The fall campus recruitment drive has officially commenced, marking a peak season for talent acquisition in the public fund industry. According to reports, more than 20 asset management firms, including E Fund Management, China Southern Asset Management, GF Fund Management, Tianhong Asset Management, and Invesco Great Wall, have already announced their open campus recruitment openings.
The hiring plans across these institutions are broadly categorized into four main tracks: investment research, sales and marketing, operations, and fintech. While each firm places varying levels of emphasis on different functions, investment research and sales remain the traditional pillars of recruitment. Simultaneously, as fintech continues to evolve and integrate deeply into the operational chains of asset managers, the value of professionals with expertise in AI and financial technology has surged.
Substantial Focus on Investment Research Roles
Autumn campus recruitment presents a vital opportunity for public fund institutions to bring in fresh talent, replenish their workforce, and build a long-term pipeline for the future. Investment research roles emerge as the core battlefield for attracting new hires. Some firms have structured their recruitment matrices comprehensively, covering research, sales, operations, and technology, yet the allocation for investment research positions is notably heavier.
Zhang Cuixia, chief investment advisor at Shaanxi Jufeng Investment Consulting, noted that investment research talent forms a cornerstone of competitive strength in the public fund sector. Since research capabilities directly determine the performance of fund products, institutions are actively shifting toward platform-based and multi-strategy integrated research systems, which in turn drives sustained demand for analysts. For instance, Bosera Asset Management has outlined 22 autumn openings, with 7 in investment research and trading, 5 in sales, 7 in operations, and 3 in fintech. The research track encompasses roles like macro analyst, index quantitative analyst, and FOF analyst. Meanwhile, ICBC Credit Suisse Asset Management lists 10 positions under its "Professional Talent" program, focusing on areas such as active quantitative research, credit research, quant strategies, and macro rates.
Sales and marketing positions also constitute a key channel in campus hiring. Invesco Great Wall, for example, has launched a dedicated "Sales Rising Star" competition to identify charismatic and driven candidates passionate about sales. Several institutions are pursuing a dual-track approach, emphasizing both research and sales. Minsheng Royal Fund positions its campus roles across quantitative investment, fixed-income quant, industry research, convertible bonds, FOF, and channel distribution. First Seafront Fund is hiring industry researchers covering healthcare, high-end manufacturing, and financials, alongside market-facing roles in institutional and channel sales.
AI Expertise Emerges as a Critical Demand
One of the most notable shifts in recent fund industry recruitment is the growing emphasis on AI and fintech talent. Some firms have set up entirely separate recruitment tracks for technology-savvy candidates. E Fund Management, for instance, has dedicated an "AI Talent Program" on its website, featuring 21 open positions that span machine learning algorithm engineering, full-stack AI development, and AI data roles, as well as specialized research positions in asset allocation and quantitative investment. China Southern Asset Management has carved out a fintech track for its 2027 campus intake, targeting candidates for advanced AI roles, tech R&D, and quantitative business, with positions like AI framework engineer and AI evaluation engineer.
Other firms are following suit by introducing AI-centric roles. SYWG Asset Management has launched a fintech track for AI and financial engineering talent. ICBC Credit Suisse separates its hiring into "Professional Talent" and "Tech Elite," with the latter including AI engineers and data development engineers.
Yang Delong, chief economist and fund manager at First Seafront Fund, pointed out that the widespread adoption of AI enables asset managers to enhance investment management capabilities and build auxiliary research tools, thereby fueling demand for relevant specialization. He anticipates that future hiring may increasingly favor candidates with AI application skills, particularly those with backgrounds in computer science and artificial intelligence. Zhang Cuixia added that competition for AI professionals essentially reflects a contest for future core competitiveness, as institutions that move quickly to establish AI capabilities can secure a first-mover advantage in the marketplace.