What are the responsibilities and job description for the Investment Manager, Private Investments position at Rice University?
Why join Rice Management Company (RMC), the steward of the multi-billion dollar endowment for Rice University? What we do makes an enormous impact as the endowment supports over 40% of the University’s operating budget. Our experienced and entrepreneurial team of 35 investment and operations professionals has generated top decile returns over the past decade by building strong relationships with top venture and private equity funds, accessing promising co-investments, and making select primary investments. We have an opening for an eager young professional with a strong work ethic, a facility to think quantitatively and qualitatively, and a desire to contribute to a collegial culture. If you are looking to learn from a senior team, contribute to the investment decision-making process, explore creative opportunities, and build a world class network while making a difference to a top university, we encourage you to reach out for a conversation.
The Rice Management Company (RMC) is a team of 35 investment and operations professionals who provide fiduciary stewardship over Rice University’s $8 billion plus endowment portfolio. The goal of the RMC is to provide a stable source of funding for current university operations and to preserve and grow the purchasing power of the University’s billion dollar endowment to benefit future generations of students. The team at RMC is responsible for overseeing asset allocation, the selection and termination of investment managers, monitoring the performance of the portfolio, and reporting to the RMC Board.
The investment manager, private investments will be actively involved in all aspects of investment and manager research for the Rice Endowment. The role requires advanced investment analysis and reporting. The investment manager will also be responsible for leading and directing special projects on the investment team. They will report to the managing director, private investments.
Salary
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
Essential Functions
- Actively identifies, researches, and evaluates new investment opportunities for possible selection to the portfolio
- Monitors and reviews current managers / portfolio to ensure adherence to the stated investment strategy and process
- Performs reviews and due diligence of prospective managers (i.e. manager meetings and conference calls, reference checks, research trips, legal review, etc.)
- Manages systems to track current portfolio names and potential investment opportunities
- Prepares internal review materials, i.e.: investment committee memos, Board book materials
- Serves as a contributing member of the investment team in reviewing and evaluating investment ideas, trends and strategies across all asset classes
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions/Information
- Key member of investment team with focus on private investments screening, analysis, underwriting, and monitoring
- Acts as a first level of screening for manager inquiries and uses data to determine and communicate quality to Investment Directors & CIO
- Acts as a key member for the due diligence process
- Attends manager meetings and provides thoughtful, independent, value-add analysis
- Presents substantial research reports on investment themes, sectors, regions and other areas for investment research meeting, especially the private funds market
- Provides valuable feedback in meetings that demonstrates good judgment and data-driven analysis
- Leads special projects as assigned; and works collaboratively with others to co-lead projects and research
- Assists with monitoring and reporting on RMC’s direct investment portfolio
- Independently leads monitoring effort for asset classes or sub-classes and assists in the monitoring of existing managers of the public and private investments portfolios
- Assists with the development of and maintenance of asset class models and databases
- Assists investment director to develop high value internal reporting and analyzes asset class level performance for Investment Directors/CIO
- Provides security level or company level analysis of investments that demonstrates strong knowledge
- Helps team to source new fund and direct investment ideas
- Assists in the preparation of materials for quarterly board meetings and completes investment memos
- Mentors analysts, associates, and other colleagues
- Travels regularly, including internationally
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field
- 5 years of related experience at an endowment/foundation/family office, investment firm, investment bank, or consulting firm and/or experience in risk management or quantitative role
- Strong interpersonal skills and compatibility with a team-oriented environment
- Ability to manage high-level investment professionals and demonstrate leadership
- Ability to build and oversee investment manager relationships
- Strong quantitative skills with demonstrated ability to plan, initiate, and execute complex financial and analytical studies
- Ability to review legal investment documents and knowledge of common legal terms and fee structures
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, PowerPoint, and Word and familiarity with other investment management software tools
- A team orientation and strong interest in supporting the work of a university endowment
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA and/or CFA designation a plus
- Demonstrated familiarity with Endowment Model investing and asset allocation types
- Maintain network of peers to enhance knowledge
- Private equity and/or co-investment investing experience
- Experience representing an investor’s interests on a board of directors
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies
