Wang Wei is a Senior Vice President in the Risk & Performance Management Department. As part of the Enterprise Risk & Performance team in the Singapore office, she is responsible for managing the risk of GIC’s top-of-the-house portfolios. Her team provides an independent and objective view of investment risk and performance drivers for the GIC Portfolio, ensuring that all relevant risks are considered and duly addressed.
Outside of work, Wang Wei is a huge fan of staying active—weights training and running are two of her go-to workouts. She has a passion for Japanese language, and she finds that watching Japanese dramas helps her maintain her fluency. And that is not all—she is also currently learning French. Her son attends a French international school here in Singapore, so she is excited to be able to speak the language with him and deepen his understanding of this beautiful culture.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
When I was considering my career options, I knew that I wanted to work for a company that could offer me the chance to grow and develop as a professional. GIC stood out to me because of its large assets under management and diverse range of assets. This would be an environment where I could broaden my knowledge and take my career to the next level. GIC also offers fantastic employee benefits and robust support for career learning, which was a huge draw for me. I wanted to work for a company that invests in its employees and gives them the tools they need to succeed.
Most importantly, I was excited to join a team of strong, collaborative colleagues who work together to drive growth and fulfilment for both ourselves and the company. All these factors made GIC an obvious choice for me, and I am so glad that I made the decision to join this incredible organisation.
What does your typical workday look like?
I am a creature of habit, and my morning routine is one of the things that keeps me grounded and focused as I tackle each new day. I make sure to stay on top of the latest market moves and sell-side research by reading up on my commute. Before even setting foot in the office, I hit the gym to energise myself for the day ahead. Once I arrive at work, I fuel up with a cup of coffee and dive headfirst into my emails. With multiple tasks on my plate, I prioritise urgent projects first, but if the day is relatively quiet, I will focus on projects that require longer, uninterrupted periods of time.
Interacting with various GIC colleagues during meetings is an essential aspect of my job. To be efficient, I strive to keep meetings concise while ensuring that all necessary topics are covered. One recurring meeting example is a roundtable with our chief investment officers, portfolio managers, and economists. During these meetings, we discuss economic cycles, recent market movements such as changes in central bank rates, or geopolitical events. I also share my views on how this information could impact our portfolio performance.
What do you like most about working here?
Our work here at GIC is incredibly impactful, as we focus on analysing and advising at the total portfolio level. This means that our assessments and recommendations have the potential to make a huge difference for the organisation and its stakeholders. For me, this is a huge motivator to go deeper and push myself further in my work, knowing that the work I do can truly make a difference.
One project that I am particularly proud of is my work on enhancing the risk currency framework, which helps us to better manage GIC’s portfolio currency risk. Of course, this project also came with its fair share of challenges—from navigating the different structures and data availability of various assets to understanding the unique implications of different investment processes and theses. But for me, these challenges were a source of fascination and growth, as I had the opportunity to learn about new instruments, assets, and portfolio management strategies.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
I have been fortunate to receive dedicated support from GIC for my career development. One area where I have made considerable progress is in my coding skills. Thanks to the resources and training provided by GIC, I have been able to take my abilities to the next level. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to attend many courses through GIC School, which have helped me to develop skills such as people management, teamwork, and achieving work-life balance. These skills are particularly valuable as we progress into more senior roles and navigate complex team dynamics and competing priorities.
What you should know before joining GIC
Data is everywhere, but what sets you apart is your ability to make sense of it and form your own unique narratives. While traditional media sources can provide helpful context and spark discussions, it is ultimately your original thought and perspective that counts the most. Having lively debates and discussions among colleagues is often far more productive than reading financial news sources about dot plots.
But here is the thing: no matter how experienced you are, there is always someone out there who can challenge you and push you to be better. When you embrace this mindset, you open yourself up to endless opportunities for growth and improvement. Use it as a motivation to keep pushing yourself to be the best you can be. With a humble mindset and a desire for self-improvement, there is no limit to how far you can go.