Associate Investment Officer

Position: The Associate Investment Officer (AIO) works with other Investment staff in managing SURS defined benefit and defined contribution plans. This role will focus on the risk management effort and SURS defined contribution plans. The AIO will collaborate with the Senior Investment Officer (SIO) to create and maintain a robust risk management program and insightful risk and performance reporting. This team is responsible for the Crisis Risk Offset portfolio, comprising 20% of plan assets. The AIO will monitor and evaluate managers including Alternative Risk Premia, Systematic Trend and Long Volatility strategies. Additionally, this role will partner with the SIO to monitor investment options in SURS defined contribution plans. 

This role will have the opportunity to further develop expertise on investment risk management, alternative investment strategies, public market fixed income and equity mandates as well as private market mandates (such as real estate, infrastructure, private equity and private credit) depending on projects and interest/skills of the candidate.

Position Type: Full-time | Hybrid, Based in Champaign, IL

Main Duties:

• In partnership with SIO, contribute to the creation and evaluation of total plan and asset class specific investment risk reporting and communication.
• Responsible for maintaining and improving new risk reports for diverse stakeholders.
• Crucial team member for the implementation of new analytics tool. Developing processes to support adoption of the system.
• Act as subject matter expert for new risk and performance analytics tool, supporting the larger team’s understanding and use of the system.
• Contribute to the evaluation, and monitoring of Crisis Risk Offset investment managers, including Alternative Risk Premia, Systematic Trend Following and Long Volatility strategies.
• Responsible for the evaluation and monitoring of investment options in the deferred compensation plans.
• Collaborating with the SIO and Deferred Compensation Plan Manager, responsible for creating and delivering board reports for the DC plans.
• Act as a subject matter expert for defined contribution trends for the investment team
• Trouble-shoot as needed with SURS custodian to ensure data accuracy, performance calculations.
• Support vendor relationships including plan consultants, custodian and securities lending agent.

1. Working with the team analyst, routinely audit and evaluate vendor reports and activities

• Additional responsibilities could include:

1. Coordination of plan reporting with SURS consultants

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s of Science or Bachelor’s of Arts in a related field.
2. Four years of related work experience.
3. Solid understanding of investment principles.
4. Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
5. Good oral and written skills.
6. Strong computer skills. Microsoft Office Suite experience preferred.
7. Positive attitude and strong collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working at, or with, institutional investors.
• Experience working with risk and performance systems.
• Relevant experience or course work in derivatives (options, futures and SWAPS etc.).
• Currently pursuing, or interested in, advanced certifications such as CFA, CAIA or FRM programs.

Position Information

This is a full-time position is based in Champaign, IL. This position does have the opportunity for hybrid work. The starting salary range for this position is $82,597 - $91,890. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for a position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Benefits

• Insurance benefits, including medical, vision and dental
• Participation in SURS retirement plan
• Paid vacation, sick leave and 10 paid holidays
• 2 Additional Floating holidays after 6 months of employment
• Paid Parental Leave after six months of employment
• Casual/business casual attire (dependent on job duties)
• Flexible work environment
• Free parking
• 37.5-hour standard work week
• Find more details regarding the benefits SURS offers at: SURS Employee Benefits - SURS