Associate / Senior Associate - Executive Advisory & Research Division

Position: Associate / Senior Associate

Location: New York, New York (On-site 5 Days/week)

Reports to: Senior Managing Director (Executive Advisory & Research Division)

About Wafra:

Wafra Inc. (“Wafra”) is a leading global investment firm currently managing approximately $28 billion in assets and commitments across a variety of asset strategies. Behind our investment strategies are talented professionals, principally in New York, who bring expertise and experience to deliver strategic, reward-focused solutions. Wafra seeks to provide long-term investment return solutions that span not just years, but generations.

Department / Position Summary:

The Executive Advisory & Research (“EAR”) team is a unit within Wafra that is responsible for providing strategic insights and solutions for Wafra’s clients, leadership, and investment teams through its provision of consulting, research, and bespoke portfolio solution services. EAR is seeking an Associate/Senior Associate for immediate hire for a role spanning EAR’s three primary verticals: consulting, portfolio solutions, and research. The successful candidate will work alongside and report directly to the Head of EAR and will work closely with other EAR team members to deliver successful outcomes for EAR’s client base.

Consulting

We think and act like asset owners to develop bold, actionable insights. We partner with sovereign wealth and pension funds, including our parent institution, to address the unique needs of large institutional investors. Together, we craft solutions that optimize investment programs and support everything from program design to capabilities building. Acting first and foremost as thought partners to our clients, we create value by applying practitioner insight and analytical rigor to formulate and deliver solutions that have tangible impact on our clients’ portfolios. Using core capabilities ― strategy, analytics, and communication ― we empower our clients to succeed in the present and build for the future.

In addition to consulting for clients, we play a critical role in helping Wafra’s senior leadership define and drive strategic, operational, and organizational improvements across Wafra. We support firm strategy and development, conduct market research, and surface market insights to promote Wafra’s long-term growth and to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. In collaboration with our partners across the firm, we develop capabilities that strategically differentiate Wafra and deliver outsized results for the firm’s clients. We are at the forefront of Wafra’s fast-moving strategic priorities, addressing operational challenges and enabling innovation.

Portfolio Solutions

EAR works closely with our clients to tailor a range of products designed to address challenges clients face as they seek to optimize their investment portfolios and improve management efficiency. As the wholly-owned subsidiary of a large sovereign pension, it’s in Wafra’s DNA to think like an asset owner. Through EAR’s consulting work with large asset owners, we identify pain points and develop bespoke solutions. We seek to provide a service offering to our clients that demonstrates the value and depth of partnership with Wafra beyond our compelling investment product offering. Our bespoke, cross-asset solutions include a multi-billion dollar Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) offering, residual closed end fund wind down vehicles, and structured hedge fund-of-fund solutions.

Research

We play a critical role in helping Wafra’s senior leadership, investment teams, and clients make informed decisions on complex issues through insightful, actionable research. We drive firm strategy and development with relevant data and thoughtful analysis for key decision makers. We also support Wafra’s investment teams by conducting in-depth analysis of potential investment opportunities and macroeconomic data. Our findings are typically expressed via white papers and research memos, primarily for internal stakeholders, as well as Wafra’s clients. Our research insights put us at the forefront of Wafra’s fast-moving strategic priorities, enabling innovation and empowering growth.

As a valued member of EAR, it is essential to be a collaborative, team player who will take hands-on responsibility and work closely with the head of EAR and the wider team. As a generalist contributing to successful outcomes across EAR’s three main verticals, a successful candidate must be intellectually curious, self-motivated, flexible, able to manage multiple workstreams, and must be able to think deeply, yet move swiftly.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide recommendations to Wafra’s senior management on a range of strategic and operational topics
• Prepare market and industry research reports covering multiple asset classes to support strategic decision-making that improves fund and firm performance
• Support client investment programs across asset classes and mandates, including residual funds, outsources CIO services, and portfolio completion
• Support client investment and operational initiatives across a range of alternative and traditional asset classes
• Help clients improve operational management of their investment portfolios by developing tools, designing processes, and communicating industry best practices
• Author white papers on current topics suitable for sovereign and pension CIOs that support our ongoing business development activity
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 2-5 years of experience with a pension, strategy, or management consultant, asset manager or investment bank
• Knowledgeable of aspects of alternatives investing strategies
• Knowledgeable with financial statement analysis and modeling
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required; programming proficiency in Python or Visual Basic within a finance or investing context is highly desired
• Excellent organizational, presentation and communication skills
• Strong problem assessment and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Benefits/Compensation:

The anticipated base salary for this role is $120,000-$140,000. The compensation range for this role is specific to New York City and actual base salary will be determined by several components including but not limited to an individual’s experience, skill set and qualifications. Wafra is committed to the wellbeing of all employees and the hired candidate will be offered our comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to retirement benefits, health insurance, life insurance, paid holidays and time off and various wellness benefits.