Trader

WHO IS WESTERN ASSET

Western Asset Management focuses on supporting our clients’ financial goals and creating positive outcomes for all kinds of people. Primarily a globally integrated fixed-income manager, we source ideas and investment solutions worldwide, with an emphasis on long-term fundamental value investing, using multiple diversified strategies.

Western Asset is a global asset management firm renowned for its expertise in fixed-income investments. Operating as a cohesive team, we leverage an open, integrated investment platform to deliver superior results. Our collegial team culture is a significant asset, enabling us to harness the combined experience and fixed-income acumen of our investment professionals worldwide. With approximately $225 billion USD in fixed income strategies managed globally, we pride ourselves on our dedication to excellence and collaborative spirit.

Western Asset is owned by Franklin Templeton, a diversified firm that spans asset management, wealth management, and fintech, giving us many ways to help investors make progress toward their goals. With clients in over 150 countries and offices on six continents, you’ll get exposed to different cultures, people, and business development happening around the world.

As a Trader supporting Western Asset’s Investment Grade team in Pasadena, CA you will play a direct role in shaping global fixed‑income portfolios, contributing actively to investment decision‑making. Working at the intersection of risk, liquidity, and macro insight, you will partner closely with portfolio managers and research analysts to influence positioning, generate ideas, and optimize portfolio outcomes. This is a highly collaborative role within a globally integrated investment platform.

What you will do

• Execute alpha generating  trades across various corporate subsectors for a variety of fixed income strategies and mandates.
• Operate as a trusted trading partner to Portfolio Managers and actively contribute to portfolio outcomes.
• Generate market insight and research ideas within assigned markets, including relative‑value analysis across all sectors of the corporate bond market.
• Develop and maintain strong counterparty relationships, gathering and communicating market intelligence on liquidity, flows, and pricing dynamic.
• Identify and recommend relative value opportunities within and across all corporate subsectors.
• Actively participate in global team and firm-wide investment strategy meetings.
• Engage with clients and external stakeholders where appropriate, representing Western Asset’s trading and investment viewpoint

What you bring

• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience trading, working on an investment team, or managing risk in fixed income markets.
• Knowledge of macro research and portfolio management with desire for personal and professional growth and the desire to take on fresh challenges.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to explain and justify trade recommendations.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Experience and comfort using trading analytics, a variety of trading platforms (Tradeweb, Market Axess, Bloomberg, Trumid, etc, data analysis, and advanced Excel.
•  Intellectual curiosity and sound decision‑making under pressure.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, with an ability to make decisions based on logic, reason and knowledge.
• A collaborative mindset and genuine interest in contributing to a global investment team.
• Undergraduate degree required; CFA or MBA is preferred  

Expected base salary for the role will generally be between $135,000 - $165,000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base salary if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include other forms of compensation such as, discretionary bonuses, short and long-term incentive packages, and Company-sponsored benefit programs. 

About Western Asset

At Western Asset we’re saying hello to the future. Committed to being the leading fixed-income investment management firm in the world, we’re investing in new technologies, methodologies and markets. We’re also investing in our people. Our business is guided by a belief in doing the right thing: that if we treat our clients and colleagues with fairness and respect, success will follow. We’re building on our reputation and resources with an entrepreneurial approach that drives innovation. Every day is an opportunity for us to get better by making the most of the possibilities that our people and ideas can bring.

We believe an inclusive and respectful workplace promotes the formation of different ideas and viewpoints, enhances independent thinking, and helps create a work environment where the best ideas are identified and implemented. We are committed to unlocking the potential of our team by providing an inclusive and supportive environment that offers everyone the chance to grow personally, advance professionally, and participate fully in the Firm’s success.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ("EEO")

Western Asset Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition (including pregnancy and related conditions), physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, and/or any other characteristic protected by law.

Link to Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: https://westernasset.com/careers/careers-site/common/pdfs/EQUAL_EMPLOYMENT_OPPORTUNITY.pdf

Join our talent pool

We’re always on the look-out for creative, curious, collaborative, and entrepreneurial individuals. Even if you don’t see any current opportunities that match your skills, we’d still like to hear from you. Sign up for our Talent Pool and we’ll get in touch when something suitable comes up.

Register today and build your own searchable profile ready for our hiring managers to view. All you need is a few basic details and an up-to-date copy of your resume ready to upload. We support .rtf, .docx, .doc, .txt and .pdf files, provided they are smaller than 2MB.