Skip to main content

Important notice: Protect yourself from recruitment scams. Learn more.

?
Helpdesk
Click here to connect with our resourcing helpdesk team

Director - Research

Singapore, Singapore

Apply for job

Date live: 09/02/2026

Business Area: Macro Research

Area of Expertise: Research

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000130462

hero image
Apply for job

Barclays Research

In the Research team, you'll drive the efficiency and advancement of research processes, generating valuable insights that optimise research outcomes for Barclays. Your work will support the organisation in making informed decisions and staying ahead in the industry.

See your commute

Explore locations

Purpose of the Role

To generate differentiated macro, FX and rates research and actionable trade recommendations across Emerging Asian markets, helping clients navigate market developments and identify investment opportunities. The role will contribute to Barclays' thought leadership, strengthen institutional client relationships, and enhance the firm's research franchise across Asian markets.

Job Description

Barclays is seeking an experienced senior strategist to join its Asia FX & Rates Strategy Research team. The successful candidate will combine deep macroeconomic expertise, quantitative rigour and strong market intuition to deliver high-conviction investment views across Emerging Asia FX and local rates markets.The role requires a recognised market practitioner with a strong track record of producing differentiated research, developing actionable trade recommendations, and engaging with institutional investors. The successful candidate will work closely with economists, cross-asset strategists, sales and trading teams, while playing a leading role in shaping Barclays' research agenda across Asia.

Key Responsibilities

  • Senior role in research coverage of Emerging Asia FX and rates markets, developing differentiated views on macroeconomic, policy, valuation, flow and technical drivers.
  • Generate high-conviction trade recommendations across FX, government bonds, money markets, swaps, futures and cross-market relative value opportunities.
  • Develop proprietary analytical frameworks and quantitative models to enhance forecasting, scenario analysis, risk assessment and idea generation.
  • Publish timely, insightful and commercially relevant research that combines rigorous analysis with clear investment implications for clients.
  • Drive thematic research initiatives on key regional and global macroeconomic issues, including monetary policy, capital flows, geopolitics and structural market developments.
  • Analyse central bank policy, fiscal developments, balance-of-payments dynamics and investor flows across Asia to identify emerging market opportunities and risks.
  • Collaborate closely with economists, equity strategists, credit strategists and global macro teams to deliver integrated cross-asset investment views.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with institutional investors, including asset managers, hedge funds, sovereign investors, banks and corporate clients.
  • Represent Barclays' research views through client meetings, roadshows, conferences, webinars, media engagement and other external forums.
  • Partner closely with sales and trading teams to ensure research remains relevant, actionable and aligned with client requirements.
  • Contribute to the development of the broader research franchise through thought leadership, innovation and mentorship of junior team members.
  • Maintain the highest standards of analytical integrity, regulatory compliance and professional conduct.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Significant experience in FX strategy, rates strategy, macro research, economics, trading or related financial market roles, with a strong focus on Asian markets.
  • Deep understanding of Emerging Asia macroeconomics, central bank policy, foreign exchange markets, local rates markets and cross-asset interactions.
  • Demonstrated track record of generating actionable investment ideas and communicating investment views to institutional investors.
  • Strong quantitative and analytical capabilities, including experience in econometric modelling, forecasting, scenario analysis and market strategy development.
  • Proven ability to develop differentiated views, challenge consensus thinking and translate complex analysis into clear investment recommendations.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-impact client-facing research and deliver compelling presentations to senior investor audiences.
  • Strong programming and data analysis capabilities, particularly in Python, with experience in quantitative research and working with large datasets.
  • Demonstrated ability to leverage AI, data science and emerging technologies to enhance research productivity, modelling, idea generation and client engagement.
  • Strong commercial judgement and market awareness, with the ability to identify themes and opportunities that matter to clients.
  • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced global environment, managing multiple priorities while delivering to tight deadlines.
  • Experience collaborating across functions and regions within a global financial institution.
  • Fluency in English is required. Mandarin or another Asian language would be advantageous.

Preferred Characteristics

  • Established reputation among institutional investors and market participants.
  • Strong client engagement skills and experience building a successful investor franchise.
  • Intellectual curiosity, independent thinking and a passion for financial markets.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to develop innovative research products and analytical frameworks.
  • Strong leadership qualities with a willingness to mentor colleagues and contribute to team development.

Purpose of the role

To produce and deliver Research with differentiated market insights and actionable ideas to Barclays Clients. 

Accountabilities

  • Analysis of market, sector, corporate and/or economic data to help develop investment theses for your coverage universe to produce best in class Research.
  • Research may range from individual company or sector notes, through to long dated thematic reports.
  • Presentation of Research views to Barclays Clients; this can be through direct, face to face and virtual interactions, Research hosted events and written communications.
  • Engagement with Markets, Client Strategy and other stakeholders, to raise awareness of your Research both to Clients and internally. Prioritise interaction with the most relevant and valuable Clients for your Research.
  • Provision of insights and Research views to internal Clients to help them navigate financial markets and risks.
  • Collaboration with the Supervisory Analyst, Compliance and other stakeholders to ensure Research is produced and delivered to Clients and internal stakeholders in a compliant manner.

Director Expectations

  • To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
  • They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
  • Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
  • Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
  • Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
  • Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
  • Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
  • Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
  • Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
  • Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This role may be subject to enhanced governance arrangements. If successful, you may be required to comply with additional regulatory and compliance obligations, such as disclosure of personal trading activities and external interest/affiliations.

Further information on these requirements will be provided at a later stage of the process.

This is Barclays Singapore

Barclays has been a strong presence in Singapore for over 50 years. Our office is carefully designed to optimise the well-being of our colleagues. The center itself is an integrated live-work-play development, with shops, restaurants, gyms and an alfresco dining area.

Located in Marina Bay, you will have convenient options to commute, excellent views, and access to a range of amenities.

We’re utilising cutting-edge technology to deploy eco-friendly facilities like a eco-farm to cultivate fresh produce in our office.

Singapore is one of the wealthiest and safest cities in the world with low crime rates and zero corruption.

Our colleagues here in Singapore come from all around the world to create a richly diverse, wholly inclusive environment.

This is Barclays Singapore

Barclays has been a strong presence in Singapore for over 50 years. Our office is carefully designed to optimise the well-being of our colleagues. The center itself is an integrated live-work-play development, with shops, restaurants, gyms and an alfresco dining area.

Great location

Located in Marina Bay, you will have convenient options to commute, excellent views, and access to a range of amenities.

Sustainability and innovation

We’re utilising cutting-edge technology to deploy eco-friendly facilities like a eco-farm to cultivate fresh produce in our office.

A great city to live in

Singapore is one of the wealthiest and safest cities in the world with low crime rates and zero corruption.

A vibrant community

Our colleagues here in Singapore come from all around the world to create a richly diverse, wholly inclusive environment.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
How to ApplyRead our FAQ's
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

Find more information

Related content

Related Jobs


Emerging Markets Asia FX & Rates Strategist

Singapore (Singapore)

19 Aug