Case Study: Chief Investment Officer, Superannuation

CLIENT

legalsuper is the super fund for Australia’s legal community. It manages over $4 billion on behalf of 45,000 members. 

CHALLENGE

Due to a sudden departure of their former chief investment officer (CIO), Kaizen Recruitment was engaged to recruit both an interim CIO, while concurrently conduct an executive search process across the Australian market. 

This CIO position is critical because it comes at a time when legalsuper is strategically repositioning their investment portfolio to outperform industries peers and to use their smaller fund size as a competitive advantage.

The ideal candidate needed to have extensive investment management experience either from a fund’s management or superannuation investment background. They would be required to be hands on managing a small dynamic team, managing the entire investment portfolio, including strategic asset allocation, investment manager research and proactively engage and present to legalsuper’s investment committee.

SOLUTION

As an established specialist search firm, Kaizen was able to quickly identify an interim CIO from our existing network, with Paul Kessell being placed into the position on a contract basis.

Kaizen concurrently ran a broader market search mapping out the entire domestic fund’s management and superannuation market, proactively approaching senior investment professionals in a targeted and confidential manner.

Supporting this process was a co-branded advertising campaign which helped raise legalsuper’s employment brand within the market.

Our shortlist included five highly respected and qualified investment professionals from relevant funds management, superannuation and asset consulting backgrounds who met legalsuper’s key criteria.

Further market data on salaries and bonus structures was compiled during our research process, which was supplied to assist with the offer negotiation process.

Kaizen managed a professional, highly targeted and timely search process partnering with legalsuper’s executive leadership team assisting with interviewing, written assessments, investment committee presentations, reference checking and the offer negotiation process.

TESTIMONIAL

Candidate Testimonial: Norman Zhang, Chief Investment Officer, legalsuper

“Matt from Kaizen Recruitment worked with me closely on the chief investment officer position at legalsuper. Changing roles can be a mentally and physically challenging process and he was incredible in his support across the entire process. Matt’s dedication to finding the best candidate for the role highlights the commitment to his clients, and he also provided the candidates with the clarity and support needed so we can “put our best foot forward”.  

Matt’s level of engagement and transparency meant I immediately considered him to be a trusted partner, which is valued in the industry we operate in. I highly recommend Matt McGilton and Kaizen Recruitment to employers and candidates considering roles within superannuation.”

Kaizen Recruitment specialises financial services recruitment across funds management, wealth management, superannuation, investment consulting and insurance. We are based in Melbourne and Sydney. For assistance or further information please telephone our office at +61 3 9095 7157 or submit an online form.

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