Portfolio Director (DFM)

Who we’re looking for

About Cazenove Capital

At Cazenove Capital we look after private individuals, families and charities. We are the wealth management business of the global investment manager Schroders. We help our clients around the world invest money to meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future.

About Schroders, our parent company

Schroders is a global investment manager which provides active asset management, wealth management and investment solutions. We aim to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We serve a diverse client base that includes pension schemes, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, high net worth individuals, family offices, as well as end clients through partnerships with distributors, financial advisers, and online platforms.

Established in 1804, we have around 5,500 people across 36 global locations. Schroders' success can be attributed to its diversified business model, spanning different asset classes, client types and geographies.

The base (London)

This is a London-based Portfolio Director role. You will be expected to be in the London office regularly, particularly during the onboarding period. The role also involves travel across the UK to support intermediary and client relationships.

The team

You will join our London investment team, responsible for discretionary portfolio management and supporting intermediary-led relationships. As a senior member of the team, you will help set the standard for investment and client service, and support the development of more junior colleagues. You will work closely with colleagues across investments, operations, risk and compliance, as well as business development, to deliver strong client outcomes and a high standard of service.

We're open to flexible working, so we can all balance our personal and professional commitments.

What you’ll do

This is a Portfolio Director role with a strong DFM / IFA (intermediary) focus.

You will hold full ownership of a book of intermediary relationships and associated discretionary portfolios, providing excellent service and robust investment oversight. You will act as a senior point of contact for intermediaries and their clients, and play a leading role in growing the intermediary book in partnership with business development colleagues, while operating within agreed governance and risk frameworks.

The DFM / IFA model (how the role operates)

• Intermediary partners (IFAs) introduce clients and remain the primary relationship owner with the end-client.
• We act as the discretionary investment manager, responsible for portfolio construction, implementation, and ongoing management within agreed objectives and suitability.
• Business development colleagues will support “door opening” and introductions; the Portfolio Director leads the relationship from there, winning confidence, articulating the investment approach, and running and retaining mandates through high-quality ongoing service.

Key responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for a book of discretionary portfolios linked to intermediary (IFA) relationships, acting as the senior investment and relationship lead.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with IFAs through responsiveness, professionalism, and credibility in external meetings.
• Lead meetings with IFAs and end-clients, clearly explaining portfolio strategy, positioning, performance, and key risks.
• Oversee the implementation of portfolio actions (rebalancing, transitions, cash management and mandate changes) in line with client objectives, suitability, mandate guidelines, and internal governance.
• Maintain strong market awareness and contribute to investment decision-making, including (where relevant) portfolios with exposure to direct securities as well as funds.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders (research, trading, operations, risk and compliance) to ensure efficient implementation and strong control standards.
• Contribute to investment governance and reporting, including portfolio commentary and materials for internal forums.
• Lead business development with intermediaries in partnership with business development colleagues: convert introductions into funded mandates, and support retention through excellent service and communication.
• Support the development of more junior colleagues through coaching, review and sharing of best practice.
• Identify and escalate portfolio, operational, or relationship risks; ensure timely remediation and accurate documentation.
• Adhere to all relevant policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need

• Significant experience in portfolio management / investment management, with a proven track record in DFM and IFA servicing.
• Strong understanding of the service model and expectations when operating via intermediaries (pace, responsiveness, relationship management, suitability).
• Confident, credible communicator with resilience and professionalism; able to represent the business at a senior level in meetings with intermediaries and clients.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail; able to manage competing priorities in a client-facing role.
• Professional investment qualification at CISI Level 7 (or equivalent).
• Typically 8+ years’ relevant experience, with evidence of managing a book of intermediary relationships and portfolios independently.
• London-based (commutable) and willing to travel across the UK.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications that will help

• Experience leading business development activity with intermediaries (networking, proposition discussions, conversion).
• Experience managing portfolios that include a blend of funds and direct securities.
• Experience mentoring or developing junior investment colleagues.
• Ability to produce client-ready materials (presentations, market updates, portfolio commentary).
• Strong working knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint; comfortable using investment data and research platforms.

We recognise potential, whoever you are

Our purpose is to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. Diversity of thought, facilitated by an inclusive culture, will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for all roles and provide reasonable accommodations to support applicants and employees, including those with neurodiversity, disability, or physical and mental health needs. For more information, please visit our FAQs.