STRS OHIO, STRS

The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio) is seeking an Securitized Products focused analyst to join its Investments/Fixed Income Department. Established in 1920 and serving Ohio’s educators, STRS Ohio is one of the nation’s premier retirement systems that provides rewarding work in a professional, business casual work environment and welcomes, celebrates and promotes respect for each individual. We are continually seeking bright individuals to join our team.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary: Competitive

STRS Ohio provides a comprehensive benefits package including free on-site parking, education assistance, subsidized medical insurance, fully paid dental and life insurance, vacation and sick leave, retirement benefits and an on-site fitness center.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

GRADE 310, SECURITIES ANALYST I

Under the direction of a portfolio manager, Fixed Income, conduct research and make investment recommendations based on fundamental security analysis, with an emphasis on securitized products.

GRADE 311, SECURITIES ANALYST II

Under the direction of a portfolio manager, Fixed Income, assist in researching, developing and implementing fixed income portfolio strategies with an emphasis on securitized products.

GRADE 312, SENIOR SECURITIES ANALYST AND GRADE 314, ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO MANAGER

Under the direction a portfolio manager, Fixed Income, assist in developing and implementing fixed income portfolio strategies with an emphasis on securitized products.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

GRADE 310, SECURITIES ANALYST I

1. Participate in investment strategy discussions and assist in the development of portfolio strategies based upon the analysis of macro-economic factors and sector fundamentals as they affect the level of interest rates and the relative value among fixed income sectors, such that fixed income performance exceeds the benchmark on a long-term basis.
2. Provide research support and investment recommendations in the development and implementation of investment strategies pertaining to securitized products.
3. Integrate internal fundamental research with external sources to rank order sectors and securities according to their relative value.
4. Develop a detailed understanding of fixed income valuation and relative value among sectors.
5. Develop a detailed understanding of the fixed income investment process at State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio).
6. Learn the process for updating and maintaining the fixed income analytics systems including Bloomberg Barclays Port to analyze market and portfolio risks.
7. Occasional travel including calling on sell-side and rating agency analysts, and attending seminars, conferences and financial analyst meetings.
8. Prepare special projects as directed.

GRADE 311, SECURITIES ANALYST II

1. Participate in investment strategy discussions and assist in the development of portfolio strategies based upon the analysis of macro-economic factors and sector fundamentals as they affect the level of interest rates and the relative value among fixed income sectors, such that fixed income performance exceeds the benchmark on a long-term basis.
2. Contribute to the analysis, recommendation, trade execution and monitoring of fixed income securities with primary emphasis on securitized products.
3. Integrate internal economic and credit research with external research to rank order sectors and securities according to their fundamental relative value.
4. Develop a detailed understanding of the models and analytics used in Bloomberg, Internally Developed Models and other similar analytical systems. Update data and evaluate output from these systems to assist in the management of the overall fixed income portfolio. 
5. Occasional travel including calling on sell-side and rating agency analysts, attending seminars, conferences and financial analyst meetings.
6. Prepare special projects as directed.

GRADE 312, SENIOR SECURITIES ANALYST

1. Participate in investment strategy discussions and assist in the development of portfolio strategies based upon the analysis of macro-economic factors and sector fundamentals as they affect the level of interest rates and the relative value among fixed income sectors, such that fixed income performance exceeds the benchmark on a long-term basis.
2. Research, analyze and develop recommendations pertaining to the valuations and trends of the residential housing market, commercial real estate loan market and consumer finance markets.
3. Develop scenarios, which include both the path of interest rates and relevant collateral risk into the pricing of underlying assets in mortgage-backed securities, CMBS and ABS.
4. Research, analyze and conduct due diligence on the deal structures and tranches of mortgage-backed securities, CMBS and ABS.
5. Integrate underlying collateral analysis with deal structure and tranche analysis to determine relative value.
6. Make recommendations regarding present and future relative values of fixed income sectors and securities.
7. Participate in investment strategy discussions with other fixed income associates.
8. Assist in developing and implementing fixed income investment strategies for the Annual Investment Plan.
9. Utilize and support analytics systems to analyze market and portfolio risks.
10. Occasional travel including calling on sell-side and rating agency analysts, and attending seminars, conferences and financial analyst meetings.
11. Prepare special projects as directed.

