Graduate Analyst – Retail Investments

Alpha Financial Markets Consulting (Alpha) is a leading global consultancy to the financial services industry. We are a boutique management consulting firm that offers our clients a competitive edge through our unrivalled expertise and industry insight. Our team is of a uniquely high calibre and by focusing across the retail investments sector, we build deep knowledge and experience within our industry. Alpha was founded in 2003 in London, and its rapid expansion led to a successful IPO in October 2017. Our client base covers 90% of organisations in the sector, and we work with over 130 clients across the globe. We have our headquarters in the United Kingdom, as well as offices in major global financial centres across the United States, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Asia.

The Retail Investments (RI) practice was established in 2019 in order to further diversify Alpha’s industry footprint. As the asset management and life and pensions sectors continue to converge, we believe it is vitally important to both understand the heritage and nuances of the RI segments, whilst leveraging Alpha’s leading expertise to support our clients.

The RI practice works with industry leading investment platforms, adviser networks, life and pensions companies and technology providers to position their businesses for future success. We have a fast-growing team of dedicated consultants with deep experience from working both within the industry and consulting. Successful applicants should expect a diverse range of complex and strategic engagements across the market. As we continue to expand our client base and expertise, we are looking for individuals to join our team to support our growth journey.

The RI team are supporting our clients on some of the industry’s most ground-breaking and exciting engagements. The industry is undergoing a period of sustained disruption and innovation; financial advice and investment infrastructure are becoming more accessible to the mass market and retail investors are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of a ‘rainy day’ fund, seeking to plan for their future with a higher level of awareness on the options available to them. Customer expectations are evolving, with younger investors expecting a seamless, digital experience and a centralised and holistic overview of their finances. Sustainable investment considerations are becoming the norm. As an Analyst in the RI team, you will gain unique insights and perspectives that will challenge and stimulate you, as well as provide you with the foundations for a successful career.

At Alpha, we pride ourselves on working hard, delivering client projects of the highest quality, and collaboratively achieving our objectives. Our people are at the heart of everything Alpha accomplishes, which is why we value a healthy work-life balance. Amongst the several benefits our vibrant firm offers, our focus on providing a fun and social environment to employees lies at the core of our team bonding ethos. Examples of this include company funded summer trips, seasonal parties, mentor/ mentee events and peer-group activities. Furthermore, our culture strongly reflects fundamental values of Diversity & Inclusion as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), with a number of opportunities to get involved in these initiatives from day one. We are proud to have received numerous industry awards in recent years, including: Funds Europe’s “European Consultant of the Year” for 2015, 2016 and 2017, as well as inclusion in The Sunday Times’ “Top 100 Best Small Companies To Work For” – 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Information about the Alpha FMC Retail Investments Analyst Programme

New Analysts starting at Alpha are provided with a developmental two-week ‘Alpha Analyst Training Programme’ designed to provide you with key consulting skills and allowing you to meet your colleagues. All new Analysts will be provided with a combination of tool-specific training (e.g. Excel charting/ PowerPoint design), soft skill training (time management, influence without authority, presentation skills), and training in Consulting activities (preparing a cost model, producing deliverables, managing stakeholders). You will have the opportunity to meet the Alpha team, who will outline the types of client projects you can expect to work on and explain the different focus areas of Alpha. During these two weeks, Analysts will receive training to support you to begin the Investment Management Certification (IMC), which provides a high-level overview of the industry. Alongside this training period, we also organise and host multiple social events to warmly welcome you to the Alpha Team. 

Following the Alpha Analyst Training Programme, you will be ready to start supporting our RI clients. You will immediately become a key member of the team, supporting across both client work and critical business development and practice management activities. Our projects vary in length, ranging from a few weeks to around 18 months. As the industry looks to how it can evolve at the pace required to meet customer needs, Alpha is primed to support our clients; as part of our Analyst Training Programme, you can expect to be at the centre of driving the future shape of the industry.

Your day-to-day activities include attending client meetings, documenting requirements, preparing client proposal PowerPoint presentations, building financial models, and engaging in creative problem solving with Alpha colleagues. As your performance and experience develops, you will be given the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities in a truly meritocratic environment. Our Analyst position will allow you to join a dynamic team that encourages you to develop your skillset and rapidly develop your professional career with excellent experience.

Candidate Profile

We look for candidates who are eager to make an impact and fulfil the below requirements:

• Have a genuine interest in consulting and the Retail Investments industry 
• Be highly ambitious, proactive and entrepreneurial, with a ‘can do’ attitude 
• Have strong problem-solving skills and an analytical mindset 
• Willingness to be part of a team which enjoys working hard and socialising together 
• An interest in assisting with one or more areas of business management (e.g. contributions to thought leadership, Alpha proposition development, CSR)
• Have preferably completed an internship a relevant sector, e.g. professional, legal, IT or financial services

Benefits

We pride ourselves on a highly competitive graduate benefits package, including, but not limited to: 

• £35k base salary plus profit share 
• Up to £3k commutable allowance
• Mobile phone allowance 
• Your own choice of laptop
• Sponsorship towards professional certifications 
• Unrivalled career support through active and structured mentorship and buddy scheme for new joiners
• A fantastic social environment 
• An environment that values diversity, inclusion and social responsibility 
• Future opportunity to second to one of our global offices 

Application Process

There are 4 stages to the Alpha Analyst recruitment process as follows: 

• Online application, including CV upload, cognitive tests and video interview
• Telephone interview
• Remote assessment centre
• Final stage interview

You will know within 7 working days whether you have been successful between interview stages.

Thank you very much for your interest in the Alpha FMC Retail Investments Analyst Programme. Please note that applications are screened on a first come, first served basis and we recommend applying as early as possible. The assessment centres/ final stages will be held on a rolling basis until all positions have been filled. We look forward to receiving your application and meeting with you in person.