Senior Analyst, Investment Analytics and Research

JOB SUMMARY:

As Senior Analyst, Investment Analytics and Research, you will be a key member of the Queen’s internal investment team and provide valuable input based on industry knowledge to support portfolio analysis and asset allocation. You will have considerable latitude for exercising judgment and self-direction while conducting sophisticated quantitative and qualitative analyses on the performance and risk of all external managers and providing comprehensive reports. Success in this role calls for a forward-thinking professional with outstanding quantitative and technical skills who continuously investigates and monitors investment management issues and trends so as to make well-informed decisions and recommendations. The position is Kingston-based; however, due to the current circumstances it is expected that work will be completed remotely for much of the 1 year term, additional flexibility to work remotely will be considered as required.

As a self-starter who excels in an autonomous environment with minimal supervision, you bring to the role an impressive profile that includes:

Job Description
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts sophisticated analysis of the performance and risk of all external managers and provides comprehensive reports, both at the manager level and the total fund level for the Pooled Endowment Fund and other university investment assets as applicable.
• Participates in developing and creating quarterly materials packages for the Investment Committee.
• Assists the Director with the due diligence of investment managers across public and private asset classes and participates in searches for new managers.
• Researches and assesses new asset classes for possible inclusion into the asset mixes of the various investment funds.
• Supports the Director, as required, for special projects and / or initiatives related to investment management.
• Develops and implements quantitative portfolio construction, simulation (e.g. Monte Carlo), and attribution methodologies. Provides inputs and analysis in support of strategic and tactical asset allocation, including development of risk and return views, implementation of advanced portfolio construction techniques (e.g. Black-Litterman), and back-testing of valuation models.
• Attends quarterly meetings of the Investment Committee, delivers presentations, and occasionally makes recommendations on investment-related matters.
• Develops and builds upon relationships with external investment managers, market dealers, custodians, trustees, investment consultants, and other providers of investment and administrative services.
• Conducts due diligence on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities of investment managers in compliance with the university’s Responsible Investing Policy.
• Participates in the annual review of the distribution policy and the amounts to be withdrawn from the Pooled Endowment Fund for spending purposes.
• Occasionally participates in other treasury activities as required.
• Occasionally assists with pension-related matters.
• Undertakes other duties as required in support of the department, including occasionally supporting the day-to-day investment operations when other team members are unavailable. This may or may not include:
 o Executes foreign currency derivative transactions with market participants in accordance with each fund’s foreign currency hedging policy, including supporting the trade execution, confirmation, matching, and settlement systems.
 o Coordinates the redistribution of funds amongst investment managers in accordance with asset rebalancing policies.
• Promotes a culture of inclusion and diversity and a sense of service in support of the university’s mission.
• Continuously investigates investment management issues and trends in order to maintain a high level of expertise.
• Conducts other duties in support of the department as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Undergraduate degree in commerce, business, economics or a related field combined with either (1) an MBA with a specialization in finance or (2) earned the designation of a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.
• A proven track record of progressive work experience in investment management over no fewer than 5 years, including at least 2 years of quantitative analytical experience in institutional portfolio management or a related field.
• Previous experience in investment manager due diligence considered an asset.
• Strong understanding of investment principles and portfolio management concepts for the investment of assets for a pension fund / endowment fund.
• Strong knowledge of investment concepts including, but not limited to, equities, fixed income, derivatives, private equity, hedge funds, commodities, infrastructure, real estate, foreign exchange, and money markets.
• Advanced proficiency with spreadsheet, database, word processing and presentation software.
• Familiarity with programming languages such as VBA, Python, Stata, and Matlab considered an asset.
• Knowledge of inferential statistics and stochastic/deterministic modelling processes.
• Knowledge of fixed income and foreign exchange pricing and trading procedures.
• Familiarity with financial databases such as Bloomberg and Datastream considered an asset.
• Thorough knowledge of performance measurement analytics and calculations.
• Promotes and supports diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check is required.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Advanced investment and financial modeling skills.
• Ability to streamline, document and automate reporting and reconciliation processes while maintaining transparency and ensuring accuracy.
• Exceptional attention to detail with superior organizational and planning skills to manage multiple priorities.
• Makes decisions regarding competing and sensitive priorities in a confidential, fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Advanced analytical skills (quantitative and qualitative), including the ability to think through problems, assess a variety of factors and recommend a solution.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication (written, verbal, presentation) skills, combined with the ability to develop, build upon, and leverage relationships.
• Strong relationship building and negotiation skills to foster positive, collaborative working relations and build professional credibility among stakeholders.
• Results orientation, combined with an ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• High level of technical literacy essential; demonstrated ability to adapt to changing technology. Ability to learn and apply new technology.
• Strong client service orientation.

DECISION MAKING:

• Assesses and occasionally recommends implementation options for new and existing asset classes and other investment strategies as appropriate for the various investment funds.
• Assesses and determines the best course of action pertaining to implementation of sophisticated modelling techniques.
• Determines reporting priorities to best support the decision making of the Investment Committee and senior administration.
• Occasionally determines when pricing offered by foreign exchange and fixed income dealers is appropriate, and when to deal away.
• Recommends best alternatives within a range of solutions to a given problem, identifying the potential risks and benefits of each.
• Exercises sound judgment and self-direction to determine when to refer issues to the Director and when to act independently.
• Identifies opportunities and recommends technological enhancements to data and information processing systems. Assesses impacts of changes in order to develop optimal solutions to benefit the department or university.