Associate Investment Analyst I

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund • Elmhurst, IL

17d

About The Position

It is the mission of the Investment Department to optimize the total return of the IMRF investment portfolio through a policy of long-term diversified investment, using parameters of prudent risk management. This position reports to the Managing Investment Officer-Diversity Programs and Total Portfolio. The Associate Investment Analyst will be an integral member of the Investment Team, overseeing a total global investment portfolio with assets exceeding $60 billion. The Associate Investment Analyst will support the IMRF Investment Department by contributing to the operations, evaluation, monitoring, and reporting of the Fund's investment activities in compliance with the IMRF Investment Policy. This position will be responsible for analyzing various aspects of the total fund’s investments. This position is also responsible for special projects as assigned. This position will have contact with the IMRF Board of Trustees, Investment Consultants, Investment Managers, and other investment professionals. All analysts will also be cross trained to perform all of the tasks and must be familiar with all aspects of Investment Department Operations. These tasks may include but are not limited to assignments in real estate; alternative investments; security lending; portfolio guideline compliance reviews; proxy voting; total fund and individual portfolio manager performance reviews; preparation of annual investment reports; and other projects as assigned by management. Note: The duties are subject to change, without notice, at the discretion of management.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, or related majors preferred.
• Experience utilizing eVestment TopQ, Bloomberg and other research and analytic tools.
• Entry-level experience working in the investment industry and/or pension industry.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with an understanding of investment terminology.
• Ability to think critically about manager performance.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook
• Ability to establish positive working relationships demonstrating integrity and respect.
• Strong work ethic
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to travel overnight occasionally; holds a valid Driver’s License
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, financial reports, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to draft reports, investment memoranda, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• The ability to effectively present information and respond to questions/inquiries from groups of managers, partners, members/employers, regulatory agencies, investment community and the general public.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.,) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with performance data, measurements and reporting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review financial reports and other documents to monitor the performance of the total portfolio asset classes.
• Process capital call and distribution notices using Northern Trust. Prepare weekly private markets cash activity.
• Upload, review, and analyze private markets data using eVestment TopQ or other sources to assist in the monitoring and due diligence of private market investments.
• Track investment manager allocations and commitments approved.
• Assist in the process of onboarding private market investment managers/accounts by working with IMRF's Master Trustee and sending account opening documentation to investment managers.
• Distribute the quarterly compliance requests to investment staff, review responses, and prepare a compliance memo for the CIO.
• Distribute quarterly KPI requests to investment staff, review responses, prepare KPI lists for the Custodian/Master Trustee, and request/provide updates.
• Coordinate payment approval process within the Investment Department and reconcile expenses with the Finance Department as needed. Verify and approve invoices for payment using online Smart Client system (i.e., travel expenses, legal fees, periodical subscriptions, membership dues, etc.).
• Track and prepare legal expense summary report.
• Coordinate with the custodian to prepare non-U.S. proxies, power of attorneys, global markets documents, and international tax documents necessary for international investments.
• Lead and coordinate the annual investment manager certification process with the leadership team. Update documents and send annual certifications to investment managers, consultants, and the master trustee for certification compliance. Review responses and share any issues with Investment Staff. Save all documentation to the LAN.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the CIO and Managing Investment Officer- Diversity Programs & Total Portfolio.
• Provide backup coverage for the Investment Administrative Support Staff.
• Assist with investment manager brokerage data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Assist in portfolio monitoring to achieve long-term performance targets within acceptable risk parameters.
• Coordinate and review monthly and quarterly performance reports and presentations with consultants.
• Assist with data aggregation, analysis, and preparation of PowerPoint presentations using various data sources.
• Work as part of a team to implement the best operational practices in a high-performance culture.
• Assist with manager searches (RFP preparation, advertising, schedule interviews, etc.).
• Prepare weekly staff meeting report on one of the asset classes (rotates monthly).
• Attend prospective manager meetings with an Investment Analyst or the Investment Officer and assist in preparing written notes.
• Mentor and train student interns.
• Represent the Investment Department, as needed, at internal meetings.
• Represent the organization positively as a thought leader within the Investment Industry.
• Foster a positive culture in support of our Values and individual accountability.
• Support achievement of the organization’s Journey of Excellence, Vision, and Strategic Objectives.

Benefits

• Pension, death, and disability benefits as a member of IMRF
• Generous insurance benefits, including medical and dental
• 35-hour base work week, Monday-Friday. Ability to work one day remote, per week, after 6 months of hire.
• Paid vacation, paid sick, 12-13 paid holidays and 2 personal days
• Tuition reimbursement
• Business casual attire

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees