AVP, Alternative Investments - SFGAM

Sammons Financial Group

$125K — $150K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance or related field preferred
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in institutional investment, asset management, or similar fields required
  • Significant experience in manager due diligence and underwriting alternative investments required
  • Strong knowledge of various alternative investment strategies required
  • Ability to assess manager capabilities and portfolio risks
  • Excellent communication skills for presenting investment concepts
  • Demonstrated mentoring abilities and capability to contribute to a collaborative culture

Responsibilities

  • Oversee sourcing and evaluation of alternative investment managers
  • Develop investment recommendations for various investment structures
  • Maintain relationships with general partners and industry participants
  • Evaluate performance and governance of assigned managers
  • Conduct due diligence processes in collaboration with stakeholders
  • Present investment recommendations and portfolio reviews to leadership
  • Support portfolio management activities with various business partners

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision
  • Competitive compensation with performance-based incentives
  • Company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and 401(k) enrollment
  • Generous paid time off and paid holidays
  • Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
  • Volunteer time off and nonprofit matching gift program
  • Values-driven workplace fostering accountability and growth
Full Job Description
What You Can Expect In This Role

Oversee and manage Sammons Financial Group Asset Management's alternative investment portfolio in partnership with the VP, Alternative Investments. Lead sourcing, due diligence, underwriting, portfolio construction analysis, manager oversight, and governance activities across private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds, real assets, and other alternative investment strategies.Serve as a senior investment professional responsible for evaluating new investment opportunities, monitoring existing manager relationships, assessing portfolio risks and opportunities, and developing investment recommendations consistent with portfolio objectives, liquidity requirements, risk tolerances, and insurance company investment considerations.Utilize deep knowledge of institutional alternative investments, manager selection, portfolio construction, and governance to support disciplined investment decision making and portfolio oversight.
What You'll Do In This Role
• Lead sourcing, evaluation, due diligence, underwriting, and selection of alternative investment managers and investment opportunities.
• Develop investment recommendations across primary fund commitments, secondary investments, co-investments, and other alternative investment structures.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with general partners, consultants, placement agents, and other industry participants.
• Oversee assigned manager relationships, including performance evaluation, organizational monitoring, governance review, and assessment of investment risks.
• Evaluate portfolio construction, commitment pacing, liquidity profile, diversification, vintage year exposure, and risk-return characteristics across the alternatives portfolio.
• Lead investment, operational, organizational, legal, and qualitative due diligence processes in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Review and negotiate partnership agreements, side letters, fund economics, governance provisions, and related investment documentation.
• Participate in Limited Partner Advisory Committee (LPAC) activities and governance matters for assigned investments.
• Analyze portfolio performance, valuation developments, risk exposures, and manager-specific developments and provide recommendations as appropriate.
• Prepare and present investment recommendations, portfolio reviews, and risk assessments to investment leadership and governance bodies.
• Partner with Accounting, Risk, Treasury, Tax, Actuarial, Legal, Compliance, and other business partners to support portfolio management activities.
• Support forecasting of capital calls, distributions, liquidity needs, Net asset value (NAV) growth, and investment returns.
• Contribute to enhancements of investment processes, governance frameworks, portfolio analytics, and reporting capabilities.
• Mentor and develop investment professionals while fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Represent Sammons at annual meetings, industry conferences, due diligence meetings, and other external engagements.
• Drive and reinforce commitment to internal controls processes such as those under Model Audit Rule and Record Information Management.
• Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Accountability, Connection, Openness, Respect and Integrity).
• As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.
• Participate in other initiatives and/or projects as necessary.
What We're Looking For

  • Bachelor's Degree in Finance or related field Preferred
  • Minimum 10 years' of institutional investment, alternative investment, manager research, asset management, investment consulting, Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO), private markets, endowment, foundation, pension, or related experience Required
  • Significant experience conducting manager due diligence and underwriting alternative investment Required
  • Strong knowledge of private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, hedge funds, and related alternative investment strategies Required
  • Experience evaluating portfolio construction, commitment pacing, liquidity management, and manager selection Required
  • Experience presenting investment recommendations to senior leadership and governance forums Preferred
  • Insurance general account investment experience Preferred
  • Familiarity with statutory accounting, Risk-Based Capital (RBC) considerations, Schedule BA reporting, Asset Liability Management (ALM), and insurance investment frameworks Preferred
  • Ability to assess manager capabilities, organizational quality, investment process, governance, and portfolio risks
  • Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to present investment concepts and recommendations clearly
  • Strong relationship management, collaboration, stakeholder engagement, attention to detail, self-initiative, and accountability
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop others and contribute to a collaborative, performance-driven culture
  • Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives, meet deadlines, and support disciplined governance and control processes
  • CFA, CAIA, MBA, or similar professional designation Preferred
  • 20% Travel

Other Requirements
• Due to the financial nature and level of accountability of this position, a credit and criminal background check is required - The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires Sammons Financial Group Companies to notify you that, as a routine part of processing this application for employment, Sammons Financial Group may request a consumer report on you to verify all information contained in this application. Such report may include information about work-related behaviors, performance, character, general reputation, and personal characteristics, in addition to information about your previous employment, education, credit history and criminal records
• This role will be subject to a SEC compliance program, which can include monitoring personal securities transactions, restrictions on outside business activities, as well as other oversight and restrictions.

What you can expect when you join Sammons Financial Group
Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA & FSA options, and term life insurance.
Competitive compensation with a performance-based incentive program tied to clear goals and individual and/or company success.
Invest in your future with our 100% company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), plus automatic enrollment in our 401(k).
Work-life balance that means something. Friday afternoons off year-round, generous paid time off, and paid holidays.
Commit to your growth with paid development time, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities across industry, individual, and leadership programs.
Make an impact beyond the workplace through volunteer time off, and our company nonprofit matching gift program, supporting the causes that matter most to you.
An ownership culture that inspires; join a connected, values-driven workplace where employees take accountability, support one another, and are empowered to do their best work-together shaping our future shared success.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we're not considering candidates that need any type of immigration sponsorship now or in the future or those needing work authorization for this role (This includes, but is not limited to students on F1-OPT, F1-CPT, J-1, etc.)
Additional Information

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