Investment Officer- Global Income Strategies

Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

About The Position

It is inspiring to work in an organization where individuals are deeply committed to the mission and values that drive our success. We are dedicated to delivering expert pension service to Illinois public educators as they earn their promised retirement security. Mission Statement: Delivering expert pension service to Illinois public Educators as they earn their promised retirement security. The Investments Team: The Investments team at TRS plays a critical role in advancing the System's mission by managing and monitoring more than $83.7 billion in assets in a highly specialized, performance-driven environment. Comprised of more than 30 investment professionals and continuing to grow, the team is responsible for evaluating and selecting external investment managers across the portfolio. Investments span a broad range of strategies, including public equities, fixed income, real assets, hedge funds, and private markets. The team's investment process is rigorous and highly analytical, grounded in deep qualitative and quantitative due diligence. Investment professionals engage directly with existing and prospective managers to assess performance, risk, and portfolio fit. The Investments team operates with high expectations for talent, accountability, and collaboration, where the strength of the team directly drives long-term outcomes for the System and its members. Job Summary: The Investment Officer is a mid-senior level investment professional in the Investments Department. Under the direction of senior Investment staff, the Investment Officer assists in coordinating and monitoring investments within the Teachers’ Retirement System Global Income Strategies portfolio. The Investment Officer is responsible primarily for portfolio management with a specific focus on areas such as Public Debt (low duration, core and core plus fixed income, and emerging market debt) and/or Strategic Credit (global multi-sector credit and private credit) investments. Public debt includes rates, currencies, structured securities (CMBS, RMBS, ABS), bonds, and EMD. Private credit includes corporate direct lending, special situations, structured products, specialty finance/asset-backed finance, real estate debt, and real asset debt (infrastructure, transportation, energy/renewables). Helpful experiences may include fundamental credit analysis, fixed income trading, manager research and due diligence, private deal structuring, portfolio management, data analytics, and/or fund administration/operations. This position requires a thorough knowledge of general investment theory. The incumbent must be able to apply independent judgment, conduct thorough analysis and due diligence, and produce quantifiable recommendations supported by research. This position requires the incumbent to perform research to validate or invalidate hypotheses that relate to the performance of the fund. The incumbent must be able to function effectively in stressful situations and possess a high degree of skill in both oral and written communications.

Requirements

Minimum 6 years of relevant investment experience
Demonstrated experience in fixed income manager underwriting and evaluation
A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration or related field is required
Strong communication skills with the ability to present effectively to senior stakeholders
Collaborative mindset with ability to work within a team environment
Ability to positively represent the organization with external constituents
Helps manage effective teams
Demonstrated analytical skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Thorough knowledge of general investment theory.
Ability to apply independent judgment, conduct thorough analysis and due diligence, and produce quantifiable recommendations supported by research.
Ability to perform research to validate or invalidate hypotheses that relate to the performance of the fund.
Ability to function effectively in stressful situations and possess a high degree of skill in both oral and written communications.

Nice To Haves

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation or credible progress toward earning the CFA charter is preferred
A background in due diligence and manager sourcing is preferred.

Responsibilities

Help source, evaluate, and prepare analyses and proposals for investments in new potential investment managers and structures.
Evaluate the qualifications of prospective investment management relationships in accordance with investment policy, asset allocation directives and mix, diversification strategies and guidelines controlling risk/return characteristics for Global Income Strategy portfolio.
Research the investment performance and portfolio characteristics of existing and prospective investment management relationships and asset class structures.
Evaluate performance and portfolio characteristics to ensure compliance with the directives of the TRS Board of Trustees regarding investment objectives and constraints.
Prepare statistical and narrative reports regarding the investment portfolios within the Global Income Strategies asset class, market factors, alternative investment prospects, and investment industry practices.
Proactively research investment approaches, asset mixes, and portfolio management techniques to provide potential incremental return to TRS’s individual assets and at the total fund level.
Interact at the highest level with external managers in direct management of the relationship.
Contribute to portfolio construction and allocation decisions.
Manage internal review of documentation and provide logistical leadership for the relevant oversight committee within the Global Income asset class.
Assist Emerging Manager program staff, as necessary, in preparing analyses, due diligence, evaluations and proposals for administering emerging manager investment activity
Assist with developing the skillsets of investment analysts within the investment program.
Perform other duties as assigned or required.