Research Analyst, Product Development

Research Analyst, Product Development

Company Overview:

Cerulli Associates (CA) is a research and consulting firm, headquartered in Boston, specializing in product and distribution analysis for the global asset management industry. Since 1992, we have blended primary research and data analysis to bring perspective to current market conditions and forecasts for future developments. With a suite of research publications, an interactive data platform, and custom research and consulting offerings, we provide financial services firms with unparalleled guidance in strategic positioning and new business development.

Cerulli Associates is a 2023 and 2024 Boston Globe Top Places to Work. We are proud to be recognized for our outstanding employee engagement, management, work-life balance, and benefits.

Our clients include virtually all the top 50 global asset management firms, as well as industry service providers, management consulting companies, banks, broker/dealers, insurance companies, investment consulting firms, and private equity firms.

Position Overview:

This research analyst position works within the Product Development practice and reports to the Director, Product Development, who is responsible for private markets research. It is a hybrid role in the Boston Office, with an expectation of approximately 2-3 days in the office each week.

This role covers asset manager product development and key trends associated with private markets investments, such as private credit, private equity, and private infrastructure. The role has coverage for the forefront of the industry initiative to package and distribute private markets solutions to retail investors via product structures, including but not limited to interval and tender offer funds, as well as drawdown limited partnerships. This role will also support coverage of ETFs and asset allocation models.

The role has extensive research analysis, data modeling, and writing responsibilities, including publishing reports, white papers, and supporting private markets consulting engagements. The position offers significant industry exposure, including interactions with senior executives throughout the industry and presenting at conferences and events.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Significant contributions to Cerulli’s research on the uptake of private markets solutions by financial advisors, the structures they use, and other key private markets themes
• Contribute to annual reports and quarterly publications supporting private markets
• Drive new coverage and initiatives of private markets topics (e.g., private markets technology, benchmarking, inclusion in asset allocation models, tokenization)
• Build quantitative surveys and models, including survey design, data gathering, data modeling and analysis, and exhibit creation
• Identify and develop new original data sources to provide Cerulli clients with unique insights into private markets adoption by advisors and via other channels
• Contribute to custom research and strategy consulting projects related to asset manager product development and management
• Work with the sales team to represent Cerulli’s product development research and consulting capabilities to clients and prospects
• Execute on report responsibilities and meet deadlines
• Interview senior executives about emerging private markets industry trends. Foster industry connections to aid research
• Manage partnerships with industry trade associations and publications
• Create insightful presentations that highlight key industry trends in an easy to understand format
• Present findings to senior external stakeholder audiences, including on client site and at industry events

Qualifications:

• At least 5 to 8 years of experience in the asset management industry, with direct responsibility for strategy, product development, or product management
• Knowledge of private market asset classes, limited partnerships, interval and tender offer funds, mutual funds, and ETF products required
• Knowledge of separately managed accounts and CITs is a plus
• Must be hardworking, persistent, and enthusiastic, and have a passion for private markets, the financial services industry, and research and analysis
• Knowledge of retail asset management products and vehicles
• Exposure to financial advisors, retirement plans, and/or institutions and their investment decision-making process
• Superior writing and communication skills. Exceptionally strong presentation skills with enthusiasm to deliver research findings.
• Aptitude for synthesizing research, identifying trends, and providing commentary on relevant industry issues; high degree of intellectual curiosity
• Strong attention to detail and emphasis on accuracy
• Ability to work on simultaneous projects while adhering to deadlines
• Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint; able to manipulate and analyze sizable amounts of data
• Ability to cultivate a network of senior industry contacts for research purposes
• Bachelor’s degree minimum. CFA, CAIA designations or efforts toward these and similar certifications preferred

Compensation:

Compensation range – $80,000 – $95,000 base