Portfolio Analyst - Fixed Income & FX

About the role

Kernel is growing! Y ou will support the portfolio managers in managing New Zealand and global fixed income portfolios and executing foreign exchange hedging strategies. This role involves monitoring interest rate, credit and basis risk to help optimise portfolio performance while contributing to investment decision making, trading activity and portfolio operations.

What you’ll do

• Assisting with portfolio management duties including trade booking, reconciliations, cash management, P&L and performance monitoring
• Analysing and optimising portfolio positioning
• Executing fixed income and FX trades
• Monitoring portfolio and market risks
• Collecting, organising and analysing data
• Maintaining and enhancing financial models
• Supporting reporting and responding to queries from across the business, including customer service, risk and senior leadership
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, reporting and analytical capability

About you

You may already have experience in financial markets, banking, funds management, treasury, fixed income or FX, or you may come from a highly analytical background such as mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, computer science or another quantitative discipline, with a genuine interest in investment markets.

You'll be naturally curious, analytically minded and comfortable working through complex problems. You don't need every step mapped out for you, but you know how to ask good questions, learn quickly and make progress independently. You'll enjoy working in a small team where people think for themselves, challenge ideas constructively and focus on delivering high quality outcomes.

You're the kind of person who spots problems, takes ownership and looks for solutions without waiting to be told what to do. You combine strong analytical thinking with sound judgement, attention to detail and a genuine interest in how financial markets work.

You'll bring

• Relevant education in finance, economics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, computer science or another highly analytical discipline
• Strong analytical and problem solving capability
• Confidence working with data, models and analytical tools
• Experience with coding, advanced Excel, databases, Power Query or similar tools would be highly regarded
• A proactive, self-directed approach to work
• Excellent attention to detail and work standards
• Experience in fixed income, FX, banking, treasury or funds management advantageous, but not essential for candidates with exceptional analytical capability and a genuine interest in financial markets
• The ability to personally write a relevant and concise cover letter outlining why you would be a strong fit for the role

Why You’ll Love it at Kernel

• Shape investment products in a way no other fintech in New Zealand is approaching, connecting everyday financial goals with intuitive and customer centric design.
• Contribute to a platform trusted by tens of thousands of Kiwis, helping them feel more confident and in control of their money.
• Competitive compensation package
• Enjoy the best of both worlds with a flexible hybrid setup, connect in person while keeping the freedom to work from home up to couple of days each week (minimum 3 days/week in the office).
• Health insurance, parental leave top-up, and professional development support
• Extra staff holidays, office snacks, coffee, and a dog-friendly environment

You'll be joining a business that values ownership, strong thinking, intellectual curiosity and practical problem solving. As we continue to grow, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside experienced investment professionals and gain exposure across fixed income portfolios, FX hedging, trading, risk management and investment decision making.

For the right person, this role provides an exceptional foundation for a long term career in investments, with significant scope to develop your capability, broaden your responsibilities and grow alongside the business.

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