Associate, Cross-Asset Thematic Investing

HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan) • Toronto, ON

2d • CA$98,000 - CA$148,000

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Portfolio Manager, Cross-Asset Thematic Investing, the Associate will be a core member of a small investment team managing thematic investment portfolios across global public equities, rates, credit, currencies and commodities. The Associate will contribute across the investment process — from identifying cross-market themes, policy shifts, market trends and dislocations to building investment conviction and determining the most effective expression of those views across markets and instruments. To support this process, the Associate will build and apply AI-enabled research workflows to evaluate market developments, synthesize diverse data and perspectives, deepen research and build conviction around the most promising ideas, test investment theses against a wide range of evidence, and assess how potential trades fit within the broader portfolio. Success in the role requires strong investment judgment and demonstrated proficiency in developing, validating and integrating these workflows into investment decision-making.

Requirements

• Completion of a university degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Data Science, or another relevant discipline. Interdisciplinary or dual-degree backgrounds are welcome, as are candidates who have developed a comparable combination of investment, analytical and technical capabilities through their professional experience.
• 2 to 5 years of relevant experience on a global macro or thematic investment team, or in another public-markets role involving investment research, cross-market analysis, idea generation and portfolio decision-making. Experience translating macroeconomic, policy and industry developments into actionable ideas across asset classes is preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and a structured approach to investment decision-making, combined with the judgment and adaptability to operate effectively in a fluid environment and balance multiple, changing priorities.
• A high degree of initiative and ownership, demonstrated through a proactive approach to driving work forward, together with a strong interest in cross-asset investing.
• Excellent investment research skills, including the ability to frame a question, develop a testable thesis, identify the most important drivers and catalysts, distinguish signal from noise and revise conclusions when the evidence changes.
• Strong quantitative capabilities and practical knowledge of statistics, econometrics, time-series analysis or applied machine-learning methods. Proficiency in Python and Excel.
• Demonstrated proficiency in applying AI tools in research and workflow development.
• Strong judgment, intellectual curiosity and attention to detail, with the ability to maintain analytical rigour under time pressure.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• A high degree of professionalism, integrity and accountability.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of, or progress toward, a professional designation such as the CFA is considered an asset. Relevant graduate-level technical or quantitative training may also be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and evaluate investment opportunities arising from macroeconomic developments, structural themes, policy changes, industry dynamics, market positioning and dislocations across global markets.
• Develop investment theses by defining the underlying causal logic, economic and market transmission mechanisms, key drivers, catalysts, scenarios, expected payoff, principal risks, monitoring indicators and developments that may challenge the thesis.
• Conduct flexible yet structured fundamental research at the level required by each opportunity. Assignments may range from analyzing a security, market segment or industry to evaluating a country, policy development, broader market trend or cross-asset dynamic. This may include modelling market regimes or developing relative-value frameworks.
• Design and maintain AI-enabled investment research workflows that support market screening, hypothesis generation, research, and portfolio construction. Specifically, the Associate will use AI-assisted coding and approved AI tools to accelerate document analysis, data extraction and management, information synthesis, financial and economic model development, and ongoing thesis monitoring.
• Translate research into investable expressions by comparing individual securities, baskets, relative-value trades and derivatives, including option structures. Assess implementation alternatives based on expected return, asymmetry, carry, liquidity, timing, catalysts, downside risk, implementation complexity and fit within the broader portfolio.
• Monitor portfolio positions and investment ideas by tracking performance, exposures, risks, catalysts, thesis indicators and relevant market developments. Support portfolio management activities, including position sizing, portfolio construction, performance tracking and adherence to investment guidelines and risk budgets.
• Undertake ad hoc investment research on macroeconomic and cross-asset themes that may support the team or broader investment activities across HOOPP.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, including investment, operations, legal, risk and other teams, to support the execution and ongoing management of investment activities.
• Communicate conclusions and recommended actions clearly, using the format best suited to the investment decision, including discussions, models, dashboards, concise research notes and presentations.

Benefits

• high-performance, people-focused culture
• commitment that equity, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental to our work environment and business success, which helps employees feel valued and empowered to be their authentic selves
• learning and development initiatives, including workshops, Speaker Series events and access to LinkedIn Learning, that support employees’ career growth
• membership in HOOPP’s world class defined benefit pension plan, which can serve as an important part of your retirement security
• competitive, 100% company-paid extended health and dental benefits for permanent employees, including coverage supporting our team's diversity and mental health (e.g., gender affirmation, fertility and drug treatment, psychological support benefits of $2,500 per year, parental leave top-up, and a health spending account).
• optional post-retirement health and dental benefits subsidized at 50%
• yoga classes, meditation workshops, nutritional consultations, and wellness seminars
• the opportunity to make a difference and help take care of those who care for us, by providing a financially secure retirement for Ontario healthcare workers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level