Investing in the future

Fiona Lintott

My Job

Name: Fiona Lintott
Age: 42 years
Job title: Client services manager
Working hours: 40 hours or as required
Employer: Russell Investment Group
Pay: Industry average 80k to 95k + benefits
Qualifications needed: Bachelor in Commerce, Finance or Maths and five years' industry experience. 

Q: What do you do?

A: My role is largely about managing relationships with Russell Investment Group's distribution partners in New Zealand.

Our biggest distribution partner is ANZ Financial Advisory Services, with over 8000 New Zealanders investing in the Ascent product range. This equates to $400-plus million funds in our management.

On a day-to-day basis my responsibilities include relationship management, product development, compliance, marketing, training and education.

I organise investment and product training for new ANZ advisers, deliver seminars to investors, attend industry conferences and present at client conferences.

I also produce quarterly investment commentaries for investors and marketing and educational publications for advisers and investors.

It is important that I work closely with our other offices, particularly Sydney, to ensure that our funds are always compliant with New Zealand regulations.

Before taking on my current role I was Russell's manager of performance analytics. I was responsible for the delivery of investment-performance reports for all of Russell's New Zealand consulting clients, who have combined assets of $14 billion in New Zealand.

I was also responsible for the analytical profiling of New Zealand fund managers and the servicing of New Zealand institutional clients who invested in Russell's global multimanager funds, which has over $1 billion funds under management in New Zealand.

Q: Why did you choose the job?

A: Prior to joining Russell in 1996, I was a senior service executive for WM Company (part of the Bankers Trust group) based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where I supported their international clients in investment-performance measurement.

When I returned to New Zealand, I wanted to work in a similar role but the opportunities were very limited. A position with a well-respected organisation like Russell doesn't come along very often, so the timing was perfect.

Q: Why is the role important?

A: Relationship management of our distribution partners is critical to building our funds business in New Zealand as we are in a tough competitive market. It is vital that our funds are compliant with the requirements of New Zealand regulatory authorities and that we also keep ahead of our competitors by continually enhancing our investment products.

Q: What's the best part of the job?

A: Variety, as no two days are the same. I also love working for an organisation that values its people, is a leader in its industry and it's great to work with a team of high-calibre and fun-loving people. I am continually challenged and I never stop learning.

Q: What are your strengths?

A: I am organised and focused - I have to be otherwise the job doesn't get done!

I enjoy problem-solving - the more complex the issue, the greater the challenge. Most importantly, I genuinely believe in what I am doing. I care about people and I hope that my role will help them better understand the investment choices they make and ultimately give them the lifestyle they want.

Q: Where would you like to be in five years?

A: Still working for Russell! I would also like to spend more time working in the community. I had to recently give up my voluntary work for family and work commitments. Balance between work and life is so important and that is something I have always maintained.

Q: What job-hunting advice would you give?

A: Look to where you want to be in the future rather than what sounds attractive right now. Sometimes a sideways step can get you further ahead in the long run. The organisation you work for is as important as the job you do.

If you want a progressive, industry-leading career, look for an organisation that is progressive and a leader in its industry.