Investments Officer (Private Markets)

THE OPPORTUNITY:
Under the direction of the Director of Investments, this Investment Officer position will oversee a segment of the OCERS portfolio management operations or asset classes within private markets. Private markets for OCERS include private equity, real assets, and real estate. The Investment Officer position provides expert analytical and technical support for the Investments Division in the areas of investment management, investment reporting, performance measurement, special projects, and studies. This position is typically assigned greater responsibility to operate independently than an Investment Analyst. This position is assigned primary responsibility for one or more central portfolio management operations or asset classes.

The Investment Officer position reports directly to the Director of Investments and is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, professionalism, customer service, and excellence.
 
The distinguishing characteristics of this position are (1) significant prior experience and familiarity with public pension funds (or the equivalent) and their portfolio management operations; (2) the ability to perform complex and highly responsible departmental functions with minimal supervision; (3) the ability and proven skills to coordinate activities of trustees, consultants, investment managers, and others engaged professionally by OCERS; and (4) the ability to independently perform investment administrative functions as assigned.
 
The position is further distinguished from the Senior Investment Officer classification in that the latter performs highly complex assignments in a focused investment-related area that typically requires more substantial public pension fund and/or investment portfolio experience.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
The Investment Officer will be expected to:

• Recommend and/or make decisions within the scope of their asset class mandate and role
• Mentor, manage and/or develop junior investment talent as needed
• Represent OCERS, the Investments Division, and their designated asset class when needed
• Participate in vetting, onboarding, and training new investment staff
• Manage investment department initiatives and develop project implementation plans as assigned
• Maintain a high level of oral and written communication
• Act as a model of OCERS’ culture
• Maintain a high level of accountability
• Contribute to the strategic and long-term goals of the organization
• Anticipate future asset class challenges and develop plans to optimize future results
• Have clear expectations on personal career development

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Investment Officer will be expected to perform operational, financial, and investment analysis to support OCERS' system and investment team initiatives and to perform other tasks as assigned. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide subject matter expertise to the CIO and the Investments Team in administering the long-term investment policy, strategic objectives, portfolio guidelines, and manager selection required for successful portfolio performance.
• Perform various investment functions as the team member primarily responsible, with minimal supervision.
• Serve as the primary contact or liaison with several external service providers, such as consultants and advisors, and take the lead in monitoring such providers’ reports, data, interfaces, and information systems.
• Regularly monitor a significant number of selected investment managers to assess performance, risk and return, and investment strategy.
• Recommend the selection or termination of an investment manager for reasons articulated clearly in oral and written analyses.
• Travel to perform due diligence manager reviews; take a lead role in coordinating meetings when so assigned.
• Monitor compliance with Board-approved investment policies, strategies, and portfolio guidelines.
• Assist the Investments Team in working with pension investment consultants to coordinate asset allocation studies and integrate results into the long-term investment strategy.
• Assist the Investments Team in working with pension investment consultants to coordinate pacing plans for private markets asset classes.
• Assist in the formal process of portfolio transition and prepare board-level progress or exception reports when required.
• Work effectively with investment counsel on legal issues.
• Interface effectively with Trustees and key OCERS staff members, communicating such interactions with the CIO and/or the Director of Investments.
• Monitor portfolios of marketable and non-marketable securities to assess and maintain current valuation in custodian statements.
• Prepare materials for Investment Committee meetings with assigned primary responsibility for one or more sections or segments.
• Work effectively with financial auditors, legislative and regulatory agencies, and others to fulfill information requests.
• Review memos, reports, and correspondence for quality control.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited university or college with a Bachelor’s degree with evidence of professional training in capital markets, investment theory, securities analysis, and portfolio analytic techniques

AND

Five years of experience in investment analysis and/or operations with a pension plan or equivalent institutional investment organization

OR

Substitution: Alternatively, a CFA charter designation with the requisite work experience.

Special Notes, Licenses, or Requirements:

• A valid driver’s license or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel.  
• The use of a personal vehicle may be required.
• A complete background investigation is required; a felony or misdemeanor conviction may be cause for disqualification.

Highly Desirable:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration 
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation 
• Please click here for additional details about the Investment Officer classification.