Alternative Investments, Product Manager

TIAA•Chicago, IL

2d•$162,000 - $205,000•Onsite

About The Position

Product Manager, Alternatives Will develop, structure, position, and implement alternative investment strategies intended to serve TIAA's Defined Contribution client base. Will be responsible for the launch of dedicated alternative products for the DC channel, including proprietary products and third-party partnerships. This leader will assess and maintain the competitiveness of established and emerging product offerings from both an investment and business performance perspective. The role will achieve results through idea generation and deep collaboration with the Retirement Product team, distribution, senior investment management, legal & compliance, marketing, operations, and finance personnel.

Requirements

Minimum 5+ years of defined contribution or alternative investments product development experience
Alternative investments product experience
Asset management experience
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across a matrixed organization
Commercial Mindset
Consultative Communication
Continuous Improvement Mindset
Investment Strategy Acumen
Market/Industry Dynamics
Nuveen Products/Services Acumen
Product Design
Product Development
Product Management
Product Opportunity Assessment
Product Performance/Improvement Monitoring
Research Synthesization
Technical Writing

Nice To Haves

7+ years of defined contribution or alternative investments product development experience

Responsibilities

Leads the end-to-end development and launch of alternative investment products designed specifically for the DC channel, including both proprietary strategies and partnership-based solutions.
Creates strategic product plans that evaluate and refine alternative investment vehicles, including Collective Investment Trusts (CITs) and other relevant structures, based on financial, regulatory, operational, and market considerations; plans will include implementation, marketing, and sales components.
Serves as the primary subject matter expert on alternative products for the DC channel, engaging directly with plan sponsors, consultants, and clients for due diligence, client servicing, and new business purposes.
Partners closely with the Retirement Product team and distribution to ensure alignment on product strategy, positioning, competitive differentiation, and go-to-market execution.
Drives overall launch and implementation of new alternative DC products by coordinating cross-functional teams and managing project timelines; includes managing the internal governance and approval process.
Develops and maintains deep knowledge of DC-specific investment vehicle structures, with particular expertise in CITs, and an understanding of regulatory, operational, and plan sponsor requirements associated with each.
Oversees and evaluates the competitive positioning of alternative DC products relative to the broader market; identifies product gaps and opportunities, and develops recommendations for organic development or external partnerships to address them.
Leads product positioning efforts, developing clear and compelling investment rationale and client-facing materials that communicate the role of alternatives within a DC portfolio context.
Ensures all products are compliant with applicable regulatory requirements and align with TIAA's risk management and governance standards.