‘Non-traditional investors’? The work and career experiences of Australian women working in investment management

Abstract

This report forms part of a larger study of women working in three highly male-dominated sectors and occupations: investment management, automotive trades, and pilots. In Australia, women comprise 17 per cent of employees in investment management occupations, 1.5 per cent of automotive tradespeople, and 6 per cent of commercial pilots.1 In this report we profile the work and career experiences of women in investment management occupations using data collected in 2018. We analysed data drawn from three sources: 10 face-to-face and telephone interviews with industry stakeholders; an online survey of 124 female employees in investment management occupations; and telephone interviews with 17 survey respondents and 3 self-employed women working in the sector. Most survey respondents were aged 35-54 years, held middle-ranking or senior positions, and had worked in investment management for more than 11 years. Just under two-thirds had children and the majority worked full-time hours. The largest proportions worked in superannuation funds and major funds management organisations, as analysts, senior analysts or portfolio/investment managers.