GRADE 314, ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO MANAGER

1. Participate in investment strategy discussions and assist in the development of portfolio strategies based upon the analysis of macro-economic factors and sector fundamentals as they affect the level of interest rates and the relative value among fixed income sectors, such that fixed income performance exceeds the benchmark on a long-term basis.
2. Research, analyze and develop recommendations pertaining to the valuation and trends of the residential housing market, commercial real estate loan market and consumer finance markets.
3. Develop scenarios, which include both the path of interest rates and relevant collateral risk into the pricing of underlying assets in mortgage-backed securities, CMBS and ABS.
4. Research, analyze and conduct due diligence on the deal structures and tranches of mortgage-backed securities, CMBS and ABS.
5. Integrate underlying collateral analysis with deal structure and tranche analysis to determine relative value.
6. Make recommendations regarding present and future relative values of fixed income sectors and securities.
7. Participate in investment strategy discussions with other fixed income associates.
8. Assist in developing and implementing fixed income investment strategies for the Annual Investment Plan.
9. Utilize and support analytics systems to analyze market and portfolio risks.
10. Occasional travel including calling on sell-side and rating agency analysts, and attending seminars, conferences and financial analyst meetings.
11. Prepare special projects as directed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

GRADE 310, SECURITIES ANALYST I

1. Bachelor's degree in business administration with emphasis in accounting, finance, or related field required.
2. Master’s degree preferred.
3. One to two years experience as a securities analyst preferred.
4. Successful completion of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 exam is recommended.
5. Above-average analytical and problem-solving skills required.
6. Ability to work with and preserve confidential information required.
7. Above-average oral and written communication skills required.
8. Interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively and courteously with internal and external contacts required.
9. Above-average organizational skills, high degree of accuracy and attention to detail required to handle multiple tasks.
10. Proven ability to operate Microsoft Office programs and standard office equipment required.
11. Ability to work independently, in a team environment and the ability to meet deadlines with minimal direct supervision required.
12. Excellent work record of attendance, punctuality and the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule to meet business needs. Occasional evening, weekend and non-regular work hours may be required.

GRADE 311, SECURITIES ANALYST II

1. Bachelor’s degree in business administration with emphasis in accounting, finance or related field required.
2. Master’s degree preferred.
3. Two to four years’ experience as a securities analyst in fixed income investments or a closely related field preferred.
4. Successful completion of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 exam is recommended.
5. Through understanding of investment process and fixed income securities valuation required.
6. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills required.
7. Strong quantitative skills combined with ability to work with databases and modeling of cash flows required.
8. Ability to research and analyze data and make valid conclusions required.
9. Knowledge of relevant analytical software preferred.
10. Ability to work with and preserve confidential information required.
11. Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
12. Interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively and courteously with internal and external contacts required.
13. Excellent organizational skills, high degree of accuracy and attention to detail required to handle multiple tasks.
14. Proven ability to operate Microsoft Office programs and standard office equipment required.
15. Ability to work independently, in a team environment and the ability to meet deadlines with minimal direct supervision required.
16. Excellent work record of attendance, punctuality and the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule to meet business needs. Occasional evening, weekend and non-regular work hours may be required.

GRADE 312, SENIOR SECURITIES ANALYST

1. Bachelor's degree in business administration with emphasis in accounting, finance, or related field required.
2. Master's degree with emphasis in finance preferred.
3. Four to six years’ of demonstrated success as a securitized products portfolio manager, trader or analyst required.
4. Successful completion of Chartered Financial Analyst Program (CFA) strongly recommended.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of securitized products proficiency including agency mortgaged-backed securities, non-agency MBS, CMBS, ABS and relevant derivatives required.
6. Demonstrated ability to research, analyze and make investment recommendations required.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of investment process and fixed income securities valuation, the ability to execute, various fixed income trading strategies required.
8. Knowledge of relevant analytical software preferred.
9. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills required.
10. Ability to work with and preserve confidential information required.
11. Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
12. Interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively and courteously with internal and external contacts required.
13. Excellent organizational skills, high degree of accuracy and attention to detail required to handle multiple tasks.
14. Proven ability to operate Microsoft Office programs and standard office equipment required.
15. Ability to work independently, in a team environment and the ability to meet deadlines with minimal direct supervision required.
16. Excellent work record of attendance, punctuality and the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule to meet business needs. Occasional evening, weekend and non-regular work hours may be required.

GRADE 314, ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO MANAGER

1. Bachelor's degree in business administration with emphasis in accounting, finance, or related field required.
2. Master's degree with emphasis in finance preferred.
3. Six to ten years’ of demonstrated success as a securitized product portfolio manager, trader or analyst required.
4. Successful completion of Chartered Financial Analyst Program (CFA) strongly recommended.
5. Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, and make investment recommendations required.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of securitized products proficiency including agency mortgaged-backed securities, non-agency MBS, CMBS, ABS and relevant derivatives required.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of investment process and fixed income securities valuation, the ability to execute, various fixed income trading strategies required.
8. Knowledge of relevant analytical software preferred.
9. Superior analytical and problem-solving skills required.
10. Ability to work with and preserve confidential information required.
11. Superior oral and written communication skills required.
12. Interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively and courteously with internal and external contacts required.
13. Superior organizational skills, high degree of accuracy and attention to detail required to handle multiple tasks.
14. Proven ability to operate Microsoft Office programs and standard office equipment required.
15. Ability to work independently, in a team environment and the ability to meet deadlines with minimal direct supervision required.
16. Excellent work record of attendance, punctuality and the ability to maintain a flexible work schedule to meet business needs. Occasional evening, weekend and non-regular work hours may be required.

The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the persons so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision.

Required Skills Required Experience