Investment Analyst

About Waycrosse

Established over 60 years ago, Waycrosse, Inc. is a single-family office based in Wayzata, MN. We provide comprehensive wealth management services to our clients including facilitating legal services, tax, insurance, and investments. We are passionate about being the most trusted partner to our clients and look for individuals who can deliver outstanding service with the utmost confidentiality. We take pride in being a workplace that fosters an inclusive culture, strives to attract, develop, and retain top caliber talent through competitive rewards, while ensuring alignment with our values and achievement of our mission we would love to meet you.

Overview  

Waycrosse manages a pool of capital invested through a network of external, third-party investment managers. Waycrosse investment portfolios span traditional stocks and bonds but also rely heavily on alternative asset groups including private equity, venture capital and hedge funds. Most Waycrosse investors have long time horizons, low demand for near-term liquidity and periodic need for new investment origination. The size, composition and maturity of Waycrosse’s investment portfolio resembles an institutional investor with some tolerance for risk. Most senior members of the Waycrosse investment team have substantial prior experience at endowments and foundations, where they practiced a similar form of long horizon, multi-asset class investment through external manager relationships.

The Investment Analyst will work closely with the Chief Investment Officer and Investment Directors to manage the Waycrosse investment portfolio with supportive research and analysis. Key responsibilities include three primary functions: (1) evaluation of investment strategies and managers that are part of the Waycrosse portfolio and others that are under consideration for new investment, (2) utilizing investment technology systems to monitor investments, gain portfolio insights and ensure accurate reporting and transparency, and (3) general markets and/or economic research.  This is a generalist role; the Investment Analyst will support the evaluation and recommendation of investment opportunities across all major asset classes including global public equities, hedge funds, private equity and real assets.  The Investment Analyst is a member of the Investment team and will work closely with external investment managers and with Waycrosse Investment Operations.  The Investment Analyst may also work with Client Portfolio Managers and Family Advisors to support family investment needs. The successful candidate will be a dynamic employee who can sit at the intersection of a multi-asset class portfolio and offer high-level investment and operational support. To succeed, the Analyst must have excellent organization, time management, and communication skills.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Evaluate the performance, strategies and exposures of external investment managers with independent research, analysis and commentary.  Investment focus emphasizes alternative asset groups (hedge funds and private equity) as well as traditional stock and bond managers.
• Support the development of investment proposals and participate in investment team discussions recommending new investments.  Prepare analysis and portfolio materials for review with the investment team, Investment Advisory Committee and others as needed.
• Manage technology tools used for ongoing monitoring, valuation and reporting, act as a primary contact point between Investments, Operations and third-party service providers
• Apply innovative analytical techniques and diligence to evaluate the potential risk/reward attractiveness of prospective managers and investments under consideration.
• Serve as expert user of the firm’s investment management system and perform data quality reviews to ensure investment data overseen by the Investment Operations team is timely, accurate, and complete.  Generate relevant portfolio analyses and reports.
• Monitor existing portfolio investments and re-underwrite existing managers as needed.  Communicate observations with broader investment team and operations staff.  Document investment notes and relevant conclusions.
• Act as project manager on various system and reporting projects working in conjunction with investment managers and the Investment Operations team.  Document recent activity and maintain current status in various investment systems.
• Assess the attractiveness of global markets and investment strategies and help identify a select group of managers for potential Waycrosse investment. Review direct co-investment opportunities and related special situations.
• Support related diligence functions including operations, tax and legal review as needed.
• Promote the development of new ideas, areas of research, and methods of investing and communicate observations with the investment team.
• Support client service initiatives including presentation preparation, asset allocation analysis and cash flow forecasts.
• Lead or actively participate in department meetings, projects, and initiatives.
• Serve as back-up to other team members as needed

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant investment management experience with coverage of multiple asset groups including some exposure to evaluating public stocks, fixed income, hedge funds, private equity and/or real assets.  Investment experience within a family office, endowment or foundation is preferred, but not required.
• Exceptional investment judgment, excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to conduct analysis and express independent thought with concise analytical conclusions.
• A clear understanding of the use of technology in investment operations and an appreciation for the role that it plays in investment decision making, improved efficiency and clear reporting.  Familiarity with specific systems is less important than the underlying concepts.
• Attentive to detail and willing to independently develop and perform primary investment research with proven spreadsheet and analytical skills; inquisitive with appetite for learning.
• Ability to think conceptually and develop innovative approaches to analyze open-ended questions and situations regarding markets and investment ideas.
• Ability to develop professional relationships with investment managers, peer investor groups, intermediaries and other industry participants.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and unwavering ethical standards.
• Ability to design and execute analysis with high proficiency in Excel, Bloomberg and similar tools.
• Willingness and desire to travel as needed to meet current and prospective investment managers.
• MBA and/or CFA preferred.

Benefits Overview

Waycrosse, Inc. provides employees with a comprehensive benefit program including but not limited to medical, dental, life, vision, retirement (401K), vacation time, sick time, and disability plans.