2022 Internship Program Equities

Job Description

abrdn plc is one of the world’s largest investment companies, and we are built on a long-standing culture of caring about the future and making a positive impact. Together we invest for a better future. We do it to make a difference to the lives of our clients and customers, our employees, society, and our shareholders. Our strategy is to build a vibrant and value-creating purpose-led organization, with the current and future needs of our stakeholders at the heart of all we do.

Grow Sustainably Early Careers 2022 Internship Programme – Asia Pacific Equities, Australia

The Australian Equities Team is looking for an intern, preferably a final year student to join our Grow Sustainably Early Careers Internship Programme running from July - December 2022 in our Sydney office. This internship is no ordinary 6-month placement. You will be given real work with tangible outputs mentored by senior asset management professionals, and experience working across borders with your regional interns to lead a people engagement project. You will also will be participating in an 8-week learning course with the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership, in addition to other early careers development opportunities. There is also a potential for conversion to a permanent role at the end of the internship.

We have been investing in Asia for 30 years and have a large on the ground footprint in the region. We embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors throughout our active investment process. Our aim is to enhance potential value for investors, reduce risk – and, ultimately foster companies that can contribute positively to the world. A key part of this internship will be learning the basics of ESG integration and engagement, and understanding what is sustainable investing and what role ESG plays in your particular function. This on the job learning will be enhanced and complimented by your 8 week online Sustainable Finance course at the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership. And is in addition to the broader investment process of identifying high quality companies that are being mispriced by the market.

Roles and Responsibilities

You will report to the Head of Australian Equities, supporting the team in managing equity funds in line with client mandates. You will contribute to managing outcome orientated fund strategies.  Working across the Equities Investment team, contribute to continuous improvements to investment process and procedures that reduce errors, improve investment excellence, collaboration and client engagement. This job description below provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.

• Undertake deep financial analysis of listed companies, including company results
• Prepare company research reports with consideration given to ESG and sustainability factors
• Actively participate in company and analyst meetings
• Undertake ad-hoc mini projects at the request of fund managers
• Engage and collaborate with the equities team

Key Skills, Qualifications & Experience

We are looking for motivated candidates with the following attributes:

• Excellent academic background in a numerically focused discipline, a strong interest in the financial/investment field is preferred
• Broad co-curricular activities/ leadership track record
• Open to consider candidates with a liberal arts and science background, if there is sufficient evidence of interest in financial analysis and/or ESG
• Strong analytical and time management skills
• Communication skills: Can clearly and effectively communicate both written and verbally
• Team player
• Independent thinker, not afraid to question the status quo
• Inquisitive mindset, ability to bring new perspectives and apply them to the financial markets
• Self-motivated and passionate to pursue a career in investments

We passionately believe in diversity in our workforce and welcome enquiries from all regardless of gender, race, ethnicity. 

We will be flexible regarding days/hours worked and will accommodate university study requirements. We expect the successful interns to commit to a minimum of 20 hours per week in an average week.