Position Overview
The Associate Director of Investment Research will play a critical role in portfolio management, investment strategy development, and client servicing. This position is ideal for a financial professional with a background in asset management or investment advisory, looking to advance their career in research and portfolio strategy without the pressure of business development or asset gathering. The ideal candidate will serve as the right-hand person to the Head of Investment Research, assisting in client meetings, investment portfolio management, and operational servicing.
Key Responsibilities
Portfolio Management & Investment Strategy
- Oversee portfolio management, rebalancing, trade execution, and investment planning
- Research market conditions, economic trends, and expected returns to support investment strategy recommendations
- Strong knowledge and application of non-traditional asset classes to support diversified investment approaches
- Make recommendations for asset class allocations, market capitalization weighting, and risk-adjusted portfolio construction
Client Servicing & Trade Execution
- Assist with trade execution, operational servicing, and portfolio structuring
- Collaborate with advisors to analyze client financial situations and develop comprehensive investment plans
- Serve as a backup for new client onboarding and servicing during periods of high client service volume
- Ensure data integrity and performance return accuracy for clients and partners
Client Communication & Investment Education
- Act as the third chair in client meetings, explaining investment selections, market trends, and portfolio structures
- Educate clients on investment decisions and financial planning strategies in a clear and engaging manner
- Participate in mutual fund/wholesaler meetings, due diligence discussions, and product presentations
- Leverage strong client presentation and analytical skills to communicate portfolio strategies effectively
Additional Responsibilities
- Contribute to the development of new investment products and strategies, ensuring alignment with client needs and market conditions
- Conduct competitive market research and incorporate client feedback into investment strategies
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies
Ideal Candidate Characteristics
- Collaborative and detail-oriented with strong follow-through
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to educate clients on complex investment topics
- High adaptability and openness to learning new investment systems and tools
- Analytical mindset with the ability to assess market trends and risk management strategies
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics or related field
- Minimum requirement of series 6 designation, with expectation of achieving series 7 within first year of employment
- 5+ years of direct experience in asset management, preferably working in investment-related functions
- Strong knowledge of traditional and non-traditional asset classes
- Excellent client presentation and analytical skills
- Strong understanding of investment strategies, financial planning, and trade execution
- Excellent written, oral, and digital communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Series 7, 63, 65, CFA and/or CFP licenses/designations highly preferred
- Experience as a financial advisor early in career, with a passion for research and investment management
- Experience with Pershing platform, Envestnet (EV2) and/or NetX360 technology a plus
- Experience in financial services product management or investment strategy development
Position is full time in Bettendorf, Iowa.