AQR

Associate - Valuation Oversight

AQR$85K — $100K *
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in valuation with strong technical expertise
  • Deep understanding of valuation methodologies and corporate actions
  • Strong background in derivatives and their valuation
  • Proven experience with complex valuation models
  • Familiarity with SEC Rule 2a-5 and UCITS frameworks
  • Strong decision-making skills in complex scenarios
  • Proficient in SQL, Excel, Python, and Bloomberg

Responsibilities

  • Execute the valuation function end-to-end, ensuring thorough governance
  • Define and implement the valuation strategy for process and control enhancements
  • Oversee daily and periodic valuation activities, challenging pricing and analyzing exceptions
  • Apply independent judgment on valuation methodologies and assumptions
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and maintain control frameworks
  • Supervise pricing vendors, conducting due diligence and monitoring performance
  • Identify and rectify valuation risks and process gaps

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Paid time off and other leave benefits
  • Annual discretionary bonus potential
Full Job Description
Your Role

This role works in the AQR Security Valuation group which supports the firm's valuation oversight function across AQR's U.S. mutual funds, UCITS, private funds, and separate account structures. The group has end-to-end responsibility for the valuation framework, including governance, methodology oversight, escalation, and the overall control environment. The role is accountable for ensuring valuations are well governed, timely, accurate, and aligned with applicable regulatory requirements, while exercising independent judgment, providing effective challenge, and driving strong accountability across the function. This individual will help shape the future state of the valuation operating model as the platform grows in scale and complexity, while partnering closely with adjacent functions including fund treasury, risk, compliance, operations, portfolio management, legal, and third-party administrators.

The candidate is expected to:
  • Execute the valuation function end-to-end, including valuation committee materials and support of fair value determinations through established governance processes.
  • Define and execute the valuation strategy and operating model, driving process enhancements, control improvements, and scalability across asset classes and investment vehicles.
  • Oversee and actively engage in daily and periodic valuation activities, including evaluating complex and less liquid positions, challenging third-party pricing, and analyzing pricing exceptions and valuation issues, and supporting escalation through established governance processes.
  • Apply independent technical judgment to evaluate valuation methodologies, assumptions, and inputs (including models and unobservable inputs), and support well-reasoned valuation conclusions.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements (including SEC Rule 2a-5 and UCITS), maintaining a robust control and documentation framework.
  • Oversee pricing vendors and third-party service providers, including due diligence, methodology review, ongoing monitoring, and accountability for quality, transparency, and performance, as well as oversight of price challenge and escalation processes.
  • Identify valuation risks and process gaps, and proactively implement enhancements to strengthen controls, efficiency, and overall effectiveness.
  • work with auditors on valuation matters, including supporting audits and facilitating detailed review of methodologies, assumptions, and controls.
  • Design, review, and oversee complex valuation models, ensuring alignment with industry practices and regulatory expectations.

What You'll Bring

The successful candidate will possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, complex environment. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate:
  • Deep technical expertise in valuation methodologies, including the ability to evaluate and challenge models, assumptions, and pricing inputs (including unobservable inputs)
  • Strong understanding in corporate actions and the impact on daily valuation process (Right offerings, spin-offs, mergers, spacs, acquisitions etc.)
  • Strong knowledge of derivatives and the attributes needed to properly setup and value (building vendor request files / templates)
  • Experience building, reviewing, or overseeing complex valuation models, with a strong understanding of industry practices and regulatory expectations.
  • Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements, including SEC Rule 2a-5; familiarity with UCITS valuation frameworks preferred.
  • Ability to operate independently and make well-reasoned decisions in complex and judgmental valuation scenarios.
  • Experience interacting with auditors and third-party service providers, including pricing vendors and administrators.
  • High level of attention to detail, organization, and control orientation, with a focus on accuracy and risk management.
  • SQL, Excel, Python, Bloomberg, DataScope, S&P Derivative Studio/PV, FundRun


The salary range for this role is expected to be $85,000 to $100,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is accurate for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, depending upon factors such as skills, experience, location, or other business and organizational needs. This wage range may also be modified in the future.

This job is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and any other benefits to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.

About AQR

AQR Capital Management is a global investment management firm that specializes in quantitative strategies. The firm was founded in 1998 by a group of former Goldman Sachs executives, including Clifford Asness, David Kabiller, and John Liew. AQR's investment approach is based on rigorous research and data analysis, and the firm offers a range of investment products, including mutual funds, hedge funds, and separately managed accounts. AQR is known for its innovative investment strategies, including its pioneering work in the field of factor investing. Today, the firm manages over $186 billion in assets for institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals around the world.
Learn more about AQR
Size
1,200 employees
Industry

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