Asst Director, Sr. Structured Finance Research Analyst - Hybrid

Symetra • Farmington, CT

4h • $175,000 - $240,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

This Senior Structured Finance Research Analyst role will have a significant
impact supporting the continued growth of Symetra’s Structured Finance portfolio
and focuses primarily on structured credit research in public and private
Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) and other forms of Structured Finance including
ABF and portfolio financing transactions. The multi-billion Structured Finance
portfolio consists of different asset classes, including consumer, data centers,
aircraft, and other esoteric sectors, structures, and markets (public and
private). Primary responsibilities will include conducting independent research
on new potential investments, sourcing of potential opportunities, idea
generation, surveillance of Symetra’s structured finance portfolios, and
portfolio analytics support. The candidate will analyze the structure,
collateral and originator/servicer of public and private Structured Finance
transactions and make investment recommendations. Surveillance will include
detailed periodic portfolio reviews with screening of individual securities as
well as analysis of risk and portfolio concentrations. The candidate will also
communicate market color and insight to the broader investment team. Working in
a highly collaborative environment, the candidate will work directly with
Symetra’s portfolio managers, traders, and other research analysts, external
advisors, and will interact regularly with members of the Symetra investment
department.

This is a hybrid work role based in Farmington Connecticut.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's level degree in finance, economics, accounting, mathematics or relevant field is required. MBA/CFA designation (or progress towards CFA designation) is preferred but not required.
• 8+ years of experience in public and private structured finance investing and analysis (including structural features, issuer analysis, and collateral attributes) sufficient to establish suitable recommendations for participating in new offerings and secondary market trading, as well as ongoing surveillance of holdings.
• Demonstrable understanding of ABS products, public and private, including credit cards, autos, data centers, student loans, whole business, equipment finance, aircraft, railcars, containers, consumer loans, and other major and esoteric categories. Experience performing credit analysis and modeling cash flows for such securities.
• Proficiency in the primary analytical tools and systems required for the analysis of structured finance securities, such as Bloomberg, Intex, etc.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Access, Word, Power BI and PowerPoint • Proficient with SQL; advanced technical skills and programming experience preferred (Python, VBA, VB.Net, and/or C#).
• A solid understanding of portfolio surveillance and fixed income analytics, including duration, spread duration, convexity, key rate duration, immunization, static yield spread, OAS, etc. Familiarity with insurance company ALM and/or LDI is an advantage.
• A “get it done” work ethic that supports the completion of tasks within specified timeframes, and the ability to adjust to shifting priorities as business conditions warrant, understanding that the work requirements of the position will sometimes embed inflexible deadlines.
• The ability to work cooperatively and collegially within a small team environment and communicate ideas effectively. Interest in being involved in multiple aspects of investment and risk management.

Nice To Haves

• MBA/CFA designation (or progress towards CFA designation)
• Proficient with SQL; advanced technical skills and programming experience preferred (Python, VBA, VB.Net, and/or C#).
• Familiarity with insurance company ALM and/or LDI is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Structured Credit Research: Analysis, monitoring, and trading of private and public ABS. Conduct independent credit research on potential structured finance investments for Symetra’s portfolio • Follow market and sector developments to develop better understanding of individual credits and broader sector trends • Participate in investor presentation meetings with issuer management • Contribute to credit and portfolio discussions with senior team members.
• Portfolio Surveillance: Support, maintain, and improve the analytical and monitoring efforts of Symetra’s diverse public and private Structured Finance portfolio • Track, analyze and monitor existing investments by periodically reviewing company and sector news and transaction reports • Conduct monitoring and surveillance of one or more of the structured finance subsectors managed by external advisors • Develop and maintain cashflow models for ongoing scenario analysis.
• Modeling and Support: Maintenance of modeling / prepayment / loss assumptions and surveillance tools for structured finance securities in primary areas of responsibility. Production and/or analysis of OTTI cash flow runs. Partnering with other analysts to ensure proper integration of the foregoing into our fixed income analytics platform.

Benefits

• Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%
• Self-Managed Time Away along with paid holidays
• Give back to your community and double your impact through our company matching

What This Job Offers

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