Director, Portfolio Construction (Prudential Investments) Job Listing at Prudential in Newark, NJ

Insurance, Finance

Position Overview:
The Strategic Investment Research Group (SIRG) is a full service organization that provides investment consulting services and discretionary multi-manager portfolio management.  Total assets under advisement exceed $250 billion and manage over $30 billion in discretionary assets.  SIRG is a unit of Prudential Investments, a registered investment advisor and division of Prudential Financial. 
SIRG's client varied with services offered primarily across the Prudential organization.  Total assets under advisement exceed $250 billion
Description: Assist in the management of asset allocation and multi-manager model "fund of funds" portfolios managed by the Strategic Investment Research Group, an investment group within Prudential Investments.  
Requirements: Knowledge of investment and portfolio management theory, accounting and financial principles, investment strategies and associated instruments, and characteristics of various markets, usually acquired through formal education and work experience, are required. Knowledge of investment terminology and the laws and regulations governing 1940 Act investments and taxation are also required.
Decision-making, sales, and negotiating skills are required to guide sensitive or difficult situations through to agreement.
 
Major Duties
 

• Analyze and plan an overall investment strategy, with potentially continuous revision of account objectives, in context of client needs.

 

• Manage portfolios that may require complex decision-making or special handling due to the nature of the relationship, size, or type of assets managed. Steer and handle sensitive client issues, coordinating with legal/compliance and senior staff.

 

• Develop, recommend, and direct the execution of portfolios/sleeves designed to achieve predetermined investment objectives for clients.

 

• Ensures the completion of processing needs relative to the administration of assigned accounts.

·         Rebalance portfolios to maximize tax-efficiency
·         Construct custom benchmark data
·         Generate return data for both portfolios and benchmarks
 

• Generate risk and performance reports using a variety of software applications

• Manager Research

·         Analyze and evaluate investment managers in the traditional long-only and alternative sectors
·         Monitor managers with regard to performance, conformity to stated investment style, risk, accounting standards, etc.
 

• Participate in the development of new investment business.


• Serve on standing investment services committee and on ad hoc unit committees as appropriate.

 

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate should have experience in investments with a background in investment manager research, analysis, evaluation, recommendation and selection of investment managers from an investment consulting, investment management or financial institution.  The ideal candidate will have some of the following qualifications/characteristics:
 

• Knowledge of investment and portfolio management theory, accounting and financial principles, associated investment strategies and instruments, and characteristics of various marketplaces, usually acquired through formal education and work experience.
• CFA designation, Graduate degree desirable;
• A minimum of 5 years experience in the discipline of manager research and selection evidencing strong quantitative and qualitative approach in the research, due diligence and selection of investment managers;
• Ability to provide an established list of recommended managers representing a broad spectrum of asset classes desirable;
• A collaborative team player with "hands-on", "in the trenches" work ethic/approach who exhibits the capability to successfully manage a growth mandate;
• Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to establish credibility and effectively interact with multiple constituencies both internally and externally, at all levels;
• Effectively interacts with and provides feedback to peers, superiors, and less senior members of the organization in a constructive manner;
• Strong ability to communicate and work with clients in a consultative manner;
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills;
• Proactive decision making skills; effectively identifies/anticipates key investment issues and makes appropriate decisions/recommendations;
•  Maintains confidentiality and the highest integrity; is discreet and capable of commanding respect from colleagues, clients and peers;
• Diplomatic, tactful and pragmatic; and
• Exhibits strong presence and the self-confidence necessary to instill trust and confidence with all clients and colleagues internally and externally.