Sr. Investment Analyst – Multi-Asset Research

Develops and provides expert analysis and recommendations for asset allocation and risk management as well as investment selection, monitoring and deselection. Leads work on asset allocation programs providing due diligence and daily oversight.  Conducts independent investment research as basis for whitepapers, and bespoke investment research projects, for both internal and external use.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to Sr. Director Asset Strategies

Preferred Programming experience:

• Candidate should have moderate programming experience in Python, MatLab or similar language
• Demonstrated experience programming asset allocation models and backtesting portfolio solutions a plus
• Candidate should be comfortable creating programming tools to supplement an investment and portfolio management process

In addition please review for more information regarding the duties and responsibilities of the role.

1.  Assists Director in leading development and enhancement efforts of new and existing asset allocation products.    

2.  Conducts analysis of asset class optimization for asset allocation programs, multi-sleeve funds, multi-manager funds and similarly constructed products. Recommends addition of new asset classes and underlying investments.  Monitors performance and risk of existing funds and managers. 

3. Develops and maintains investment related risk reporting on Asset Allocation funds via various systems (Factset, Bloomberg, other)

4.  Develops models and analysis to inform the portfolio construction process

5.  Makes recommendations, based on investment experience and market knowledge, for the inclusion or exclusion of investment strategies in portfolios. Ensures recommendations are consistent with business requirements as well as legal compliance parameters. Maintains and updates strategies when necessary.

6.  Reviews industry trends to identify and monitor top investment managers/funds/strategies to determine their effectiveness with a view toward possible inclusion in portfolios.

7.  Collaborates with other teams in the development of new products

8.  Maintains ongoing dialogue with the Product Management to determine specific investment option requirements, update on programs changes and respond to questions specific to the Asset Allocation Funds.
9. Assists Manager Strategies with on-site investment due diligence of current and potential investment managers.

10. Stays abreast of current academic work on improvements in qualitative and quantitative research that could be applied to IMG's platform. 

11.  Other duties as assigned.  

**Required to get Series 7 within 90 days

Job Description Summary

Are you intrigued by every aspect of the investment business – from long only strategies to alternative investment types? Has your education, skills and professional experience prepared you to oversee all the essential work that delivers high quality investment services and substantial returns? If you are passionate about putting your higher-level thinking to work in investment management, we’d like to know more about you!

In Nationwide’s Investment Management Group (IMG), we’ve earned a great reputation in the industry and we value team members who love this business and want to learn, grow and advance in the profession.

As a Senior Investment Analyst, you'll be responsible for providing recommendations for sub-advisor selection and for making overweight/underweight recommendations for asset allocation models. As primary coverage for these sub-advisor relationships, responsibilities will include initial due diligence, daily oversight and monitoring, deselection, transition management and collaboration with other parties.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads development efforts of technical criteria for selection and monitoring of investment managers to be used as sub-advisors of Nationwide Financial Group (NFG) products and/or third-party funds included in Nationwide Financial (NF) products.

• Serves as the top subject matter authority in the analysis of mutual funds and other investment products. Recommends addition of new funds/managers. Monitors existing funds/managers for satisfactory performance.

• Reviews investment performance reports, securities holdings, contribution and attribution reports to assess portfolio performance for sub-advised and third party portfolios.  Communicates findings in Investment Committee and appropriate investment venues.

• Utilizes market and fund performance data to provide portfolio structuring insights both externally and internally.

• Provides sub-advisor analysis, evaluates marketplace trends, studies competitor filings and recommends sub-advisor management and selection options for the supported group. Assures the integrity of the selection process and decisions.

• Performs unique market research to develop investment theses.  

• Represents the business segment to Marketing when developing sub-advisor-related collateral.

• Conducts on-site investment due diligence visits, as needed. 

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to IMG Executive Leader. 

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate studies in business, finance, economics, accounting or a related field. Graduate studies preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: CFA preferred.

Experience: Ten years of related experience in financial services investment management, including sub-advisor selection and administration.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Authoritative knowledge of investment products and distribution strategy. Proven knowledge of performance measurement and style analysis. Understands the dynamics of selecting and managing sub-advisor relationships. Working knowledge of all vendor software used by Manager Strategies team. Demonstrated technical knowledge of investments, sub-advisor selection and industry dynamics. Relationship-building skills for use with both internal and external partners. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. 

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and HR Business Partner.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Extended work hours may be required based on workload. May require occasional travel.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.