Graduate Research Associate (Hedge Funds) 2022

Preqin is an award-winning, independent, research company providing data and intelligence to the financial industry. Investment professionals use Preqin’s online products to obtain key information for business-critical decision-making. Preqin’s clients include fund managers, legal firms, institutional investors, financial advisors and placement agents. Primarily a data company; Preqin is also a fast-moving fintech with a strong growth record and a world-wide staff base. Owned by our founder, directors and employee shareholders, we care passionately about our customers, brand and the employees that make it all happen.

Team overview

The Hedge Fund Research team in London is currently a 7-person team responsible for engaging and maintaining strong relationships with EMEA-based hedge fund firms. This team member will work closely with the rest of the team as well as with other departments to ensure the growth and quality of Preqin’s hedge fund data on its product, Preqin Pro.

Role overview

The Research Associate will be primarily responsible for reaching out to hedge fund managers and building relationships to obtain valuable proprietary information. This information consists of current funds and strategies managed, performance and AUM data, future plans and fundraising as some primary key data points. The role will also include handling data inquiries from the collection process, quality assurance, monitoring consistency within methodology framework and client engagement regarding our Preqin Pro product.

Responsibilities

• Proactively communicating and building relationships with key professionals of all levels within the alternative asset’s hedge fund market, to obtain valuable proprietary information on past, current and future investment activities.
• Updating Preqin's online database (CRM) with key financial information in a timely manner.
• Conducting bespoke data analysis for clients.
• Liaising with our teams in North America and APAC, as well as collaborating with other departments in the company to deliver requests and provide solutions.
• Supporting senior team members on ad-hoc research projects and getting involved in further data enhancements and developments.
• Contributing to Preqin’s research reports, blogs and publications occasionally.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree-level (ideally a 2:1 expected or achieved) or equivalent of relevant industry experience for a minimum of 1 years.
• A highly proactive and enthusiastic approach to relationship building with investor relations, marketing, business development, investment teams within hedge funds of all sizes.
• Highly organised, self-motivated and collaborative.
• Strong research capabilities and investigative instincts.
• Effective in a target-driven environment, working towards set KPIs and performance metrics.
• A basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Desirable Requirements

• Previous work experience focusing on communication and relationship management.
• A knowledge of alternative assets, and their place in the wider financial industry.
• Additional languages would be beneficial.

Company benefits

• Annual incentive bonus.
• City of London Office with complimentary on-site fitness facilities (gym, fitness classes, pool, and sauna).
• Opportunities to travel internationally to attend work-related conferences and work from other Preqin offices.
• Annual budget for professional development qualifications (IMC, CAIA, CFA, languages etc).
• Winter and summer office parties and a company-funded team social budget.
• A pension plan under auto-enrolment. After one year of service the company will enhance employer contributions to match on a one-for-one basis up to 10% of annual salary.
• Share scheme – with an annual allocation to those with over one-year service at the company at the time of allocation, subject to scheme rules.
• An interest-free season ticket loan on completion of probation.
• Access to Preqin Perks, our reward, recognition and discount platform.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Our company values

At Preqin we’re driven by our values: everything we do is in line with the six guiding principles we have set for ourselves.

• Quality Data and Solutions, Comprehensive Coverage: Preqin is the first port of call for alternatives data, research and tools.
• Customer Centricity: Our customers are the central focus of Preqin.
• Objectivity: Preqin is data led and impartial.
• Innovation: Preqin sits at the forefront of the dynamic alternatives industry.
• Collaboration: Effective communication is essential to our success.
• Personal Development: Our business is built as much on our people as it is on our data and solutions.

Our shared culture

Preqin is a fast-growing company, but we are passionate about keeping an entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of everything we do. Our aim is to deliver for our customers, but as one united, progressive, and successful team. Today, our more than 1000 people globally share six core values. We strive for quality and put our customers first. We are objective, and we innovate, collaborate, and invest in our personal development. We also have fun together. We hold social events, play sports, and celebrate our shared successes.

Covid 19 note

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Preqin has closed its offices and moved staff to work from home. Our primary goals are to ensure the safety of our employees, and to keep providing our clients with the best-in-class support they have come to expect from us. However, we have not slowed our recruitment activity due to the outbreak, and have adopted a remote interviewing, onboarding and training process. Our growth plans have not stopped, and we anticipate onboarding a significant number of staff in the coming months.