Investment Associate – Emerging Manager Program

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (System) administers survivor, disability and retirement benefits on behalf of almost 414,000 members. These include active and former State employees, teachers, State police, judges and law enforcement. Our mission is to ensure that sufficient assets are available to fund the benefits when due, and to provide a fully-funded retirement system that is affordable to all participating employers and provides guaranteed adequate disability, survivor and retirement benefits to our members. Investment Division 

MSRP 0006

120 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as Investment Associate of the System’s Terra Maria emerging manager program within its Investment Division.  This position will be responsible for supporting the emerging manager initiative across asset classes including: Private Equity; Real Assets; Absolute Return, Public Equity, and Fixed Income.  The Associate will also assist in manager selection and monitoring of investments for the Terra Maria portfolio.  This team member will also be responsible for supporting the risk team, assisting in the oversight and reconciliation of performance measurement, and risk reporting at the System’s custodian bank and other applications.  The Investment Associate reports directly to the Sr. Portfolio Manager of the Terra Maria emerging manager program.

· Support the Investment Division’s emerging manager program.

· Assist in developing and implementing effective tools and systems to efficiently receive, evaluate and monitor inquiries from emerging managers and corresponding communication practices.

· Assist in developing and maintaining sourcing methodologies and a database of emerging managers across all asset classes.

· Analyze performance and portfolio characteristics through various research and data platforms.

· Assist in developing an evaluation framework for emerging managers across all asset classes.

· Provide analytical support to the asset class teams to assist with the due diligence process for investing with new managers and products.

· Assist in conducting reviews of the manager structure within each asset class and make recommendations to asset class teams regarding the addition of potential emerging  managers.

· Assist in developing a graduation framework across asset classes to transition emerging managers to larger mandates.

· Provide analytical support to the asset class teams to assist in the monitoring and evaluation of existing investments.

· Attend manager meetings and take appropriate notes.

· Track the System’s exposure to Terra Maria managers and provide regular reporting on the program, in percentage and dollar terms, to the Investment Committee, Board, and General Assembly.

· Prepare presentation materials for Investment Committee meetings.

· Assist in the new manager onboarding process

· Assist in ensuring data integrity and quality control for risk modeling, performance attribution and performance reconciliation

· Assist with the workflow around monthly and quarterly performance reporting from external managers.

· Effectively utilize existing systems to monitor and report on investments and to track workflows.

· Analyze existing systems and identify opportunities to improve utilization and to further automate reporting and monitoring of investments.

 

This position is eligible for telework two days per week.

Education: Graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree before starting the position. Applicants can substitute a minimum of three years of relevant experience at an asset manager or asset owner for the required education qualification.

Other: Must be strong in math and be passionate about investing

Preferred Experience: Preference will be given to candidates with the following skills and background:

• Strong math skills and experience with Python, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel plus VBA

• Strong financial modeling skills with a focus on modeling investments

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Math, Science, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science/Programming or similar field of study

As part of the application process, candidates may be asked to complete a project or a supplemental questionnaire to assist in the evaluation of the candidates’ education, training and experience.

Please make sure we receive your cover letter, Maryland State Application and resume.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

Due to the confidential nature of the work, selected candidates must undergo and pass a background check.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.