Chief Investment Officer

Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Investment Officer is responsible for providing strategic leadership and executive oversight of the Teacher Retirement System Investment Management Division and the investment portfolio. The incumbent will lead investment strategy, oversee division operations and staff, advise the Board of Trustees, Executive Director, and other relevant parties on investment-related matters and uphold fiduciary responsibility for the prudent management of TRS assets in collaboration with IMD and stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in business administration, finance, accounting, economics, or a related area.
Fifteen (15) years of full-time directly related, progressively responsible experience in investment management or related experience.
Eight (8) years of experience leading or supervising the work of others.
Experience may be concurrent.
Knowledge of investment concepts, strategies, styles, and analytical methodologies from the total portfolio level to individual investment selection.
Knowledge of global and domestic macroeconomic and capital market issues relating to investments.
Knowledge of statistical concepts, methods, and models and their application to investments.
Knowledge of economic, financial, actuarial, and quantitative concepts applicable to pension fund investing.
Knowledge of securities operations, investment accounting, valuation, compliance and internal controls.
Knowledge of executive leadership, workforce planning, succession management, and performance management principles.
Knowledge of investment data, portfolio management systems, risk management systems, analytical tools, and technology used in institutional investment environments.
Skills in negotiating complex investments, advisory, and service provider arrangements.
Skills in developing and executing long-term investment strategies for a large, diversified institutional portfolio.
Skills in evaluating complex investment opportunities, portfolio risks, market conditions, and financial information.
Skills in presenting complex investment matters clearly and persuasively to boards, executives, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
Skills in managing, mentoring, and motivating staff to meet organization goals and objectives.
Skills in negotiating issues and resolving problems.
Skills in written and verbal communications, including preparing and delivering complex correspondence, reports, presentations, policies, and proposals.
Ability to promote and maintain harmonious working relationships with the Board of Trustees, agency co-workers and staff, state leadership (including their staff), and other external contacts.
Ability to work effectively in a professional team environment.
Ability to protect confidential and market sensitive information while demonstrating the highest standards of ethics and professional conduct.
Ability to establish credibility and trust with stakeholders who have differing perspectives and levels of investment knowledge.
Ability to maintain independence of judgment while working collaboratively with trustees, executive leadership, employees, advisors, and external partners.
Ability to fulfill fiduciary responsibilities and place the interests of TRS members and beneficiaries above personal or agency interests.
Ability to lead through periods of market volatility, public scrutiny, and heightened stakeholder interest.

Nice To Haves

Senior management experience directing an investment organization that internally manages funds.
Advanced degree in finance, economics or related field.
Certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), and/or a Financial Risk Analyst (FRM).
A master's or doctoral degree in a closely related field may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership for the Investment Management Division, aligning investment strategy with the agency’s long-term obligations, risk tolerance, funding objectives, and operational needs.
Advise the Board of Trustees and Executive Council on asset allocation, portfolio structure, risk capacity, and expected outcomes for the pension trust fund.
Oversee execution of the Investment Policy Statement and applicable policies, laws, and rules.
Establish an investment philosophy that promotes accountability, evaluates emerging strategies, and strengthens portfolio performance and sustainability.
Maintain strong connections across the finance and investment community while leading development of the strategic investment plan, divisional budget, and legislative appropriation requests.
Direct implementation of the Investment Policy Statement, ensuring strategies, objectives, and performance expectations remain aligned with Board-approved goals and risk parameters.
Oversee performance measurement, monitoring, and reporting to evaluate results, manager effectiveness, and portfolio compliance.
Set clear objectives, define responsibilities, and ensure effective oversight across investment operations.
Manage procurement, contracting, and performance of investment service providers, consultants, and vendors.
Maintain a strong internal control and compliance framework that supports sound governance and adherence to applicable requirements.
Serve as the principal investment advisor to the Board of Trustees, Board committees, and Executive Director.
Build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders while presenting recommendations, results, market analyses, risk assessments, and policy matters in a clear and decision-useful manner.
Lead succession planning, employee development, workforce engagement, and performance management across the division.
Build leadership capacity and support succession readiness for critical investment and operational roles.
Recruit, develop, mentor, and evaluate management staff while promoting accountability, integrity, collaboration, continuous improvement, and organizational excellence.