Research Analyst

Research Analyst

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)

Reports to: Managing Director, Head of Research

Company Background: MFA, based in Washington, DC, New York, Brussels and London, represents the global alternative asset management industry. MFA's mission is to advance the ability of alternative asset managers to raise capital, invest, and generate returns for their beneficiaries. MFA advocates on behalf of its membership and convenes stakeholders to address global regulatory, operational, and business issues. MFA's member firms collectively manage a diverse group of investment strategies. Member firms help pension plans, university endowments, charitable foundations, and other institutional investors to diversify their investments, manage risk, and generate attractive returns over time.

Position Summary: The Analyst, Research will be responsible for researching, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data that are aligned with policy issues affecting MFA's membership and the industry's impact on the economic wellbeing of individuals who benefit from pensions, foundations, and endowments.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Managing Director, Head of Research, this role will support the development and execution of a strategic long-term research strategy for the organization.
• Analyze economic and financial data to support policy positions using standard statistical programming packages. Identify and evaluate data sets that shed light on the industry's benefits to the pension, foundations, and endowments that invest.
• Provide data and materials (e.g., reports, fact sheets) to keep the internal MFA team apprised of current market information.
• Locate and summarize existing academic and policy research relevant to MFA's advocacy.
• Assist Head of Research to conceive and execute original research, including white papers, briefing notes, and other research products for internal and external audiences.
• Assist the Head of Research in coordinating research with MFA members, including investment funds, banks, and other market participants.
• Support the Head of Research with publishing and developing white papers about key topics and policy questions independently or in partnership with service providers.
• Collaborate with other MFA teams to support their advocacy before global regulators and legislative bodies, and special research projects.
• Be entrepreneurial and identify resources to advance MFA's goals.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor's and/or graduate degree preferred. Concentration in computer science, economics, finance, statistics, or a related field is preferred.
• A minimum of 2 years of strong experience in a finance-oriented or economic policy research/writing role is preferred.
• Experience with web scraping, including extracting data from websites, cleaning and validating the resulting datasets, and organizing them into consistent formats for research and analysis.
• Knowledge of Python is preferred, but candidates with experience with other languages (e.g., R, and Stata) will also be considered.
• Experience conducting research in finance or economics that uses quantitative analysis (e.g., regression methods) and effectively communicating those findings to a broad audience in written and verbal formats.
• Solid understanding of private funds, including hedge funds and private credit funds, is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of, and active interest in, financial services and financial markets more generally.
• Ability to generate ideas for research and analysis that support MFA's business and policy objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented culture that values the importance of being a good teammate, communicator, and partner.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to self-start, think ahead, problem solve, and engage proactively with high professionalism, reliability, and accountability.
• Strong time management skills and ability to manage multiple and changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Occasional domestic business travel is required.

Benefits of Working at MFA:

• Comprehensive healthcare plan options to include medical, dental, and vision
• Competitive compensation package
• Retirement savings plan
• Other ancillary benefits (disability plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and more)
• Hybrid work schedule (Mon/Fri- remote; Tues-Thurs: in-office)
• Generous paid parental leave and transition time
• Professional development and career opportunities
• Internal DEI Advisory committee
• Internal Social committee
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Staff retreats
• Healthy food and snacks

Disclaimer: The annual base salary range for this position is $85,000 – $100,000. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. Please note that the annual base salary range provided is a general guideline and compensation decisions are dependent on a variety of factors.