POSITION TITLE: Fixed Income Portfolio Manager

COMPANY PROFILE:  Argent Financial Group (Argent) is a leading, independent, fiduciary wealth management firm. Responsible for more than $105 billion in client assets, Argent provides individuals, families, businesses, and institutions with a broad range of wealth management services, including trusts and estate planning, investment management, ESOPs, retirement plan consulting, funeral and cemetery trusts, charitable organization administration, oil and gas (mineral) management, and other unique financial services. Headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana, Argent was formed in 1990 and traces its roots back to 1930.

POSITION SUMMARY:  We are seeking a skilled, collaborative, and market-savvy Fixed Income Portfolio Manager / Trader to join our Core Fixed Income team. This is a multi-faceted role combining trading, portfolio construction, research, individual credit analysis, and client engagement. You will manage and execute trades across investment-grade fixed income market including corporate, municipal, and structured products while playing a central role in strategy development, risk monitoring, and portfolio analytics.

This position requires deep fixed income knowledge, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative environment. You’ll work closely with seasoned investment teams, relationship managers, and operations professionals to deliver investment solutions.

 Key Responsibilities:

 Trading & Execution

• Execute buy and sell orders across a wide range of fixed income securities, including municipals, corporate bonds, and ETFs, in accordance with portfolio mandates and compliance guidelines.
• Interact with broker-dealers, authorized participants (APs), and market makers to facilitate liquidity.
• Monitor market conditions (individual credits, liquidity, NAV deviations, bid/ask spreads) and identify trade opportunities across sectors and products.
• Use electronic trading platforms as well as traditional methods (Bloomberg, Tradeweb, MarketAxess, etc.) to ensure efficient execution and best pricing.
• Manage cash flows and contribute to liquidity forecasts to support daily trading activity.
• Conduct pre-trade and post-trade compliance checks and ensure accurate allocations, confirmations, and settlement processes.

Portfolio Management & Construction

• Contribute to the construction, rebalancing, and ongoing management of diversified fixed income portfolios tailored to client objectives.
• Monitor portfolios for adherence to investment policies, risk parameters and regulatory standards.
• Conduct scenario and risk analysis to guide yield curve positioning and sector allocation.
• Evaluate relative value opportunities and track credit quality across sectors.
• Collaborate with internal investment committees and contribute to firm-wide asset allocation decisions.

Research & Strategy

• Perform credit analysis and macroeconomic research to support investment recommendations/decisions.
• Assist in evaluating and selecting third-party managers, mutual funds, and ETFs for inclusion in client portfolios.
• Support the development of forward-looking investment themes and actionable trade ideas.

  Client Collaboration & Communication

• Support relationship managers in crafting investment strategies and setting portfolio objectives.
• Participate in portfolio reviews, client meetings, and business development efforts.
• Clearly communicate investment rationale and complex market concepts to clients and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in fixed income trading required; portfolio management, or investment research experience preferred.
• Proven experience with investment-grade municipal and corporate bond markets.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field; CFA designation or active candidacy preferred but not required.
• Proficiency with Bloomberg and Excel required; experience with BondEdge®, APX, Clearwater Analytics, or Moxy is a plus.
• Familiarity with electronic trading systems (e.g., Tradeweb, MarketAxess) and compliance monitoring tools.

Key Attributes

• High integrity and professionalism with a client-first mindset.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strategic thinker with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Passion for markets, continuous learning, and innovation.
• Ability to operate independently while collaborating across teams.