Product Strategist

PIMCO•Newport Beach, CA

4d•$145,500 - $168,000

About The Position

PIMCO is seeking a CIT Solutions Strategist to join its CIT Strategy Team within the U.S. Retirement business and help develop and grow the Collective Investment Trust (CIT) platform. The role combines strategic work with hands-on execution, including leading projects and timelines for new launches and collaborating with trustee partners and colleagues across the firm. The strategist will serve as a specialist, strategic resource, and trusted internal partner, supporting CIT implementation, client adoption, and internal positioning of CIT strategies. The position requires expertise in CIT structures, governance, operations, fees, regulatory considerations, and retirement plan investments. The successful candidate will work with Defined Contribution Solutions, Client Management, Product Strategy, Legal, Operations, Compliance, and third-party trust companies. They will lead initiatives, provide analyses and recommendations, support governance and regulatory oversight, and improve CIT processes, controls, documentation, and data quality. PIMCO encourages the use of AI tools to address client needs, synthesize documents and data, identify gaps, and improve day-to-day work. The role is based in Newport Beach or New York. Compensation includes base salary and a discretionary bonus. The stated base salary range is $145,500 to $168,000.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
At least 8 years of experience in asset management, retirement solutions, institutional investments, CITs, mutual funds, or related financial services, particularly fixed income, with knowledge of the institutional client base.
Experience working with CITs, Defined Contribution plans, or institutional investment products, including having worked with CITs in some capacity.
Strong understanding of CIT structures and governance, including trustee and custodial relationships.
Deep knowledge of Defined Contribution and retirement plan markets, including ERISA and retirement industry regulations and compliance considerations affecting retirement investment vehicles.
Working knowledge of investment operations and implementation processes, fee structures, and institutional product development.
Experience leading cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives.
Strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to view CITs in the context of the broader retirement business.
Hands-on project management and execution skills, including coordinating across internal teams and external trustee partners and managing competing priorities.
Analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including comfort using AI-enabled tools to review information, identify patterns or data issues, and improve processes.
Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication, with high attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to operate independently and exercise sound judgment.
Hands-on, business-owner mindset and ability to help build scalable infrastructure in a small team setting.

Nice To Haves

MBA, CFA, JD, or other advanced designation preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead implementation and enhancement of CIT products and share classes.
Partner with product and distribution teams to identify market opportunities and determine product and share-class needs.
Serve as a primary liaison with third-party trust companies, understanding their practices, operational and reporting requirements, fiduciary responsibilities, and governance frameworks.
Identify opportunities to expand collaboration with trustees and support business growth.
Partner with Funds Legal, Compliance, and Trustees to support adherence to regulatory and fiduciary requirements.
Evaluate governance implications of product changes, operational issues, and investor requests, including restricted affiliates, employer securities, trading guidelines, and eligibility restrictions.
Monitor regulatory developments and retirement landscape changes, assess their potential implications for the CIT business, and provide timely, actionable updates to stakeholders.
Lead cross-functional initiatives; develop project plans, establish milestones, manage dependencies, and drive execution.
Identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively communicate issues and recommendations.
Serve as an internal resource on CIT structures, investor eligibility, product positioning, fees, reporting, governance, liquidity, and operational considerations.
Provide accurate, well-supported analyses, recommendations, and communications to internal and external stakeholders.
Drive continuous improvement of CIT processes and controls; maintain expertise in CIT workflows, reporting, fee structures, and trustee administration, and translate operational considerations into business implications.
Develop and enhance process documentation and internal knowledge resources.
Improve efficiency, scalability, data quality, and controls across the CIT platform, including using AI to identify gaps or errors in internal and trustee-sourced data.