Associate, Opportunistic, Strategic Ventures

Allstate•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Allstate, great things happen when our people work together to protect families and their belongings from life’s uncertainties. And for more than 90 years, our innovative drive has kept us a step ahead of our customers’ evolving needs. From advocating for seat belts, air bags and graduated driving laws, to being an industry leader in pricing sophistication, telematics, and, more recently, device and identity protection. Job Description This role offers a unique opportunity to gain diverse experience across two dynamic areas within Allstate Investments: Strategic Ventures and Opportunistic Investments. Participants will develop a broad skill set in research, financial analysis, investment strategies, and deal structuring, while building valuable networks within the industry. This program is ideal for those looking to accelerate their career growth, gain exposure to different facets of the business, and contribute to strategic initiatives that drive Allstate's success. This role is part of Allstate Investments' two-year development program designed to cultivate future leaders in asset management. While the position is a two-year role, strong performers have been offered the opportunity to transition to a career-track opportunity. Successful associate candidates have also transitioned to roles at competitive firms, corporate development, and matriculated to top business schools. Where we can be helpful, we have leveraged our network in support of these transitions. Strategic Ventures Role (1 year) Allstate Strategic Ventures is responsible for corporate venturing activities that deliver both strategic and financial value through minority investments, business partnerships, and other strategic relationships. The focus of the group is to generate strong investment returns while also accelerating Allstate’s business strategies and creating new business opportunities. The team works closely with venture capital firms, incubators/accelerators, universities, entrepreneurs, and other third parties to identify technologies, capabilities, companies, and management teams that help us to strategically grow and transform our business while generating strong investment returns. This role will contribute to the Strategic Ventures team by providing continuous support to senior team members ranging from start-up and industry research to in-depth due diligence. Rotational Analyst will be expected to demonstrate solid research capabilities, strong financial, project and time management skills. Opportunistic Investments Role (1 year) On behalf of Allstate's $75bn portfolio, the Opportunistic group sits within the Private Alternative Investments Group and makes direct debt and equity investments into illiquid securities, and invests in select debt, real asset, and special situations funds. The investment mandate is global, but focused on North America, emphasizing corporate, specialty finance, and real asset strategies. The Opportunistic portfolio is approximately $1 billion in size. The associate will assist in all phases of investing - origination, evaluation, execution, monitoring, and management - of our portfolio. This role will be required to work a Hybrid work schedule from our Chicago, Riverpoint office location. Strategic Ventures Role (1 year) Conducts extensive research and provide regular reports on new potential opportunities providing recommendations to the Principals and Directors Supports screening processes and helps vet deals through strategic, financial and investment value considerations Assists with building financial models for individual start-ups Assists with performing in-depth company and market assessments during due diligence Helps with preparing Presentations and Memos for the Investment Committee Aids in developing strong and wide networks within the VC community, accelerators, universities and research centers in North America and Europe Builds and manages start-up and contact databases Actively tracks and provides updates on performance of portfolio companies Opportunistic Investments Role (1 year) Partner with Opportunistic senior staff in the idea generation, research and investment thesis development activities that create actionable deal flow fitting the portfolio construction and risk management parameters for Opportunistic investing. Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis used to support the underwriting of potential investment opportunities. Prepare internal memoranda and other materials used to support investment recommendations and to communicate with internal constituents. Assess the performance of existing investments, including financial analysis of the underlying portfolio companies of sponsors' funds. Evaluate market conditions in existing and potential new alternative investment categories. Provide information and analysis to develop and support asset allocation decisions related to these categories. Closely monitor the performance of existing portfolio investments, including regular communication with financial sponsors/partners and management teams.

Requirements

2 or more years of related experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Strong quantitative and analytic skills.
Ability to synthesize complex data.
Demonstrated experience analyzing financial statements and developing financial models and/or completion of a strong credit training program.
Strong knowledge of accounting and finance.
Team first attitude and a commitment to work in a highly collaborative environment.
Possess critical thinking skills and keen focus on details.
Must be ethical and honest, possess high integrity and be trustworthy.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a time critical, transaction-oriented environment.
Knowledge of, and ongoing interest in, current trends, success factors, participants and terms in private equity and related alternative investment markets.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills that that result in teamwork, shared knowledge, and ideas.
Beginning ability to synthesize quantitative work and present ideas to manager.
Beginning ability to structure documents to effectively communicate results of work
Comfortable performing in a fast paced, dynamic, and ambiguous business environment with aggressive timelines.

Nice To Haves

Investment Banking and private equity experience is preferred

Responsibilities

Conducts extensive research and provide regular reports on new potential opportunities providing recommendations to the Principals and Directors
Supports screening processes and helps vet deals through strategic, financial and investment value considerations
Assists with building financial models for individual start-ups
Assists with performing in-depth company and market assessments during due diligence
Helps with preparing Presentations and Memos for the Investment Committee
Aids in developing strong and wide networks within the VC community, accelerators, universities and research centers in North America and Europe
Builds and manages start-up and contact databases
Actively tracks and provides updates on performance of portfolio companies
Partner with Opportunistic senior staff in the idea generation, research and investment thesis development activities that create actionable deal flow fitting the portfolio construction and risk management parameters for Opportunistic investing.
Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis used to support the underwriting of potential investment opportunities.
Prepare internal memoranda and other materials used to support investment recommendations and to communicate with internal constituents.
Assess the performance of existing investments, including financial analysis of the underlying portfolio companies of sponsors' funds.
Evaluate market conditions in existing and potential new alternative investment categories.
Provide information and analysis to develop and support asset allocation decisions related to these categories.
Closely monitor the performance of existing portfolio investments, including regular communication with financial sponsors/partners and management teams.