Small Cap Analyst

OUR AGENCY

Making a Difference

SWIB is a trusted and skilled global investment organization managing the assets of the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) and other separately managed funds. With over $165.6 billion in total assets under management, SWIB has been recognized by the investment industry for its teamwork and innovation that helps make it a premier asset manager. Sophisticated investment management strategies, forward-looking technologies, and strong internal asset management make SWIB a leading investment organization.

For public employees in Wisconsin, SWIB is a unique and valuable partner. Investing for the financial security of more than 652,000 individuals – and for the 1,500 Wisconsin employers who contribute on behalf of their employees – SWIB’s strong management of the WRS has helped fuel one of only a few fully funded public pension funds in the country. SWIB’s long-term investment returns meet the challenges of a constantly evolving investment landscape while helping grow and protect the assets of the WRS, which consistently ranks among the 10 largest public pension funds in the U.S. 

We are a mission-driven organization and the participants we serve are our mission. By bringing a disciplined, prudent, and innovative approach to market opportunities, SWIB has been successful in generating respectable returns and maintaining the trust of the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the funds we oversee.

Join HIGHER PERFORMERS

Home to Top Talent

SWIB has long been recognized as an investment leader because of its success in maintaining the WRS and because of the highly qualified staff overseeing the retirement trust funds. SWIB is committed to investing in professionals that will keep the organization at the forefront of the investment industry. As an innovative organization, SWIB offers professional development opportunities that enable staff to grow and develop. Approximately 61 percent of SWIB’s investment professionals are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholders.

About the Team

The Small Cap Team consists of 5 investment professionals each of whom follow a variety of sectors/industries.  The team collaboratively constructs a diversified portfolio benchmarked against the MSCI USA Small Cap Index under the guidance of a Lead Portfolio Manager.  The team’s investment process is focused on bottom-up stock selection targeting alpha generation over an intermediate to long-term time horizon.  Security selection balances fundamental analysis of the business model’s opportunities with its attendant risks.  The result is a portfolio consisting of reasonably valued equities of higher quality companies that tend to exhibit growth on both the top and bottom lines.

Position Overview

Investment team members interact with outside analysts and experts, meet with management teams, attend conferences, and occasionally do site visits as part of the analytical process. The SWIB Small Cap Team seeks to add a sixth member to cover the real estate and communication services sectors.  The ideal candidate will be a motivated self-starter with at least 3 years of equity analysis experience; Prior coverage of either the real estate and/or communications service sectors is a plus but not required.

Essential activities:

• Practice security selection consistent with the team’s investment process to generate alpha vs. a benchmark
• Perform fundamental business model assessment and valuation analysis of individual securities as part of a stock selection process
• Contribute to the effective management of the risk parameters of the portfolio to meet SWIB’s tracking error and risk profile expectations
• Evaluate performance attribution reports and risk reports
• Provide written and oral updates on recommendations, industries, and other relevant developments and information

The ideal candidate:

• 3-10 years of experience in public equities research
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree and enrollment in the CFA curriculum preferred
• Knowledge of multiple valuation techniques including DCF modeling
• Ability to work within a clearly articulated investment process
• Familiarity with multi-factor risk models (Barra, etc.) is preferred but not required
• Prior experience with Real Estate and/or Communications Services sectors is a plus.
• FactSet and/or Bloomberg experience preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Possess the ability to be adaptive and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, team orientation, and commitment to excellence

SWIB Offers:

• Competitive McLagan-based total cash compensation
• A comprehensive benefit package
• Educational and training opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Challenging work in a professional environment

The position requires U.S. work authorization and residency in, or willingness to relocate to the Madison, Wisconsin area. SWIB is prepared to offer relocation assistance as needed.