Investment Operations Analyst-Alternative Investments

Sentry Insurance Agency•Stevens Point, WI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides middle office support to investments throughout the investment lifecycle from onboarding, servicing and termination. We are looking for an Investment Operations Analyst to join our Alternative Investments team. In this role, you will be responsible for executing operational tasks, such as completing transactions, monitoring and responding to compliance inquiries, statement and documentation management and performing audit functions such as researching and responding to requests for information. What You'll Do As an Investment Operations Analyst on our Alternative Investments team, you will: Review various communications and gather necessary documentation to initiate fund capital calls and distributions in a timely manner and record investment activity and valuations within internal systems Interpret documents to identify and gather required information to support submission of investment subscriptions and assist with completion of onboarding documents for third parties Initiate and lead procedure, system and workflow reviews and evaluations for continuous process improvements in mid-office operations Complete reconciliations for accounting, investment, audit or tax reporting purposes. Compile information to respond to various audit, compliance or miscellaneous requests for information from other cross-functional departments or internal/external investment managers Prepare, maintain, and analyze various reports. Conduct portfolio monitoring and performance analysis on a regular basis and ad hoc when requested by the portfolio management team Additionally, you will: Maintain industry knowledge of various investments, their characteristics and operational support methodologies by participating in meetings and conference calls with general managers, market update calls, and attending selected industry conferences Perform other job-related duties as assigned from time to time What it Takes Bachelors Degree or equivalent work experience 2+ years of related work experience Master’s degree in Business Administration or related advanced degree beneficial Chartered Financial Analyst or Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations beneficial Knowledge of institutional investment operations, including protocols, measurements, tools and technologies. Background in macroeconomics, financial analysis, accounting and/or statistical analysis Proven critical thinking and analytical ability to analyze data, identify trends and solve complex operational issues with limited guidance. Strong attention to detail and accuracy Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing Demonstrated organization and time management skills including ability to prioritize multi-task and meet deadlines often under tight time constraints Proficiency in MS Office applications, advanced Excel skills including proficiency with pivot tables, Power Query and VBA necessary. Basic database skills are essential. Familiarity with investment databases, related tools and technologies (i.e. Bloomberg, PAM, etc.) strongly desired Ability to meet travel requirements of the role What You'll Receive At Sentry, your total rewards go beyond competitive compensation. Below are some benefits and perks that you’ll receive. Sentry is happy to offer flexibility through a scheduled Hybrid work model. Monday and Friday work from home if you choose to, Tuesday through Thursday you’ll work in office. As a Sentry associate, you will have an in-office workspace and materials for your home office. In addition to the laptop, you will receive prior to your start, Sentry will provide equipment for your home office. Meal Subsidy available for associates who report to an office. 401(K) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match on your first eight percent, plus immediate vesting to help strengthen your financial future. Continue your education and career development through Sentry University (SentryU) and utilize our Tuition Reimbursement program Generous Paid-Time Off plan for you to enjoy time out of the office as well as Volunteer-Time off Group Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, Parental leave, and our Health and Wellness benefits to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Well-being and Employee Assistance programs Sentry Foundation gift matching program to encourage charitable giving. About Sentry We take great pride in making Forbes’ list of America’s Best Midsize Employers. A lot of different factors go into that honor, many of which contribute to your job satisfaction. Our bright future is built on a long track record of success. We got our start in 1904 and have been helping businesses succeed and protect their futures ever since. Because of the trust placed in us, we’re one of the largest and financially strongest mutual insurance companies in the United States. We’re rated A+ by A.M. Best, the industry's leading rating authority. Our headquarters is in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, with offices located throughout the United States. From sales to claims, and information technology to marketing, we enjoy a rewarding and challenging work environment with opportunities for ongoing professional development and growth. Get ready to own your future at Sentry. Opportunities await! Casey Van Der Geest [email protected] Equal Employment Opportunity Sentry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy that there be no discrimination in employment based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, or sexual orientation. Our associates are the most important part of our company. We became one of the most financially strong mutual insurance companies in the U.S. by striving to provide the best possible service to our business customers. We do this by having conversations, forming relationships, and getting to know the people we work with and their businesses. We make that same commitment to our associates. When you join Sentry, we don’t just want you to perform tasks each day. We want you to enjoy your time with us. You’re in the driver’s seat of your career path here—sharing feedback, creating goals, accessing professional development resources, and identifying how you can contribute to both your success and the success of the company. Yes, we work hard. But we work with the purpose of helping others, and with the understanding that there’s more to life than work. We invite you to learn more about us. You’ll find we’re much more than insurance.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree or equivalent work experience
2+ years of related work experience
Knowledge of institutional investment operations, including protocols, measurements, tools and technologies.
Background in macroeconomics, financial analysis, accounting and/or statistical analysis
Proven critical thinking and analytical ability to analyze data, identify trends and solve complex operational issues with limited guidance.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
Demonstrated organization and time management skills including ability to prioritize multi-task and meet deadlines often under tight time constraints
Proficiency in MS Office applications, advanced Excel skills including proficiency with pivot tables, Power Query and VBA necessary.
Basic database skills are essential.
Ability to meet travel requirements of the role

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Administration or related advanced degree beneficial
Chartered Financial Analyst or Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations beneficial
Familiarity with investment databases, related tools and technologies (i.e. Bloomberg, PAM, etc.) strongly desired

Responsibilities

Review various communications and gather necessary documentation to initiate fund capital calls and distributions in a timely manner and record investment activity and valuations within internal systems
Interpret documents to identify and gather required information to support submission of investment subscriptions and assist with completion of onboarding documents for third parties
Initiate and lead procedure, system and workflow reviews and evaluations for continuous process improvements in mid-office operations
Complete reconciliations for accounting, investment, audit or tax reporting purposes.
Compile information to respond to various audit, compliance or miscellaneous requests for information from other cross-functional departments or internal/external investment managers
Prepare, maintain, and analyze various reports.
Conduct portfolio monitoring and performance analysis on a regular basis and ad hoc when requested by the portfolio management team
Maintain industry knowledge of various investments, their characteristics and operational support methodologies by participating in meetings and conference calls with general managers, market update calls, and attending selected industry conferences
Perform other job-related duties as assigned from time to time

Benefits

Sentry is happy to offer flexibility through a scheduled Hybrid work model. Monday and Friday work from home if you choose to, Tuesday through Thursday you’ll work in office.
As a Sentry associate, you will have an in-office workspace and materials for your home office.
In addition to the laptop, you will receive prior to your start, Sentry will provide equipment for your home office.
Meal Subsidy available for associates who report to an office.
401(K) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match on your first eight percent, plus immediate vesting to help strengthen your financial future.
Continue your education and career development through Sentry University (SentryU) and utilize our Tuition Reimbursement program
Generous Paid-Time Off plan for you to enjoy time out of the office as well as Volunteer-Time off
Group Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, Parental leave, and our Health and Wellness benefits to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Well-being and Employee Assistance programs
Sentry Foundation gift matching program to encourage charitable giving.