Investment Associate

Cerity Partners•Chicago, IL

1d•$75,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

Cerity Partners is hiring a single Investment Associate to be shared across three to four Chicago wealth management partners. This is a career-track investment role for a high-quality recent graduate with a strong finance/investment background and a genuine interest in building a career in wealth management. Over a 3–5 year developmental arc, the analyst will become a dedicated investment resource for each participating partner — learning their clients, investment philosophy, preferred models, and portfolio-management approach — while pursuing the CFA designation. The role provides approximately 9–12 hours of dedicated investment support per partner per week, depending on whether the position is shared among three or four partners. It moves investment-knowledge work — but not necessarily partner-level experience — to the appropriate level, freeing partners and senior team members to focus on client relationships and advice, complex planning, prospect development, COI relationships, business development, and asset gathering and retention.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related field, with a strong academic record
Genuine interest in investments and a career in wealth management; willingness to pursue the CFA designation during the role
Strong analytical and Excel skills; comfort working across multiple advisors' books and priorities
Familiarity or willingness to learn and master how to use various software programs, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, Claude, RedBlack, and Addepar.
High attention to detail, particularly around trading, rebalancing, and compliance monitoring
Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to prepare client-ready materials independently

Nice To Haves

Ability to talk to clients independently
Ability to train and mentor Client Service Associates
Ability to develop wealth planning and investment recommendations and present to clients when applicable
Working knowledge of e-Money, Salesforce a strong plus.
Exceptional problem-solving skills, and ability to organize and prioritize work in order to meet deadlines in a proactive manner with little supervision required.
Must accept and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with potential and current clients.
Tenacious about doing what is right for the client – always.

Responsibilities

Maintain advisor-preferred models in RedBlack, including allocation changes, manager changes, and implementation preferences, consistent with the Cerity Partners A4P List
Monitor IPS compliance, including allocation ranges, portfolio drift, exceptions, and other issues requiring advisor attention
Prepare and process trades and portfolio rebalances
Raise cash for distributions and anticipated client needs
Invest incoming cash and implement approved portfolio changes
Proactively review portfolios ahead of client meetings and recommend trades or other actions for advisor consideration
Prepare customized investment analysis and client meeting materials, including portfolio attribution and other portfolio-specific analysis
Progress over time from primarily executing instructions to proactively identifying portfolio issues and recommending actions for advisor approval
Stay appraised of and understand new investment opportunities brought forth by the firm’s investment committee and identify where and why the opportunity makes sense or does not for client portfolios.
Work with custodians to ensure money moves properly between accounts, investment data is properly recorded and understand the limitations or restrictions imposed on accounts that may influence investment decision.