Junior Credit Analyst

About the Position

Aware Asset Management is seeking an exceptional individual to join its dynamic team.  Reporting to the Head of Corporate Research, this person will join a highly collaborative group and assume responsibility for providing both qualitative and quantitative analytical support to enhance the corporate investment decision-making process.  In addition, we are looking for a high level of enthusiasm and willingness to grow and learn with the organization.  The successful candidate will be able to thrive in a data intensive and model driven environment that when combined with a broad understanding of investment markets promotes effective communication amongst our research staff and senior management. In addition, the individual must be capable of inspirational interaction across the Aware Asset Management organization and its senior management as well as with outside entities. 

The position is located in Eagan, MN. 

Key Responsibilities

• Perform fundamental credit analysis on investment grade, corporate, bond issuers
• Analyze financial statements, earnings reports, and other issuer and industry research to create a comprehensive investment thesis
• Formulate an opinion and ultimately recommend issuers and bonds to portfolio management team and conducting ongoing surveillance of names under coverage within assigned sectors  

• Lead independent research projects by generating creative ideas and rigorous quantitative analysis that includes testing the efficacy of factors; identifying the industry-specific, macroeconomic and behavioral drivers of variability in factor performance
• Collaborate with the research analysts, quantitative analysts, and portfolio managers with the goal of developing models that incorporate both financial and market data when conducting credit research
• Responsible for the production and implementation of fixed income and other quantitative models
• Create security screening tools and data visualizations to assist in the portfolio management process
• Work with internal systems designed for portfolio construction and trade modelling

• Provide portfolio construction and analytical support to product development efforts as needed
• Become a trusted and respected member of the Aware’s investment and management teams
• Support ongoing reporting needs to internal and external clients

Success Profile

• Must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, detail oriented, and possess an entrepreneurial spirit
• Highly collaborative; must have a strong team orientation and the ability to influence decision making within our team structure
• Ability to master complex tasks with minimal supervision
• Bachelor's Degree required. Master's degree in a quantitative discipline preferred. FRM and / or CFA designation – or willingness to pursue -- are a plus
• Up to 5 years of investment experience emphasizing credit research or industry related experience
• Prior quantitative research experience is preferred
• Asset management experience is preferred
• Experience in credit and/or interest rate modelling experience is preferred
• Detailed knowledge of fixed income market and instruments is preferred
• Solid background in quantitative techniques, as well as programming and development skills (such as Python, Matlab/R, C#, and SQL) is preferred

• Capable of writing robust production code is a plus

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office with strong Excel skills (Experience with Bloomberg AIM highly desirable)
• Strong communication skills - ability to effectively communicate to all levels of seniority; exceptional writing skills and ability to persuade and influence

About Our Firm

Aware Asset Management is a registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Aware Integrated, Inc. The firm was created in 2018 from the investment division within the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota organization, which is also a subsidiary of Aware Integrated, Inc. The investment management teams have been in place since 2012. Aware Asset Management manages fixed income and asset allocation strategies for its clients.