Investment Manager
Date: Mar 10, 2023
Location: Washington, DC, US, 20036
Company: American Chemical Society
Division and Unit Overview
The Treasurer & CFO Division is responsible for treasury and financial operations, administrative and customer services and member insurance. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: management of the Society’s investment program; securing external financing for capital expansion and working capital requirements; risk management and the maintenance of the Society’s business insurance program; foreign exchange management; budgeting and fiscal control for ACS Washington Operations; management and operations of the ACS Washington facilities; centralized support services for all Washington staff; and directing the operations of a customer service unit responsible for consolidating service for Society programs, products and services. Governance groups supported by the division include the Board Standing Committees on Audits, Pensions and Investments, the Society Committee on Budget and Finance, and the Board of Trustees, Group Insurance Plans for ACS Members.
Position Summary
The position reports to the Chief Investment Officer. This position is responsible for managing portions of the Society’s more than $2 billion investment portfolio as assigned. The selected candidate will work closely with the Chief Investment Officer and the Investment Analyst in all aspects of portfolio management.
Will be a part of an exceptional small team that is responsible for overseeing the ACS long-term investment assets which include the ACS Investment Pool ($1.4 billion), the ACS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan ($600 million), and other miscellaneous investment assets.
Conduct due-diligence on investment managers across asset classes. This will include both ongoing due-diligence of existing investment managers and due-diligence on prospective investment managers. The successful candidate will be expected to be able to lead all stages of the investment management process as assigned from initial sourcing to analysis to recommendation to investment to ongoing monitoring to termination if necessary. Present investment recommendations and the results of special projects to the Chief Investment Officer and then to the ACS Pensions & Investments Committee.
The Treasurer & CFO division oversees the Society’s annual operating budget of $720 million and the management of $2.4 billion of investments. 2022 Approved Budget for the Investment Program is $19.3 million and for the Insurance Trust $9.8 million. There are approximately 100 full-time staff in the Treasurer & CFO Division, 4 of whom oversee investments.
Work design: Works under general managerial direction on goals and objectives that have a significant impact on the organization. Works with unit objectives and expert knowledge as guidance. Develops systemic solutions for complex problems. Uses analytical, interpretive, evaluative and/or constructive thinking to reach solutions.
Position Accountabilities
- Works closely with the Chief Investment Officer, the investment analyst, and the senior treasury analyst.
- Primary contact for assigned investment managers.
- Represents the American Chemical Society at annual meetings and industry events.
- Underwrites prospective investments across asset classes, leads due diligence from start to finish and manages all legal and negotiation with external investment managers and general partners as necessary.
- Manages ad hoc projects that aide in the management of the ACS investment portfolios, retirement plans, and debt financings.
- Update the quarterly materials for the Committee on Pensions and Investments where appropriate and work with the Investment Analyst in the preparation of other Committee materials.
- Assist in monitoring of defined contribution plans.
- Serve as a signatory and approver for certain Society Investment and bank accounts as assigned
- Support the year-end financial audit, including analysis and preparation of financial statement disclosures. Similarly, support the financial audit of the Society’s retirement plans and serve as backup when necessary.
- Monitor investments managers on an ongoing basis by participating in meetings, calls, conferences etc.
- Support ongoing monitoring and evaluation of other service providers (e.g., consultants, actuaries, auditors)
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with strong academic record (preferably in accounting, economics, finance or a related subject)
- 10 or more years related experience at an Endowment, Foundation, Pension, or investment management consultant that serves Endowment, Foundation or pension clients.
- Fluency across investment asset classes: More than a simple working knowledge of public equity, private equity, fixed income, private credit, real estate, real assets, and hedge funds.
- MBA or CFA Charterholder required
- MBA and CFA Charterholder preferred
- Additional professional investment management designations preferred (eg CAIA, FRM, CIPM)
- Exceptional analytical writing skills
- Strong independent thinking skills
- Able to work independently in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
- Strong working knowledge of accounting, finance, economics, and investment strategy
- Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and able to follow-through on responsibilities
- Willing and able to adopt new technologies and processes
This position will be primarily based in the Washington D.C. (or applicable) office. ACS employees work a hybrid work schedule, consisting of working onsite, three days per week. ACS employees are in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday with the third in-office day scheduled in consultation with the manager. While always welcome to work in the office, employees may work the other two days of the week from a location of their choice. New employees are immediately eligible for this hybrid work arrangement. ACS offers relocation assistance, if applicable.
EEO/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran
Nearest Major Market: Washington DC