What are the responsibilities and job description for the Private Equity Investment Analyst position at State of Wisconsin Investment Board?
Making a Difference
The State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB), founded in 1951, is a premier global investment organization responsible for managing the more than $156 billion of assets of the fully funded Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), the State Investment Fund and other state funds. Through SWIB’s effective and innovative investment management, WRS remains one of the only fully funded US public pensions. We are the 9th largest public pension fund in the U.S. and the 25th largest public or private pension fund in the world. SWIB is recognized by the investment industry for our teamwork and innovation. SWIB pursues sophisticated global investment strategies across the asset and risk allocation spectrum. Providers across the investment ecosystem seek to partner with SWIB.
Serving more than 691,000 beneficiaries of the WRS, SWIB is a mission-driven organization focused on providing a strong financial future to those who committed their careers to public service. For public employees and the 1,500 Wisconsin employers who contribute on their behalf, we are a trusted partner. Our team innovates continuously to meet the challenges of an evolving investment landscape while growing and protecting the assets of the WRS.
SWIB provides a strong, steady economic pillar for the state of Wisconsin by growing the trust funds under its management, managing risk, and optimizing costs of the long term. We are a mission-driven organization and the participants we serve are our mission. By bringing a disciplined, prudent, and innovative approach to market opportunities, SWIB has been successful in generating required returns and maintaining the trust of the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the funds we oversee.
Home To Top Talent
Our high-performing staff is key to what makes us a premier investment manager. SWIB is committed to investing in talented professionals to implement our robust, sophisticated investment strategies and to keep the organization at the forefront of the investment industry. We encourage innovation and offer professional development opportunities to help staff sharpen and expand their skills. Approximately 61 percent of SWIB’s investment professionals are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholders.
Job Description
About the Team
SWIB is seeking an Investment Analyst to join its Private Markets & Funds Alpha Division. The Investment Analyst will collaborate with the Head of Private Equity, Portfolio Managers and Investment Analysts to source, review and evaluate prospective investments for the Private Equity and Current Return (i.e. private debt) Portfolios.
The Private Equity Portfolio, with a market value of $17 billion, focuses on global buyout, growth equity and co-investments. SWIB invests across the private equity spectrum with a current focus on U.S. and Western European small and middle-market buyout funds and growth equity funds. The Current Return Portfolio, with a market value of $4 billion, focuses on senior and mezzanine loan funds (performing credit), distressed debt funds (non-performing credit), secondary funds, other yield-driven strategies and co-investments. Co-Investments are positions in underlying portfolio companies’ equity and/or debt, alongside the Private Equity Portfolio and the Current Return Portfolio General Partners.
Essential Activities
Pursuant to our Hybrid Remote Work Policy, all staff have the flexibility to work remotely, but are required to have a weekly presence in our offices, the frequency of which is dependent on their distance from office. Staff are not required to reside locally; however, we offer relocation reimbursement to the Dane County area per our policy.
All SWIB employees are subject to SWIB’s Ethics Policy and Personal Trade Approvals Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have limits on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from SWIB’s talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by SWIB’s compliance team.
The State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB), founded in 1951, is a premier global investment organization responsible for managing the more than $156 billion of assets of the fully funded Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), the State Investment Fund and other state funds. Through SWIB’s effective and innovative investment management, WRS remains one of the only fully funded US public pensions. We are the 9th largest public pension fund in the U.S. and the 25th largest public or private pension fund in the world. SWIB is recognized by the investment industry for our teamwork and innovation. SWIB pursues sophisticated global investment strategies across the asset and risk allocation spectrum. Providers across the investment ecosystem seek to partner with SWIB.
Serving more than 691,000 beneficiaries of the WRS, SWIB is a mission-driven organization focused on providing a strong financial future to those who committed their careers to public service. For public employees and the 1,500 Wisconsin employers who contribute on their behalf, we are a trusted partner. Our team innovates continuously to meet the challenges of an evolving investment landscape while growing and protecting the assets of the WRS.
SWIB provides a strong, steady economic pillar for the state of Wisconsin by growing the trust funds under its management, managing risk, and optimizing costs of the long term. We are a mission-driven organization and the participants we serve are our mission. By bringing a disciplined, prudent, and innovative approach to market opportunities, SWIB has been successful in generating required returns and maintaining the trust of the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the funds we oversee.
Home To Top Talent
Our high-performing staff is key to what makes us a premier investment manager. SWIB is committed to investing in talented professionals to implement our robust, sophisticated investment strategies and to keep the organization at the forefront of the investment industry. We encourage innovation and offer professional development opportunities to help staff sharpen and expand their skills. Approximately 61 percent of SWIB’s investment professionals are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholders.
Job Description
About the Team
SWIB is seeking an Investment Analyst to join its Private Markets & Funds Alpha Division. The Investment Analyst will collaborate with the Head of Private Equity, Portfolio Managers and Investment Analysts to source, review and evaluate prospective investments for the Private Equity and Current Return (i.e. private debt) Portfolios.
The Private Equity Portfolio, with a market value of $17 billion, focuses on global buyout, growth equity and co-investments. SWIB invests across the private equity spectrum with a current focus on U.S. and Western European small and middle-market buyout funds and growth equity funds. The Current Return Portfolio, with a market value of $4 billion, focuses on senior and mezzanine loan funds (performing credit), distressed debt funds (non-performing credit), secondary funds, other yield-driven strategies and co-investments. Co-Investments are positions in underlying portfolio companies’ equity and/or debt, alongside the Private Equity Portfolio and the Current Return Portfolio General Partners.
Essential Activities
- Assist in coordinating the timely review of new fund and co-investment opportunities
- Participate in discussions with the team regarding new potential funds and co-investments
- Assist with due diligence on new investment opportunities through research, financial modeling, participation in meetings, and travel when needed
- Coordinate with operations and legal teams on the closing of new investments
- Assist in executing the private equity strategy; help create and implement new processes to better effect communication and execute strategy
- Manage the private markets database (eFront) and track the inflow of investment opportunities
- Maintain portfolio performance and quarterly returns with an overlay of benchmark statistics
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 1 - 4 years of investment experience (private equity preferred)
- CAIA or CFA designation a plus
- Advanced financial modeling skills
- A willingness to travel
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- An ability to be adaptive and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment
- Superb work ethic, attention to detail, team orientation, and commitment to excellence
- Competitive total cash compensation, based on AON (formerly McLagan) industry benchmarks
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Educational and training opportunities
- Tuition reimbursement
- Challenging work in a professional environment
- Hybrid work environment
Pursuant to our Hybrid Remote Work Policy, all staff have the flexibility to work remotely, but are required to have a weekly presence in our offices, the frequency of which is dependent on their distance from office. Staff are not required to reside locally; however, we offer relocation reimbursement to the Dane County area per our policy.
All SWIB employees are subject to SWIB’s Ethics Policy and Personal Trade Approvals Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have limits on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from SWIB’s talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by SWIB’s compliance team.