Director, Alternative Credit

Overview

The Director, Alternative Credit is responsible for building, implementing, and managing alternative credit investments to support Western & Southern profitability and product competitiveness in a risk efficient manner. Primary responsibilities include developing the investment pipeline, underwriting and recommending new investments, managing the existing portfolio, fulfilling reporting needs, and performing special projects to evolve Western & Southern's capabilities in this area.

Responsibilities

What you will do:

• Manage a diversified suite of investment portfolios including middle market direct lending, infrastructure lending, private asset backed finance, and other allocations outside of the syndicated credit markets.
• Develop an understanding of various alternative credit markets and broader capital markets in order to assess risk adjusted returns and relative value across competing investment opportunities.
• Shape enterprise investment strategy by leading cross-functional strategic initiatives that expand the firm’s investment toolkit, driving research, due diligence, and recommendations that inform CIO, CEO, and board-level decision-making.
• Determines and implements overall portfolio strategy for assigned portfolios, including top down positioning (risk allocation, sector/country weights), sector allocation, security selection, and performance relative to benchmarks.
• Works closely with co-CIO, Sr. PM, and analyst team to review and report on overall portfolio risk levels, sector/country exposures, and issuer-level exposures.
• Deliver measurable enterprise impact by executing investment strategies that materially improve liability crediting rates and strengthen the company’s long-term competitive positioning.
• Influence enterprise direction by preparing and presenting high-impact materials to senior leadership and board-level committees, shaping strategic conversations on pricing, profitability, and capital allocation.
• Generate specific recommendations across managed vehicles of various types (funds, SMAs, JVs) as well as co-investments, direct investments, and strategic partnership opportunities.
• Source, underwrite, and present investments to senior management in Private Investments Committee and Finance Committee.
• Generate returns that exceed stated portfolio goals and objectives.
• Stays current on trends in the insurance industry to maintain awareness of competitors, expansion opportunities, customers, markets, and new industry developments and standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree - Required
• Master's Degree - Preferred
• 4 - 6 years investment related and/or financial analysis experience with significant investment acumen. - Required
• Proven experience with innovative and strategic problem identification and resolution. - Required
• Proven experience coordinating multiple projects/assignments simultaneously and completing assigned tasks accurately and on a timely basis. - Required
• Demonstrated strong team orientation and experience working effectively within a team. - Required
• Proven strong proclivity for continuous learning and desire to increase breadth and depth of experience. - Required
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to convey information to internal and external customers in a clear, focused and concise manner. - Required
• Proven superb presentation skills with experience conveying information in a clear, focused and concise manner. Proven ability to answer questions and garner credibility. Demonstrated use of strong listening and communication techniques and presentation software. - Required
• Demonstrated superior selling skills with proven experience effectively influencing individuals and group to a recommended course of action. - Required
• Proven strong analytical skills and comfort with complex data, including demonstrated experience identifying and quantifying problems and providing effective resolutions. - Required
• Ability to understand financial statements, loan agreements and other investment related documentation. Basic knowledge of financial markets; previous leveraged finance experience is a plus. Ability to make judgments based on market knowledge. Experience with financial modeling and analysis. - Required
• Proficient in word processing and spreadsheet applications. - Required
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Upon Hire - Preferred

Work Setting/Position Demands:

• Works in an office setting and remains in a stationary position for long periods of time while working at a desk, on a computer or with other standard office equipment, or while in meetings.
• Requires the ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information to customers and associates on a regular basis.
• Requires visual acuity to read and interpret a variety of correspondence, procedures, reports and forms via paper and electronic documents, visual inspection involving small defects; small parts, and/or operation of machinery (including inspection); using measurement devices continuously. Visual acuity is required to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
• Requires the ability to prepare written correspondence, reports and forms using prescribed formats and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style on a regular basis.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Performs substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers for continuous computer work.
• Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects/events.

Travel Requirements:

• None