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Head of Global Asset Allocation

London, United Kingdom

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Date live: 10/11/2026

Business Area: Investments

Area of Expertise: Product Development & Management

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000137806

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Barclays Product Development & Management

In a role in Product Development & Management, you'll oversee our entire product lifecycle. Your responsibilities include gathering and prioritising product and customer requirements, defining product vision, and ensuring successful delivery and ongoing performance.

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Overall purpose of role

The purpose is to be responsible for and accountable to the Private Bank and Wealth Management (PBWM) Global Head of CIO Office, and the rest of the organisation for the PBWM quantitative strategy. The role holder will determine our Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) for all divisions across PBWM, discretionary as well as advisory. The Head of Quantitative Strategy will also oversee developing quantitative strategy views overtime, notably developing capabilities to analyse clients’ portfolio from a quantitative point of view.

The role holder will also communicate to final clients via meetings, conference calls, etc... organised by Private Bankers and IAs. The role will take full responsibility for development and positioning a “best in class” SAA advisory. Furthermore, the role includes responsibility of client satisfaction, staff engagement, revenues generation from tactical/thematic ideas linked to quantitative strategies. The successful candidate will need to ensure requisite governance, control and compliance around any decision. The purpose is to achieve an academically robust and credible framework for talking to clients about SAA and important quantitative trends in the financial industry.

Key Accountabilities

  • The role holder is responsible for the quantitative analysis views as well as the SAA that will be translated into investments and recommendations to clients.
  • The role holder will develop internal and proprietary models to reach its goals while constantly seeking opportunities to automate process and enhance resiliency in our processes.
  • Develop several sets of SAAs to address all stakeholders’ needs including listed as well as private assets .
  • The role holder will ensure that PBWM investment teams are well aware of the SAA and all quantitative views, and that those views are used to generate additional revenues and enhance the image of the private bank within the industry.
  • The PBWM Head of Quantitative Strategy will enhance the investment process for advisory, adding quantitative analysis to the current framework.
  • The candidate will oversee all quantitative strategy documents, being internal or external.
  • In conjunction with partners in operational Risk and Compliance, the role holder will ensure adequate controls are in place to minimise and mitigate operational and client risks.  This will include the design and implementation of effective systems of control as well as leading the model validation process.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will have a demonstrable track record and experience as Head of Quantitative Strategy (or senior quantitative strategist) in a top-tier institution. A PhD in a quantitative field with several years of experience successfully running a SAA is a pre-requisite. In addition, they will have a strong understanding of the Private Banking business, especially in relation to family offices and UHNW quantitative needs.

The successful candidate will also be up to date to the latest development in quantitative finance (AI, machine learning, big data, etc...). The candidate will also need to be a team player, have the capacity to work with Group stakeholders, while being able to think independently as well.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a proven ability to manage complex and relentless change and will know how to navigate a matrix environment across a variety of functions to reach outcomes that are the best for the clients and the firm.

The successful candidate will have strong internal credibility within the organisation and have the ability to interact with sophisticated clients. The candidate will also be able to adapt to his/her audience

Purpose of the role

To generate the PBWM views on financial markets and strategic asset allocation. 

Accountabilities

  • Provision of expert input and content on investment-related topics.
  • Management of product development initiatives, including oversight of colleagues and their performance, implementation of departmental goals and objectives, oversight of department efficiency and effectiveness.  .
  • Relationship management of product development stakeholders, including identifying relevant stakeholders, and maintenance of the quality of external third party services.
  • Development and implementation of policies and procedures for product development.
  • Management of product development risk, including identification of potential risks, development of strategies to mitigate those risks, and maintenance of alignment between the bank’s product development and compliance functions.  .
  • Stay up to date with of regulatory changes to ensure that all content provided to clients aligns with current requirements and standards, maintaining compliance and safeguarding the interests of both clients and the PBWM.
  • Organisation and facilitation of the PBWM main internal meetings (GMC and GIC) ensuring smooth coordination and effective communication among stakeholders.

Director Expectations

  • To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
  • They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
  • Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
  • Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
  • Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
  • Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
  • Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
  • Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
  • Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
  • Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This role may be subject to enhanced governance arrangements. If successful, you may be required to comply with additional regulatory and compliance obligations, such as disclosure of personal trading activities and external interest/affiliations.

Further information on these requirements will be provided at a later stage of the process.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Supporting active commuters

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

Time to connect

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Wellbeing in focus

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Advanced trading floors

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
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Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

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