Portfolio Manager, Private Equity

University of Chicago - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Chicago, IL

Educational Services

About the position

The Portfolio Manager in the Private Equity Department at the University of Chicago's Office of Investments plays a crucial role in managing the university's endowment assets. This position involves analyzing and recommending investment managers and strategies that align with the university's long-term investment objectives while considering risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The Portfolio Manager will work independently and collaboratively with senior team members, ensuring the financial foundation of the institution is robust for future generations.

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 directs 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.

Requirements

• Minimum college or university degree in a related field.
• 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• 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.
• Superior analytical skills and a proven track record of incorporating quantitative and qualitative inputs.

Nice-to-haves

• MBA or advanced degree in finance, economics, or related field.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
• A proven relationship builder with a strong network in the institutional investor community.
• 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.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling options
• Professional development opportunities