Senior Investment Analyst

Kemper • Chicago, IL

2d

About The Position

The Senior Investment Analyst independently assesses the creditworthiness and relative value of issuers and investment opportunities across a broad range of asset classes, potentially including corporate and municipal bonds, structured securities, private debt, private equity, and alternative investments. The analyst develops investment recommendations, monitors portfolio holdings, performs valuations, and contributes to the development of the investment research process and framework. The role calls for sound investment judgment, strong financial and credit analysis capabilities, and clear written and verbal communication with portfolio managers. The analyst may also help train and mentor interns and incoming analysts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field.
• Two to four years of professional experience in credit research, investment research, trading, industry analysis, financial analysis, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and develop investment recommendations.
• CFA, MBA, MS in Finance, or active pursuit of a relevant advanced degree or professional designation.
• Knowledge of financial statements, credit analysis, fixed income markets, valuation, and investment concepts, with expertise in at least one relevant asset class.
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication, and Excel skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Sound investment judgment and ability to identify key risks, return drivers, relative value considerations, and appropriate recommendations.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in research, data, reporting, portfolio monitoring, and valuation work.
• Ability to prioritize assignments, meet deadlines, and manage multiple issuers, sectors, and asset-class responsibilities with limited supervision.
• Intellectual curiosity, initiative, and ability to learn new sectors, asset classes, and investment strategies.

Nice To Haves

• Experience analyzing multiple fixed income, private market, or alternative investment asset classes.
• Experience valuing private debt, private equity, or other less liquid investments.
• Experience with Bloomberg, Aladdin, Python, generative AI tools, or other investment research, analytics, and data platforms.

Responsibilities

• Independently analyze debt issuers and investment opportunities across sectors and asset classes in primary and secondary markets.
• Prepare and maintain written credit evaluations covering issuer, industry, competition, financial statements, relative value, risks, and investment considerations.
• Monitor portfolio holdings, including financial performance, market developments, ratings actions, covenant compliance, and other relevant information.
• Make buy, sell, and hold recommendations to portfolio managers verbally and in writing within a relative value framework.
• Analyze investment opportunities outside primary coverage areas and collaborate on cross-asset research and portfolio initiatives.
• Perform quarterly valuations of private debt, private equity, and other alternative investments, assessing assumptions, comparable investments, market conditions, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain investment research files and internal databases for portfolio monitoring, reporting, valuation, and investment decisions.
• Help develop and enhance the team’s investment research process, analytical tools, reporting, and framework.
• Track and evaluate market, economic, industry, and company-specific trends that may affect current or prospective investments.
• Build productive relationships with portfolio managers, investment team members, issuers, underwriters, asset managers, and other external market participants.
• Assist with training and mentoring interns and incoming analysts and review their work as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior