Deputy Chief Investment Officer

Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association•Denver, CO

2d•$335,000 - $415,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Deputy Chief Investment Officer (Deputy CIO) is responsible for leadership and oversight of Colorado PERA’s private market investments program, including Private Equity, Real Estate, and Alternatives asset classes. This role partners closely with the Chief Investment Officer to implement total fund strategy, with primary responsibility for driving strategy execution within private markets, ensuring strong investment outcomes, disciplined portfolio governance and construction, and effective integration with the broader total fund. The Deputy CIO also works in close coordination with the Investment Operating Officer, who oversees the business and operational platforms supporting investments. Together, these roles ensure both investment excellence and operational execution. The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative investment leader who brings deep private markets expertise, strong fiduciary judgment, and a proven ability to lead high-performing teams in a complex institutional environment. This person will be energized by the opportunity to shape long-term investment strategy, partner closely with the Chief Investment Officer, and help strengthen Colorado PERA’s investment program through thoughtful decision-making, clear communication, and disciplined execution. The strongest candidates will combine technical credibility across private equity, real estate, and alternatives with sound leadership instincts, a commitment to integrity and accountability, and the ability to build trusted relationships with colleagues, investment partners, consultants, and Board stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Ten+ years experience in managing investment portfolios, with a demonstrated track record of success, with substantial experience in alternative/private markets
Five years experience managing a diverse group of investment professionals
Experience leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and efficiency, proactively identifying opportunities to apply emerging technologies that improve workflows and outcomes
Requires a high level of ethics and demonstrated commitment to accountability
Experience working with internal and external investment managers
Effective and persuasive oral and written communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
Visionary capabilities related to investments and strategic planning

Nice To Haves

MBA, CFA, and/or CAIA designations preferred
Public pension fund experience desirable
Experience working with a Board of Trustees desirable

Responsibilities

Provides senior leadership and oversight of PERA’s private market investment program, including Private Equity, Real Estate and Alternatives asset classes
Develops, in conjunction with asset class leadership, private markets investment strategies designed to achieve long-term return objectives within approved risk parameters
Ensures alignment with total fund objectives, liquidity needs, and risk tolerances; collaborates with the CIO on asset allocation and strategic positioning
Serves as a key member of the Investment leadership team and, in partnership with the CIO, helps shape the long-term vision, strategy, governance, culture, and performance of the Investment department
Monitors legal, regulatory, and policy developments affecting public pensions systems and evaluates potential implications for investment strategy, portfolio management, governance, and fiduciary responsibilities
Provides leadership and oversight of private markets teams and senior investment professionals; responsible for performance evaluation of direct reports
Depending on organizational structure and business needs, may directly lead one private market asset class and assume corresponding investment and team leadership responsibilities
Exercises significant discretion and judgment in private market investment, portfolio construction, manager selection, and commitment decisions within established governance and delegated authority frameworks
Supports organizational resiliency through recruitment and succession planning within private markets; develops and mentors staff, building long-term institutional capability
Establishes clear accountability, decision-making frameworks, and investment processes
Partners with the CIO and investment leadership to identify, assess, and manage portfolio, liquidity, concentration, operational, and governance risks
Ensures compliance with investment policies and governance standards
Oversees the development and review of applicable materials for the Board and Investment Committee, serving as a subject matter expert for private markets in Board discussions
Acts as the investment department liaison for the Defined Contribution Plans, participating on the Defined Contribution Committee, and contributing to the oversight of manager selection and evaluation activities in the Plans
Partners with the Investment Operating Officer to align private market investment strategy execution with capital activity, scalable operational processes, and data integrity, reporting, and performance measurement
Provides input on systems, resources, and infrastructure enhancements to support investment systems modernization and long-term operational success
Maintains awareness of market developments, trends, and best practices in private markets
Supports the CIO and represents the investment program with investment managers, industry organizations, peer institutions, consultants, and other external stakeholders, as appropriate
Oversees development of and adherence to responsible divisions’ budgets and ensures goals are met within designated time frames
Carries out other duties as assigned