Senior Investment Associate

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Senior Investment Associate ("Senior Associate") is an important role at the fulcrum point between the mastery of data analysis and the development of individual judgement. The core objective of the Senior Associate is to support the team's Managing Director(s), Director(s), and Associate Director(s) in the implementation and management of investment strategies. The Senior Associate contributes to the evaluation of new investment opportunities and the post-investment management of relationships with external investment organizations. The Senior Associate spearheads analytical work for asset allocation, portfolio management, and thematic research; the role also includes the delivery of ad hoc projects related to risk management, process management, and external relationship management. Senior Associates are eligible to serve on the Internal Investment Committee ("IIC") of the Investment Office.

Essential Job Duties

Investment Research (70%)

• Monitor existing holdings and regularly assess manager relationships. Conduct regular calls or meetings with investment partners. Provide written documentation of manager meetings, sharing fund updates and key insights with the investment team.
• Conduct due diligence of potential new investments, guided by senior members of the team. Perform detailed quantitative analysis at the asset class and manager level. Synthesize qualitative findings, including investment strategy, organizational dynamics, and operational considerations.
• Support senior members of the team by independently authoring investment memos (or segments of memos) and responding to requests for additional data or analysis.
• Thematic research: Assess new investment areas, strategies and asset classes as requested by senior investment staff.
• Develop investment judgement and an independent voice.

Portfolio Management & Asset Allocation (10%)

• Train Investment Analysts in analytical approaches, maintaining sufficient knowledge of the analytical underpinnings of asset allocation and cash flow models to facilitate knowledge transfer and mentoring.

Managing Processes & Relationships (10%)

• Create and maintain high-quality presentation materials for regular internal discussions as well as ad hoc requests by senior investment staff.
• Ad hoc projects in support of senior members of the team.

Analytics and Information Management (10%)

• Technology: Maintain sufficient proficiency in third-party software (i.e. Caissa) to train Investment Analysts to perform detailed portfolio analysis. Become knowledgeable in other software or third-party data providers as necessary.

Basic Qualifications

• Four years of relevant work experience, likely gained in an endowment, foundation, family office, or direct investment management environment.
• Basic understanding of fundamental investment concepts, and the ability to process both quantitative and qualitative inputs to long-term economic value creation.
• Progress toward independent investment judgment and perspective on how to manage a dynamic investment portfolio.
• Critical thinking and healthy skepticism that engages with large amounts of complex, often-conflicting information in search of strategic clarity.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with a small team.
• Willingness to be challenged as part of a collegial inter-disciplinary search for superior investment knowledge and outcomes.
• Impeccable honesty, integrity, and an appreciation for high standards of conduct, work product, and ultimate outcomes.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Ownership mentality, bringing a sense of personal responsibility for the sustained success of the Investment Office.
• Ability to act independently to achieve a high-quality product. Ability to handle multiple assignments, often with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Enthusiasm for Caltech's dual institutional missions of conducting groundbreaking scientific research and providing a rigorous education to promising STEM students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct investing experience in public or private equity, potentially including fundamental investing in public markets, private equity secondaries, private equity co-investments, or related skills

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

Base salary of $127,900 - $142,900 per year plus bonus eligibility

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.


As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks. EEO Statement

Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and, as a federal contractor, takes affirmative action to employ qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at View email address on click.appcast.io.