Investment Operations Alternative Investments Analyst - Associate

Teacher Retirement System of Texas•Austin, TX

53d

About The Position

With the Investment Management Division (IMD) you will be joining a diverse group of achievers who celebrate the unique value individuals bring to support our shared cause: earning trust and contributing to the financial future of 2 million public education employees and retirees throughout Texas. Navigating the current market environment takes innovation and we're passionate about stewarding the right investments to make an impact both in the lives of our members and all Texans. We invite you to partner with the best financial minds in the business to manage a global portfolio of over $200 billion in public and private investments. Our success starts with you. The Investment Operations Alternative Investments Analyst-Associate performs complex investment-related financial analysis work. The incumbent will assist with or plan, design, implement, and administer investment information and reporting; compile, analyze, and evaluate related financial data; and consult with Investment portfolio managers and TRS management on information and reporting needs. This position will proactively work with the Budget and Accounting team, IMD staff, and TRS employees. This position reports to the Investment Manager, Budget & Accounting

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, finance, accounting, operations research, math, information technology, liberal arts or a closely related area.
A Master's degree in a related area may substitute for a year of the required experience.
Five (5) years of full-time investment operations, data management, accounting, financial analysis, or related experience requiring compilation, reconciliation, and/or analysis of detailed information (Associate).
Knowledge of investment concepts, terminology, styles, models, strategies and fundamental and quantitative investment factors.
Performing complex financial analysis.
Verifying and auditing financial data.
Using a computer in a Windows environment with MS Office word processing, spreadsheet (including advanced Excel functions and macros), and database systems; report writing; and other business software.
Conducting data searches and evaluations of large amounts of information, performing complex statistical analysis of the data, and preparing concise and accurate reports.
Communicating complex technical information, verbally and in writing, including presenting analysis.
Organizing and coordinating work assignments to effectively meet frequent and/or multiple deadlines, in handling multiple tasks simultaneously, and in managing conflicting priorities and demands.
Establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers, agency staff, and external contacts.
Thrive in an environment driven by change and improvement and adapt effectively to changing requirements.
Work effectively in a professional team environment.

Nice To Haves

One (1) - seven (7) years of full-time professional investments experience or other experience involving a high degree of skill in data analysis and evaluation, such as accounting, financial analysis, or statistics.
Experience with Alternative Investments such as Hedge Funds, Real Estate, or Private Equity.
Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and/or Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) or working towards CPA/CFA/CAIA.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements, and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).statements
Experience with software languages, database and report writing technology (SQL, SSRS, and PowerBI).
Basic understanding of capital markets, investment securities (equities, bonds, and derivatives), and/or private markets (real estate or private equity).
Basic understanding of investment performance measurement.

Responsibilities

Processes setup, lifecycle transactions, and monthly/ quarterly valuations of alternative investments, including but not limited to capital calls, distributions, and capital account statements in internal system (SimCorp) and with the Custodian,
Reviews financial statements of the investment to ensure changes in the capital call statements are reasonable, reviews the audited financial statements and disclosures to ensure any issues are noted, and makes recommendations for resolution.
Researches the causes of and reconciliation of complex financial holdings, performance and other investment data discrepancies on a daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis with SimCorp and the Custodian for alternative investments.
Performs research and analysis of alternatives' investment data, including conferring with Investment portfolio managers, TRS management, and staff to meet business data and reporting needs.
Assists with identifying and sharing best practices with team members and supports development of data management infrastructure for alternative investments.
Assists with developing new or revisions of existing data analysis and reporting system techniques, models, and methodologies.
Assists with assessments of investment analysis, data, security, and
reporting needs.
Creates or assists with creating metrics, outcomes, and reporting objectives.
Analyzes pricing data, cash movements, trading information, and other issues that affect alternatives' portfolio valuation, performance, compliance and regulations.
Provides support for audit requests or accounting reports.
Monitors data feeds and recommends appropriate corrective action to ensure accurate data flow between systems.
Works with owners to create and present investment data for decision making.
Participates on or leads various investment operations related projects to implement strategic initiatives or improve system integration between applications, custodian, internal and external partners, portfolio analytics and other third-party software.
Actively researches and identifies areas for improvement around operations, reporting and investment systems.
Updates and maintains operational documentation, policies and procedures.
Facilitates resolutions cross-organization.