Portfolio Associate

ABOUT SYCAMORE CAPITAL

Sycamore Capital, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a seasoned team of investment professionals with a long history of mid- and small-cap value investing. The investment team, led by Chief Investment Officer Gary Miller, operates in a highly collaborative, client-centric culture, focused on delivering above average risk-adjusted returns. The team employs a bottom-up, fundamental approach to investing that seeks to identify better businesses that trade at a discount to their intrinsic value and possess fundamental drivers that could narrow the valuation gap over time. Companies that exhibit all three of these attributes generally possess the most compelling risk/reward profile.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

This role is office-based in Bozeman, MT. As a member of the Sycamore Capital investment team, the Portfolio Associate (PA) will work closely with the Senior Portfolio Specialist (SPS), the Associate Portfolio Specialist (APS) and other members of the investment team, including the CIO. The primary objective of this role is to serve as a resource for the SPS and other senior members of the team in preparation for meetings and communications with prospects, clients, consultants, and various internal groups. The PA will be dedicated to the Sycamore Capital investment team and is expected to develop a deep knowledge of the strategies managed by the team. The PA is expected to meet milestones for career progression in this role.

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for building and maintaining a strong knowledge of the investment team’s philosophy, process and investment approach.
• Play an integral role in quarter-end reporting. This may include contributing to the quarterly and annual commentaries created by the team. This also includes fact- checking and proofing materials used for client quarterly reviews and marketing to ensure accuracy.
• Actively manage timeline for client reporting around quarter-end to ensure that deadlines are met. This involves frequent interaction with various internal groups who play a role in quarter end reporting.
• Take ownership of updating databases that the team maintains. Play a key role in enhancing those databases over time.
• Serve as a conduit between the investment team and external as well as internal parties. This may involve interaction with clients, consultants and prospects. Internally, the PA is expected to build and cultivate relationships with the client service and sales teams across various distribution channels. Additionally, the PA is expected to build productive working relationships with the marketing, RFP, compliance and portfolio administration teams.
• Support the gathering and retention of assets by working closely with the SPS, sales and client services teams.
• Work closely with the RFP team to review and edit RFIs, RFPs and DDQs.
• Under the guidance of the SPS and APS, serve as a subject-matter expert for strategies managed. Over time, the PA is expected to provide investment strategy and performance context to internal groups including the RFP, sales and client services teams. Once the PA gains sufficient knowledge of the strategies and demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate performance information, the PA will develop a plan with the SPS to take on more direct client interaction.
• Assist the SPS and CIO in preparation for travel. This involves working with various internal groups to ensure that presentation material is accurate and ready for use with clients and/or prospects.
• Over time, the PA is expected to sit in on investment meetings and take thorough notes to be shared with the SPS and other members of the of the team.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the portfolio holdings over time. This is done through ongoing interactions with the SPS and other senior members of the team, as well as reading internal research notes published by the team.
• Develop a solid understanding of the asset classes that the investment team specializes in.
• Perform competitive analysis using various databases.
• Identify potential issues and escalate those to the SPS and CIO when necessary.
• Stay abreast of industry trends not only impacting the asset classes involved, but other ones as well, and communicate those on bi-annual basis to the team.
• Accumulating knowledge of economic and capital market topics over time will be critical to success in this role.
• Execute special projects as needed for the CIO/SPS/APS.
• Building relationships with other team members is essential.
• Ensure all work is in compliance with applicable policies and regulations.

REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Effective relationship management and communication skills.
• Possesses a combination of qualitative and quantitative skills (excellent presentation, written and verbal communication as well analytical skills).
• Comfortable with articulating complex topics in a concise and succinct manner.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate with research, operations, sales, marketing and client service teams.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, but to also work independently.
• Consistently think of ways to add value.
• Ability to produce accurate work in a timely manner/under pressure.
• Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills is a priority.
• Proven drive to consistently follow-through without being asked is an integral quality that will enable the individual to succeed in this role.
• Candidate must be able to receive consistent feedback and be open to mentoring.
• Ability and willingness to travel—sometimes on short notice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 4-5 years of experience in the investment management industry, preferably with a buy-side equity manager.
• Passion for economics and capital markets.
• Prior exposure to FactSet, Morningstar Direct and Bloomberg.
• Comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Office is a necessity.
• Pursuit of MBA and/or CFA desired.

REQUIREMENTS:

• In-office attendance (Bozeman, MT)
• Frequent travel
• Must be a team player
• Acknowledgment that meeting certain milestones are critical to advancement

Our Benefits:

We offer excellent Medical, Dental, Vision plans, Flexible PTO, Family Medical and Disability Leaves, Education Tuition Reimbursement and a 401k plan with a generous employer match.

Target Compensation:

The target base salary range for this position is $75,000 - $100,000. Incentive compensation makes up a significant portion of the total compensation for this position.

Salaries are determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data/ranges, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees, and certifications.

Sycamore Capital operates a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and total compensation may vary based on role, location, department and individual performance.

Our total compensation package includes the opportunity for annual compensation bonuses and/or commissions and a generous benefits package.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, height, weight, hair texture or a hairstyle historically associated with race to include braids, locks, or twists; or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.