Investment Officer - Quantitative Analytics

Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois

$145K — $227K *
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or related field required.
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation or progress towards it preferred.
  • Minimum of two years of relevant investment experience required, preferably in specific asset classes.
  • Background in due diligence and sourcing preferred.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills essential for the role.

Responsibilities

  • Source and evaluate investment managers and structures for proposals.
  • Conduct thorough due diligence on prospective investment management relationships.
  • Analyze performance of existing investments and compliance with directives.
  • Prepare detailed reports on investment portfolios and market factors.
  • Research innovative investment strategies for enhanced returns.
  • Manage relationships with external investment managers and facilitate co-investments.
  • Assist in developing junior investment analysts' skill sets.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage included in the benefits package.
  • Participation in the TRS retirement pension plan is mandatory.
  • Options to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans.
  • Comprehensive benefits program applicable to full and part-time employees.
Full Job Description
Job Summary:
The Investment Officer is a mid-senior level investment professional in the Investments Department. Under the direction of senior Investment staff, the Investment Officer assists in coordinating and monitoring investments within the Teachers' Retirement System Global Income Strategies portfolio.

The Investment Officer is responsible primarily for portfolio management with a specific focus on areas such as private credit, low duration, core and core plus, emerging market debt, and global multi-sector credit investments. The incumbent must be able to work independently, conduct thorough analysis and due diligence, and produce quantifiable recommendations supported by this research. This position requires a thorough knowledge of general investment theory. The incumbent must be able to function effectively in stressful situations and possess a high degree of skill in both oral and written communications.

Essential Functions:
  • Help source, evaluate, and prepare analyses and proposals for investments in new potential investment managers and structures.
  • Evaluate the qualifications of prospective investment management relationships in accordance with investment policy, asset allocation directives and mix, diversification strategies and guidelines controlling risk/return characteristics for Global Income Strategy portfolio.
  • Research the investment performance and portfolio characteristics of existing and prospective investment management relationships and asset class structures.
  • Evaluate performance and portfolio characteristics to ensure compliance with the directives of the TRS
  • Board of Trustees regarding investment objectives and constraints.
  • Prepare statistical and narrative reports regarding the investment portfolios within the Global Income
  • Strategy asset class, market factors, alternative investment prospects, and investment industry practices.
  • Proactively research investment approaches, asset mixes, and portfolio management techniques to provide potential incremental return to TRS's individual assets and at the total fund level.
  • Interact at the highest level with outside managers in direct management of the relationship to help facilitate co-investments.
  • Represent TRS on partnership advisory panels and within the industry.
  • Manage internal review of documentation and provide logistical leadership for the relevant oversight committee within the Global Income asset class.
  • Assist Emerging Manager program staff, as necessary, in preparing analyses, due diligence, evaluations and proposals for administering emerging manager investment activity
  • Assist with developing the skillsets of investment analysts within the investment program.
  • Perform other duties as assigned or required.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Ability to positively represent the organization with external constituents
  • Builds and manages effective teams
  • Develops and delivers effective presentations
  • Demonstrated analytical skills
  • Maintains a high degree of professionalism


Minimum Requirements:
  • A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration or related field is required
  • A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation or credible progress toward earning the CFA charter is preferred
  • Requires a minimum of two years of investment experience, ideally focused within the particular asset class
  • A background in due diligence and sourcing is preferred.


Please note: The salary range listed for this position is based on the Chicago, IL market. The salary range for Springfield is $126,713 - $197,672.

Pay Range
$145,720.00 - $227,323.00

Compensation will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of each candidate.

Benefits
TRS is an agency of the State of Illinois. As such, full and part-time employees are eligible for the State of Illinois comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental and vision coverage. All employees participate in the TRS retirement pension plan and have the option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans. The TRS pension plan is a reciprocal system to other state and local pension plans (SERS, SURS, IMRF, etc.)

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