STRS OHIO, STRS

The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio) is seeking a Private Equity focused Analyst to join its Alternative Investments 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:

Under the direction of the director, Fixed Income and Alternative Investments assist in the investment decision-making process, ongoing management, monitoring and evaluation of the alternative investments portfolio.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

GRADE 310, ANALYST I 

1. Assist in the development of portfolio strategies based upon internally or externally implemented investment strategies, such that the private equity portfolio exceed its mandate on a long-term basis.
2. Assist with analyzing prospective investment opportunities, including meeting with principals, conducting due diligence, conferring with outside parties and preparing investment recommendations.
3. Assist with the build of financial models to assist in portfolio and investment evaluation.
4. Review, analyze and actively participate in investment recommendations prepared by other members of Alternative Investments.
5. Develop relationships with private equity firms and monitor portfolio companies.
6. Review financial reports and other documents pertaining to alternative investments to ensure and verify accuracy of market values, fees, and expenses as reported, and conduct additional due diligence as required.
7. Assist with the preparation of semi-annual investment updates for each investment and present them to the appropriate investment team.
8. Travel, not to exceed 15% of work time, including annual meetings and advisory committee meetings with principals of pooled investment funds, meetings with outside management teams responsible for direct investments, and various industry conferences.
9. Prepare special projects as directed.

GRADE 311, ANALYST II

1. Develop portfolio strategies based upon internally or externally implemented investment strategies, such that the private equity portfolio exceed its mandate on a long-term basis.
2. Analyze prospective investment opportunities, including meeting with principals, conducting due diligence, conferring with outside parties and preparing investment recommendations.
3. Build financial models to assist in portfolio and investment evaluation.
4. Review, analyze and actively participate in investment recommendations prepared by other members of alternative investments.
5. Develop relationships with private equity firms and monitor portfolio companies.
6. Review financial reports and other documents pertaining to alternative investments to ensure and verify accuracy of market values, fees, and expenses as reported, and conduct additional due diligence as required.
7. Prepare semi-annual investment updates for each investment and present them to the appropriate investment team.
8. Travel, not to exceed 15% of work time, including annual meetings and advisory committee meetings with principals of pooled investment funds, meetings with outside management teams responsible for direct investments, and various industry conferences.
9. Prepare special projects as directed.

GRADE 312, SENIOR ANALYST

1. Develop portfolio strategies based upon internally or externally implemented investment strategies, such that the private equity portfolio exceed its mandate on a long-term basis.
2. Evaluate prospective investment opportunities, including meeting with principals, conducting due diligence, conferring with outside parties and preparing investment recommendations.
3. Develop and maintain external relationships which generate high-quality deal flow and due diligence supporting investment activities.
4. Participate or lead internal deal team efforts to source, analyze, recommend, structure, negotiate and execute alternative investment strategies including direct and co-investments.
5. Represent STRS Ohio by actively monitoring existing investments and recommend investment action.
6. Review, analyze and comment on investment recommendations prepared by other members of Alternative Investments.
7. Review financial reports and other documents pertaining to alternative investments to ensure and verify accuracy of market values, fees and expenses as reported, and conduct additional due diligence as required.
8. Travel, not to exceed 20% of work time, including meetings with external managers, annual meetings, advisory committee meetings with principals of pooled investment funds, and various industry conferences.
9. Prepare special projects as directed.

GRADE 314, ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO MANAGER

1. Develop portfolio strategies based upon internally or externally implemented investment strategies, such that the private equity portfolio exceed its mandate on a long-term basis.
2. Generate and evaluate prospective investment opportunities, including meeting with principals, conducting due diligence, conferring with outside parties and preparing investment recommendations.
3. Lead or support internal deal team efforts to source, analyze, recommend, structure, negotiate and execute alternative investment strategies including direct and co-investments.
4. Develop and maintain strategic partner relationships which generate high-quality deal flow and due diligence supporting investment activities.
5. Represent STRS Ohio by actively monitoring existing investments and recommend investment action.
6. Review, analyze and comment on investment recommendations prepared by other members of Alternative Investments.
7. Review financial reports and other documents pertaining to alternative investments to ensure and verify accuracy of market values, fees, and expenses as reported, and conduct additional due diligence as required.
8. Travel, not to exceed 20% of work time, including meetings with portfolio investments, external managers, annual meetings, advisory committee meetings with principals of portfolio companies, pooled investment funds, and various industry conferences.
9. Prepare special projects as directed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

GRADE 310, ANALYST I

1. Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree in business administration, economics, statistics, finance or related field preferred.
2. One to two years’ experience in private equity, private credit, co-investments, secondary funds, investment banking, investment research or investment consulting is strongly recommended.
3. Proficiency in the use of spreadsheet software required. Experience with performance reporting and internal rate of return (IRR) analysis preferred.
4. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail required.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills combined with excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Strong research, financial modeling, analytical, valuation skills and proficiency.
7. Ability to work well with minimal direct supervision.
8. Excellent work record of attendance and punctuality; occasional evening, weekend and non-regular work hours required.

GRADE 311, ANALYST II

1. Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree in business administration, economics, statistics, finance or related field preferred.
2. Two to four years’ experience in private equity, private credit, co-investments, secondary funds, investment banking, investment research or investment consulting is strongly recommended.
3. Proficiency in the use of spreadsheet software required. Experience with performance reporting and internal rate of return (IRR) analysis preferred.
4. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail required.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills combined with excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Strong research, financial modeling, analytical, valuation skills and proficiency.
7. Ability to work well with minimal direct supervision.
8. Excellent work record of attendance and punctuality; occasional evening, weekend and non-regular work hours required.

GRADE 312, SENIOR ANALYST

1. Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in business administration, economics, statistics or finance is strongly preferred.
2. Four to six years’ experience in private equity, credit markets, co-investments, secondary funds, investment banking, investment research or investment consulting is strongly recommended.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills combined with excellent oral and written communication skills.
4. Successful completion of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is strongly preferred.
5. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail required.
6. Strong research, financial modeling, analytical, valuation skills and proficiency.
7. Ability to research and analyze data and make valid conclusions.
8. Ability to work well with minimal direct supervision.
9. Excellent work record of attendance and punctuality; occasional evening, weekend and non-regular work hours required.

GRADE 314, ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO MANAGER

1. Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in business administration, economics, statistics or finance is strongly preferred.
2. Six to ten years’ experience in private equity, private credit, co-investments, secondary funds, investment banking, investment research or investment consulting is strongly recommended.
3. Superior interpersonal skills combined with superior oral and written communication skills.
4. Successful completion of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is strongly preferred.
5. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail required.
6. Strong research, financial modeling, analytical, valuation skills and proficiency.
7. Ability to research and analyze data and make valid conclusions.
8. Ability to work well with minimal direct supervision.
9. Excellent work record of attendance and punctuality; occasional evening, weekend and non-regular work hours 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

• Exercises judgement in evaluation or originality in performing technical solution development.
• Work is performed using standard practices and methods, but where unusual or difficult problems exist, employee selects techniques and procedures to be applied. Technical decisions have impact on technical solution and successful contract execution.
• Strong communication skills (interpersonal and written).
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies, with ability and desire to stay abreast of current technologies.