Senior Investment Product Specialist

We exist to help people achieve financial clarity. At Thrivent, we believe money is a tool, not a goal. Driven by a higher purpose at our core, we are committed to providing financial advice, investments, insurance, banking and generosity programs to help people make the most of all they’ve been given.

At our heart, we are a membership-owned fraternal organization, as well as a holistic financial services organization, dedicated to serving the unique needs of our clients. We focus on their goals and priorities, guiding them toward financial choices that will help them live the life they want today—and tomorrow.

Job Summary

Performs research and assists with the development and implementation of asset management marketing analysis, strategies & plans for Thrivent’s investment products, with an emphasis on mutual funds, variable portfolios and discretionary managed account programs. Supports team as it seeks to ensure that investment products are effectively positioned and promoted to financial representatives. Provides subject matter expertise on investment products, portfolio construction and asset allocation strategies and creates materials to help
communicate the Thrivent Asset Management viewpoint on specific asset classes and the broader economic and financial market environment.        

Job Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide subject matter expertise on product lines and industry specific tools and systems in order to assist the field, sales desk, wholesalers, and members of marketing and product management.  Connect Thrivent Asset Management opinions and strategies with field-oriented materials and resources.
• Assist in the day-to-day management and support of Thrivent’s product lines.  This may include analyzing and monitoring investment options (including investment philosophy and process, style drift and performance);  supporting the process for making rebalancing and reallocation trades in discretionary models and communicating trade rationale; producing marketing and performance-related materials; participating on quarterly teleconference updates or other field communications; answering external questions; and maintaining required compliance documentation.
• Serve as Product team data lead and collaborate with Investments, Accounting, Marketing and Digital teams and various other internal and external partners as needed.
• Produce time-sensitive monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc reports for marketing materials and senior leadership.
• Assist with the development of sales ideas that motivate financial professionals to sell products irrespective of market or economic conditions and contribute to the effectiveness of Thrivent’s sales force by providing product support.
• Perform investment product case analysis and model portfolio reviews in support of the Thrivent Asset Management business lines.  These efforts may range from high-level to intermediate case analysis to assistance with advanced product applications or portfolio construction.
• Contribute to the achievement of sales objectives by providing marketing support to the wholesaling and sales desk areas. This may be accomplished by researching, maintaining, and distributing current information on competitors’ products; developing product tips and ideas, and providing other information as needed.
• Contribute to ongoing product strategy and product development initiatives and help maintain competitiveness in product offerings by collaborating with Product Management colleagues and cross-functional teams as appropriate. Provide research and design assistance for new products and enhancements to existing products.

This role will regularly participate in cross-functional teams and interact with multiple departments including Product Management, Marketing, Digital Experience, Sales, Compliance, Legal, Investment Accounting, Investment Operations, and Investment Management.  The role requires daily interaction with individual contributors, managers, and directors as well as regular contact with Vice Presidents and other senior leaders.  In addition, the role requires frequent contact with external firms including third-party investment management firms, external vendors, and software providers.  The role will influence senior managers and directors when making decisions regarding product management and product development opportunities.

Job Qualifications

Required:

• College degree plus 5-7 years of experience, or a graduate business degree plus 3-5 years of experience. 
• Ten-plus years in the field of marketing or investment management will be considered equivalent to a college degree plus experience.
• FINRA SIE, Series 7 and 63/65 or 66 required or obtained within 180 days of hire/transfer.
• Progress towards an advanced industry designation such as CFA, ChFC, CFP, CIMA, or CLU is preferred.
• Must have strong investment acumen including knowledge of modern portfolio theory statistics.
• Requires strong quantitative and analytical skills, technical knowledge of the asset management discipline, investment product subject matter expertise, strong oral and written communication skills, and the ability to influence others without direct control.

Preferred:

• Knowledge and experience using investment-related software tools such as Morningstar Direct, FactSet, Aladdin, ISS Market Intelligence Simfund Enterprise, Bloomberg, and/or Zephyr StyleADVISOR.

Additional Information

• This position requires you to work on-site in Minneapolis, MN a minimum of two days a week.