Portfolio Manager, Private Equity at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department



Investment Private Equity



About the Department



The Office of Investments is committed to protecting and growing the University of Chicago's endowment assets to support UChicago's mission of inquiry and academic excellence. Our office invests the University's endowment while operating under the guidance of the University's Board of Trustees Investment Committee.


The University of Chicago's endowment pool is one of the 20 largest private university endowments in the United States. We thrive on innovation and active sourcing of investment opportunities. We believe superior investment opportunities rarely find us, instead we seek them out.



Job Summary



The Investment Office is seeking a Portfolio Manager to become an active member of our investment team, a group of portfolio managers and analysts who value teamwork, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration. A successful candidate will have the opportunity to meet with leading investors from around the world, and their work will directly impact the financial foundation of the institution, ensuring continuation of the University of Chicago mission for current and future generations.


The Portfolio Manager will work independently to analyze and recommend investment managers and strategies that support the long-term investment objectives of the University, with extra attention given to the portfolio's risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The Portfolio Manager will maintain expert standards in manager due diligence and ongoing monitoring of the University's investments. They will prepare and deliver verbal and written presentations to the CIO and internal committees, and they will review and confirm the work completed by others. The position will work jointly with the Senior Portfolio Managers and Managing Director and will provide guidance to less experienced staff.



Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a long-term global investment strategy. Primarily responsible for managing assigned investment portfolios.


• Identifies compelling investment opportunities, completing due diligence, managing the review of legal documents and negotiating terms, and monitoring results.


• Monitors and manages relationships with existing external investment managers, researching broad investment trends, and evaluating and selecting new external managers.


• Manages the diversification of portfolio by asset class, partnerships, manager style, industry, vintage year, life cycle, and geography. Forecasts allocations based on investment activity and direct pace of future investing.


• Prepares and delivers verbal and written presentations to the CIO and internal committees. Reviews and confirms the work completed by others.


• Assists in building the team's reputation for professional excellence and credibility both inside the University of Chicago and throughout the investment management community.


• Works mostly independently to develop the Investment Policy Statement to achieve the University's goals. Collaborates with asset class specialists and risk management team to develop overall goals and strategy for the University investment funds. Tailors the strategy to the appropriate risk tolerance and liquidity needs for the University endowment and other investment funds.


• Uses a deep understanding of financial management to assess all asset classes and investments to provide a unique overall perspective across the staff's investment strategies.


• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications




Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:




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Preferred Qualifications




Education:

• MBA or advanced degree in finance, economics, or related field.

Experience:

• A proven investor with a minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience working as a direct investor, or manager of managers in an institutional, family office or plan sponsor workplace.


• Experience investing globally is highly valued.


• Constructing and executing investment and asset allocation strategies across a broad portfolio managed by a team.


• Identify and manage risk within a portfolio.

Certifications:

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Superior analytical skills and a proven track record of incorporating quantitative and qualitative inputs; think strategically, analyze critically, and synthesize and effectively communicate complex strategies.

Preferred Competencies

• A proven relationship builder with a strong network in the institutional investor community.


• Constructively challenge, skillfully diplomatic, and respectfully debate.


• A demonstrated leader with the confidence and professional credibility to cultivate relationships with both internal and external constituents, and to make effective oral presentations representing the University of Chicago in a highly professional manner.


• Previous experience coaching and developing more junior professionals.


• Excellent judgement, high integrity and personal values consistent with the values articulated by the University of Chicago's leadership.


• An energetic, hardworking individual with a proven track record as a collaborator.


• A high level of intellectual curiosity.


• A team player who is easy to get along with and is comfortable working across teams.


• An interest in supporting the work of a university endowment.

Working Conditions

• Travel in US and internationally, 20-60% of the time dependent on time of year, generally to attend annual meetings in the spring and fall.


• Office setting Monday-Wednesday; remote optionality Thursday and Friday.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)


• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family



Financial Management



Role Impact



Individual Contributor



FLSA Status



Exempt



Pay Frequency



Monthly



Scheduled
Weekly Hours



37.5



Benefits Eligible



Yes



Drug Test Required



No



Health Screen Required



No



Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required



No



Posting Statement



The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.


Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.


We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.


All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.


The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637. Apply Now