Junior Research Associate, Client Data Team

Junior Research Associate, Client Data Team

Junior Research Associate, Client Data Team


Location: Arlington, VA - Fairfax Drive


Requisition Number: 36012001




Description

Position: Junior Research Associate, Client Data Team
Department: Manager Information Group
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Manager, Client Data Team, Manager Information Group
Office: Arlington, VA

We are currently seeking self-driven candidates with a keen interest in the institutional investment industry who exhibit a strong and passionate focus on operational efficiency, customer service, independent problem solving and complete ownership of their work. The ability to thrive in a fast paced, high-demand work environment while delivering the highest quality work will be of paramount importance. Candidates must be able to quickly adapt to established operations and procedures while being flexible and open to numerous organizational / process changes as select responsibilities are being consolidated between two internal departments. This transition is part of an evolutionary process to further support the firm’s industry leading portfolio monitoring and evaluation services, thus securing continued dominance in this space.

Cambridge Associates has deep resources in its portfolio monitoring services and transitioning support elements of this work to the Manager Information Group (“MIG”) serves to further strengthen the firm’s ability to deliver superior value to its sophisticated, institutional client base. Existing efforts, processes, and applications centered on capturing investment manager data will be transitioned and retooled within the MIG to increase efficiency, timeliness of data, and quality.

Overview:The primary objective of the MIG is to institutionalize and centralize investment manager data collection functions for CA staff across all offices, departments, and asset class spaces. Through the organization, maintenance, and ownership of various internal proprietary applications the department supports CA’s global investment consulting practice through all stages of the investment process, fully servicing data needs for research, consulting,performance reporting, administration, and internal support. The department also supports ad hoc data needs and sets high standards for efficiency and productivity while continuously developing potential future capabilities.

Client Data Team: The Client Data Team is a core functional team within the MIG specifically focused on capturing investment manager information required for client investment portfolio performance reports. As these reports are critical for the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of client investment portfolios, efforts are centered on ensuring data is captured and quality checked with immense speed and accuracy. Through the use of disciplined operations, superior customer service, strict data integrity standards, and technology the team intends to support and drive the firm’s mission for “real time” portfolio information delivery. The team will need to view their work as essential to Cambridge’s ongoing efforts to provide best-in-class portfolio monitoring and evaluation services, thus directly contributing to the overall strength of the firm. In all efforts and responsibilities, the team will be relentless in its commitment to setting industry standards for efficiency, customer service, and data integrity. This is a unique, “ground-floor” opportunity for the right candidates who are seeking a challenging experience while also gaining exposure to project management, process improvement, financial investment concepts, and organizational development. Candidates must be effective communicators, proactive, accountable, analytical and committed to producing high quality work in a timely and efficient manner.

Junior Associates will focus on client level account information for hedge fund or traditional, long-only (e.g. equity, fixed income) investment products and assume theseprimary responsibilities:

* Assume ownership and accountability for a number of core responsibilities for an assigned personal coverage list of institutional investment managers.
* Proactively request, collect, track, extract and enter (via our proprietary systems) investment data for all invested clients within assigned manager coverage list.
* Communicate and interact with investment managers, as necessary, to complete analysis and data entry on a routine basis.
* Responsible for building new relationships and maintaining existing relationships with investment managers.
* Support core functional tasks and ongoing quality assurance through superior customer service with key stakeholders.
* Hold self / peers accountable to minimum quality standards by assuming responsibility for various aspects of quality assurance and quality control processes. This includes rigorous review of both personal and peer work, maintaining highly detailed status lists and an aggressive policy for accuracy standards.
* Work with the Manager Information Group to increase the overall efficiency and quality of the data collection / data entry process. This includes, but not limited to, redesigning work flow and processes, enhancing group best practices, strengthened team organizational structure, and developing ways to incorporate technology and quality checking steps into the process.
* Maintain detailed status lists and updated notes / information for each firm.
* Respond to questions and ad hoc requests from members of staff at all levels. Effectively communicate with employees at all levels.
* Develop an understanding of multiple firm departments and facilitate communication between staff, external investment managers, and other relevant parties.
* Other duties as assigned, earned and as the group evolves. Opportunities for advancement via merit available.

Qualifications:
* BA/BS (all majors welcome) required. Familiarity with financial terminology is preferred.
* 1+ years of related experience (including back/middle office) with demonstrated interest in investments and the financial industry is strongly preferred, but not required.
* Highly motivated, self-starting, and entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a true ability to work with others in a team setting. Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
* Ability to interpret and analyze externally provided materials / data to fit internally set guidelines and standards.
* Ability to work under intense time pressures, including balancing efforts between multiple deadlines while ensuring accuracy and timeliness of information. Extremely reliable and trustworthy.
* Ability to efficiently handle large amounts of clerical responsibilities over an extended period of time while making a positive impact.
* Strong proactive, customer-service oriented approach. Must be action oriented and able to handle unpredictability from day-to-day.
* Strong ability to prioritize workload according to varying levels of “urgency”.
* Intellectual curiosity with an ability to recognize inefficiencies while simultaneously seeking out plausible solutions.
* Exceptional written and oral communication skills; strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
* Strong computer skills with knowledge of MS Outlook, Word and Excel and proficiency in Microsoft Office suite. Ability to learn new, proprietary applications quickly.
* Experience in customer service environment. Professional office, telephone and email manner required.
* All candidates must be eligible to work in the US without sponsorship.