Associate Director

The Business

Our Investments business provides advice and discretionary investment management solutions to defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans as well as to a range of other client types including insurers, endowments and foundations, and private wealth investors. We provide a solution to a significant business problem faced by our clients, namely sustaining the resources and skills required to deliver a financial services product in highly competitive capital markets. We offer a flexible approach that adapts to a wide range of client needs and circumstances, with the objective of higher returns, lower risk and lower costs within each client’s unique situation.

The Role

DUTIES:

• Associate Director within Investment Line of Business at Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc. 

• Function as an Assistant Portfolio Manager responsible for supporting and driving portfolio management and related client service activities for Americas Delegated Investment Services (DIS) accounts and the funds that we build and manage to assist in the construction of multi-asset portfolios. 

• Work with internal teams (Portfolio Managers, Client Leads, Implementation team, etc.) to provide a positive experience for delegated clients.

• Provide analysis and decision support for portfolios invested globally across all asset classes. 

• Determine investment strategy and asset allocation for the client base, including multi-manager funds.

• Work with Portfolio Management and Research Teams to develop proposals for portfolio changes, identifying and following up on areas requiring further analysis or research.

• Manage cash flow need and movements.

• Oversee creation of agenda and materials for Investment Committee meetings.

• Draft and maintain clear documentation of portfolio decisions, ensuring audit trail for client specific differences from model portfolios.

• Carry out ad-hoc analysis/projects as needed.

• Build relationships internally and collaborate effectively on cross-functional teams, including Research, Portfolio Management, Operations and business development and client service teams.

• Contribute to the DIS business' operating leverage through efficient support of the firm's investment process and seek process enhancements to improve consistency and delivery of portfolio management.

• Contribute to sales and marketing efforts by drafting portfolio proposals and responding to portfolio management questions within Requests for Proposals.

• Reports to Philadelphia, PA office.  Remote work permitted from any US location.

• Salary range = $125,000 to $136,000 per annum.

The Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree (U.S. or foreign equivalent) in Finance, Economics or a related field

• Four (4) years of experience as a Portfolio Analyst, Portfolio Manager or related role.

• Prior experience producing multi-asset and asset class specific quarterly investment performance evaluation and commentary reports for delivery to clients and fund investors. 

• Prior experience evaluating and analyzing investment performance and portfolio characteristics and producing regular performance updates. 

• Prior experience  performing asset allocation analysis and working with pension strategy teams on asset/liability studies.

• Prior experience with portfolio construction and ongoing management of institutional investors' portfolios, in particular defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans.

• Experience working as an associate portfolio manager on multi-asset class portfolios as well as specializing in at least one sub-asset class from equities, alternative credit, private markets, real assets or liquid diversifiers.

• Prior experience supporting investment strategy and asset allocation decisions for the defined benefit client base, including multi-manager asset-class portfolios and liability hedging portfolios.

• Prior experience working with Manager Research and Asset Research Teams to develop proposals for portfolio changes, identifying and following up on areas requiring further analysis or research.

• Prior experience developing and presenting investment proposals to internal and external Investment Committees. 

• Progress towards completion of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program or equivalent (MBA, CAIA, Actuarial exams)

• Prior experience serving as a mentor and assisting the development of junior investment analysts investment acumen.

• Prior experience supporting new business in proposals and pitches for new defined benefit clients.