Investment Associate

Introduction The Maryland State Retirement Agency is the administrator of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (“System”). The System is a defined benefit retirement system covering governmental employees within the State of Maryland. It’s composed of twelve (12) separate retirement and pension systems with over 50 different rule sets. The System has over 430,000 participants (customers), including 192,000 members who are actively employed and participating in the System, 165,000 payees who receive a monthly payment from the System, and 40,000 vested members who are no longer actively employed but have earned a benefit that will become payable at a future date. Located in Baltimore’s Central Business District, SRPS offers a purpose-driven workplace with modern amenities, including panoramic city and harbor views, renovated common areas, upgraded elevators, and an on‑site caf. Employees enjoy comprehensive state benefits including medical, dental, prescription coverage, generous paid leave, participation in the state pension system, and supplemental retirement savings options (401(k), 457(b), and more). Additional perks include an on‑site fitness center with showers and lockers, 24/7 building security, and easy access to restaurants, shops, public transit, and major highways. This is a Special Appointment position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority. Grade MSRP 0006 Location of Position 120 E. Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21202 Main Purpose of Job This position reports to the director to the Managing Director of EDGE. The responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to: Assists in the monitoring and due diligence function of private markets asset classes Assists with manager communications including meeting scheduling and note taking Leads existing manager analysis, portfolio reporting and data management across the Terra Mario portfolio Assists in the completion of the legal process and onboarding of new managers and funds Assists in the development and formulation of macroeconomic views and helps apply those views into tactical portfolio positioning; conducts, and market analysis and research projects Position Duties Job duties include but are not limited to: Assists in the monitoring and due diligence function of private markets asset classes Analyzes, prepares, and presents data reported by managers, consultants and research partners. Participates in industry groups and with other state pension funds to help access best practices in investment analysis. Identifies prospective investment opportunities. Assists with interviews, evaluations and recommendations of potential investments. Compares and contrasts various investment opportunities. Monitors manager performance against return and risk objectives. Performs due diligence of external investment managers. Works with established investment monitoring framework and promotes related activities to mitigate investment related risks. Reviews, evaluates and coordinates the monitoring of investments. Assists in conducting detailed performance attribution to help explain sources of risk and return. Assists in compliance with the various operating procedures within the division. Works with legal and others on contract negotiations and execution. Monitors investment performance against objectives and expectations. Assists with manager communications including meeting scheduling and note taking Assists in managing inbound manager communication for the Terra Maria portfolio. Assists in scheduling desired meetings with external managers as needed. Attends and participate in external manager meetings and produce notes of such meetings. Leads existing manager analysis, portfolio reporting and data management across the Terra Mario portfolio Prepare required reports for Terra Maria strategies. Collect, organize, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data used throughout the investment due diligence process, including performance history, portfolio characteristics, organizational information, and investment strategy analysis. Maintains the Terra Maria manager database. Assists in the management and quality of data flow between investment managers, the custodian, risk systems and consultants. Maintenance and reconciliation of data between the System and third parties. Ensure accuracy of data between the System’s custodian and third party service providers. Organize and maintain data and reports in the System’s client relationship management platform. Assists in the completion of the legal process and onboarding of new managers and funds Assists with legal, operational, and administrative processes. Support the onboarding of newly approved investment managers by coordinating documentation and assisting with legal, operational, and administrative processes. Assists in the development and formulation of macroeconomic views and helps apply those views into tactical portfolio positioning; Performs market analysis and research projects Works with established investment monitoring framework and promotes related activities to mitigate investment related risks. Monitors global markets and economic indicators to assist in developing macroeconomic views. Applies understanding of asset class inter-relationships in tactical portfolio positioning. Helps create risk and return expectations for various asset classes. Conducts and compiles independent research, including interpreting market changes that may impact specific asset classes. Coordinates and conducts research on multiple markets in support of the Terra Maria program. Conducts special projects as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Education: Four-year degree from an accredited four-year college/University in the humanities, sciences or a related field including Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, Physics, Engineering, Economics, or Finance. Experience: Applicants can substitute a minimum of four years of relevant investments or finance for the required education qualification. Desired or Preferred Qualifications Preferred Qualifications: A candidate will have some of the experiences, knowledge and accomplishments listed below to achieve success with the position’s responsibilities: Experience in investment operations at a pension, endowment, foundation, or other institutional investment organizations. Strong quantitative analysis and research skills for researching and developing workflow models. Experience with investment operational process in multi-asset portfolios including derivatives, collateral management, fixed income and equities. Knowledge of collateral management process, AANA calculations, margining, settlements, Bloomberg account set ups. The capacity to use critical thinking and system thinking to solve problems for investment operations. Strong financial modeling skills with a focus on modeling investments. Strong communication skills. Demonstrated ability and willingness to be collaborative across the division. Ability to understand and operate within a strong governance and compliance culture. Special Requirements A resume and cover letter are required to be uploaded with your application as well as an official transcript. Due to the confidential nature of the work, selected candidates must undergo and pass a background and credit check. Bargaining Unit Status This position is exempt from Bargaining. Benefits This is a full-time, permanent position and eligible for full State benefits, which include: Hybrid teleworking Paid holidays 12-13 per year Generous paid leave package (annual, sick, personal and compensatory leave) State Pension ('defined benefit' plan) Tax-deferred supplemental retirement savings plans (401(k) and 457) Comprehensive, subsidized health, dental and prescription plans with little to no deductibles, free generic prescriptions and free preventative health services Flexible Spending Account plans for Health Care and Daycare State Employees Credit Union To learn more, please click this link: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay. #J-18808-Ljbffr