Summary
The Junior Analyst role at First Trust Alternative Investment Research (“FT AIR”) is focused on supporting all aspects of the investment due diligence efforts with respect to the firm’s hedge fund, private equity, venture capital, real estate, private credit, and liquid alternatives investments and related co-investment opportunities. The Junior Analyst engages in detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of a range of alternative investments and is responsible for conveying their findings effectively to the firm’s broader investment team. This role requires analytical and technical skills as well as verbal and written communication skills. The Junior Analyst role sits within the fifteen-person investment research team of FT AIR.
Principal Responsibilities
- Perform qualitative and quantitative assessments of alternative investment managers and strategies
- Participate in calls and meetings with existing and prospective alternative asset managers
- Compile and distribute formal written notes related to existing and potential investment meetings
- Function as a point of contact for the investment team with prospective and existing portfolio investments
- Perform ad hoc statistical analyses of fund risk exposures
- Support the creation of broader investment committee recommendations
- Lead the effort to maintain updated firm and fund materials with respect to existing investments
- Provide analytical support to evaluate existing client portfolio investment performance
- Responsible for maintaining and improving current investment due diligence work-flow processes
- Provide operational and investment support for internally managed portfolios
- Assist in various ad hoc research projects related to new product development
- Participate in the creation of market/industry commentary for firm marketing efforts
- Support the sourcing of new liquid and alternative investment strategies
Qualifications
- 0-2 years of relevant work experience in investment banking, asset management, or related field
- Excellent undergraduate academic record
- Interest in or progress toward the CFA designation a plus
- Interest in understanding hedge fund, private equity, private credit, and real estate strategies
- Effective communicator, both written and verbal
- Strong grasp of statistics used in financial analysis
- A demonstrated high level of analytical/quantitative skill
- Passion for the alternative asset management industry
- Ability to manage simultaneous projects, often with time constraints
- Self-motivated and highly curious
- A willingness to travel both domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time
Technical/Systems Skills
- Highly proficient in: Microsoft Excel, Power Point, and Word
- Experience with: Bloomberg, Morningstar, Preqin, eVestment/Pertrac, LightKeeper, Enfusion a plus
First Trust Capital Management (“FTCM”) is a privately-owned alternative investment research and asset management firm that advises investment advisors, family offices, and high net worth individuals. FTCM was created on the belief that an independent firm was the best way to ensure our clients were served with their greatest interests in mind – both in terms of customized alternative investment solutions and a streamlined operational experience when investing in private and liquid alternatives. FTCM houses a specialized business unit called FT Alternative Investment Research. This dedicated investment research team operates as a supportive unit to our advisor clients as well as a resource for a select group of institutional clients and family offices. The sole purpose of this dedicated team is to find investment solutions to enhance client portfolios. In 2022, FT AIR:
• Participated in over 350 portfolio manager meetings
• Performed initial review of 500 investment strategies
• Participated in over 25 capital introduction events
• Attended 10 top-tier investment conferences
Investment due diligence covers all asset classes and strategies, wherein the Research Team maintains a proprietary database of portfolio managers and all related correspondence. Importantly, the Research Team does not perform database screens to identify prospective portfolio managers. The vast majority of currently sourced funds and strategies have come through our extensive network and reach within the investment community as opposed to any screening process. Prior to making any allocations, the Research Team sets the expectation with the fund manager and their team that we require a certain level of transparency and access. We perform ongoing due diligence on our approved managers to ensure that are adhering to their style, process and investment mandate.
Compensation/Benefits
- Starting salary: commensurate with experience
- Performance bonuses
- Healthcare coverage
- 401K with employer matched contributions after 1 year of service
- Paid vacation/time off
