Research Analyst (Western Asset)

About the role

Western Asset Management supports clients' financial goals and creates positive outcomes through global fixed-income management. As a Research Analyst, you will join the money market, municipal, and liquidity research teams, focusing on daily liquidity across fixed-income portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental credit research on investment-grade corporates, state-sponsored agencies, non-bank financial institutions, and global systematically important banks.
• Support investment decisions across 2a-7 and EU money market funds as well as short-duration separate accounts.
• Maintain credit files in accordance with regulatory requirements for money market funds, including daily surveillance of credit ratings, preparation of formal credit reports, and documentation of material credit developments.
• Evaluate changes in issuer credit quality by integrating market developments with fundamental analysis and supporting issuer approval decisions for money market fund eligibility.
• Serve as the sole credit authority on the trading desk, providing buy and sell recommendations to portfolio managers.
• Coordinate with risk and compliance to provide updates on ratings changes, research methodology, and ensure completion of regulatory reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with the broader global investment management team on cross-sector and cross-regional credit insights.
• Maintain ongoing professional development to stay current on market developments and regulatory changes.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience within asset management, fixed-income research, trading, portfolio analytics, treasury/cash management, or liquidity/risk analytics.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of fixed-income markets and instruments, including rates, credit, funding markets, and the drivers of market liquidity.
• Demonstrated analytical capability: comfort working with large datasets, developing repeatable analyses, and translating outputs into clear recommendations.
• Proficiency with Bloomberg and Excel; experience with data/analytics tools such as Python, SQL, R, VBA, Power BI/Tableau, or similar is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey technical concepts to portfolio managers, traders, and cross-functional partners.
• High attention to detail with strong judgment and the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, market-driven environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience within asset management, fixed-income research, trading, portfolio analytics, treasury/cash management, or liquidity/risk analytics.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of fixed-income markets and instruments, including rates, credit, funding markets, and the drivers of market liquidity.
• Demonstrated analytical capability: comfort working with large datasets, developing repeatable analyses, and translating outputs into clear recommendations.
• Proficiency with Bloomberg and Excel; experience with data/analytics tools such as Python, SQL, R, VBA, Power BI/Tableau, or similar is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey technical concepts to portfolio managers, traders, and cross-functional partners.
• High attention to detail with strong judgment and the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, market-driven environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline.

Skills

• Strong understanding of fixed-income markets and instruments, including rates, credit, funding markets, and the drivers of market liquidity.
• Demonstrated analytical capability: comfort working with large datasets, developing repeatable analyses, and translating outputs into clear recommendations.
• Proficiency with Bloomberg and Excel; experience with data/analytics tools such as Python, SQL, R, VBA, Power BI/Tableau, or similar is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey technical concepts to portfolio managers, traders, and cross-functional partners.
• High attention to detail with strong judgment and the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, market-driven environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus
• 401(k) plan with a generous match
• Recognition rewards
• Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare options, insurance, and disability benefits
• Employee stock investment program
• Learning resources, career development programs, reimbursement for certain education expenses
• Paid time off (vacation / holidays / sick / leave / parental & caregiving leave / bereavement / volunteering / floating holidays)
• A motivational wellbeing program

Pay

The base salary for this position ranges between $150,000 - $200,000 depending on level of relevant experience, plus discretionary bonus.

Schedule

This role is based in our New York office with 4 days in office.