VP/Director of Manager Research

AllianceBernstein•Los Angeles, CA

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking to hire a Director of Research (DoR) within the Bernstein Private Wealth Management Manager Research Group. A strong candidate is an investment professional that will help lead research and due diligence efforts, managing a team of 4-6 manager research and quantitative analysts who are authoring research reports on existing and potential investments on the Bernstein investment platform. The role is multi-faceted as it involves enhancing processes and procedures for the team and overseeing the group’s adherence to these policies. This role is a player/coach position that involves strategizing with team members on how to perform research on individual strategies and then reviewing work product prior to sharing with other constituencies. The role also involves a strategy and scouting component to identify compelling asset class investment opportunities, performing industry surveys of investment managers within asset classes. Essential aspects of a candidate’s skill set include knowledge of the financial markets, investment manager evaluation, an effective interpersonal style, and a record of professional success. The DoR will need to leverage fundamental and quantitative analytical skills in manager evaluation. The DoR should be able to digest a large array of investment content from inside and outside the firm and translate that into written memoranda and verbal presentations during investment committee meetings.

Requirements

Approximately 15 years of experience in the investment management industry with at least 5 years conducting and/or overseeing manager research.
Direct relevant experience in and a broad understanding of the capital markets in both public and private markets – including equity investing in domestic and international markets, hedge funds and other alternatives, fixed-income investing, fundamental and quantitative research, and risk management.
Undergraduate or graduate education in Finance, Accounting preferred.
Ability to author detailed Research Memoranda that contain a detailed summary of research findings.
Outstanding presentation skills and the ability to explain complex thoughts quickly and easily.
Ability to work with a wide array of people across functions to achieve optimal outcomes.
Excellent communication skills, analytical, intellectually curious, client-service oriented, have a hunger to learn, be open to feedback, and able to work in a team-based culture.
High integrity is essential to every role at Bernstein.

Nice To Haves

CFA and/or CAIA is preferred.

Responsibilities

Review, make revisions and ensure compliance to MRG governance documents and research templates
Manage Production Calendar of Research Reviews for existing investment platform and pipeline of new ideas
Create communication materials to update advisor force on progress of internal reviews
Develop automated processes to facilitate faster review of investment platform.
Collaborate with PWM Quant, AB Data Science and AB Reporting Teams on the production and improvement of data templates
Provide research oversight and final review of research reviews on prospective and existing investments that are being authored by members of the MRG
Conducting research on asset class opportunity set and recommending changes
Strategic Asset Allocation and/or Tactical Asset Allocation
Lead the effort on new research initiatives including conducting an industry survey, meeting with potential managers, conducting reference checks
Oversee a team of four to six manager research analysts including managing team capacity, setting research priorities and mentoring these individuals on future career growth
Partner with CIO and Investment Strategy Group team members on ad-hoc strategic projects