Investment Associate
Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico
The Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico (PERA) is a multi-employer public pension plan serving 90,000+ members with an externally managed portfolio of approximately $17 billion, including PERA Smart Save, a supplemental deferred compensation 457b plan, with approximately 23,000 participants and $754 million in assets.
The mission of the Board of PERA is to preserve, protect, and administer the Trust to meet its current and future obligations and provide quality services to Association members. Help us fulfill this mission by safeguarding and growing the pension to ensure financial dignity for public workers across New Mexico.
Job Description:
In the capital markets’ ever-evolving landscape, PERA aims to strategically position the Fund to enhance liquidity, generate income, and achieve capital growth through careful capital and risk management. We are looking for an Investment Associate to join our team and help shape the future of public pensions.
Ideal applicants will demonstrate a robust intellectual curiosity and the capacity to engage in deep, innovative thinking when faced with complex problems. Candidates should excel in communicating their ideas clearly and persuasively, both in writing and verbally. A strong enthusiasm for quantitative and qualitative research and a keen interest in investment strategies and asset management analysis are essential.
At PERA, we highly value our culture, emphasizing collaboration and teamwork. However, we also recognize the importance of individual initiative and the ability to navigate and adapt within a rapid and dynamic work environment. The team is mission-focused, understanding its fiduciary duty and the importance of prudently investing assets to meet its statutory obligations to its members. If you’re passionate about contributing to a team while also forging your path in the fast-paced world of public pension plan investing, we would like to hear from you.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
1. Self-starter with the initiative and drive to learn while doing.
2. Time management and organizational skills to promote organizational efficiency through high professional standards.
3. Ability to assist in monitoring, analysis, and research for a complex portfolio of external liquid and illiquid investment strategies in the Global Equity portfolio and other portfolios as required.
4. Ability to assist in due diligence of new and existing investment managers and strategies in the Global Equity portfolio and other portfolios as required.
5. Ability to assist in implementation and execution of portfolio, strategy, and investment-specific recommendations in the Global Equity portfolio and other portfolios as required.
6. Ability to assist in preparing investment recommendations based on strategic asset allocation decisions.
7. Ability to cross-collaborate with the operations team, custody bank, and various consultants to assist in validating monthly and quarterly performance and risk reporting.
8. Ability to review prospective deals for co-investment, either directly or through a commingled structure in the Global Equity portfolio and other portfolios as required.
9. Ability to act as lead project manager on research and operational projects on an ad-hoc basis.
10. Strong communication skills that allow for frequent correspondence with investment managers, external service providers, and industry experts to formulate market opinions, identify investment opportunities, and gauge investment trends.
11. Team-player skills that allow for contribution to ongoing process improvements.
12. Networking skills that will allow for the establishment of professional relationships with institutional investor peers and with tenured industry professionals at professional seminars and conferences.
13. Ability to present informational and educational items to the Investment Committee and Board.
Minimum Qualifications:
• A Bachelor’s Degree and at least two (2) years of directly related professional experience is required; Applicable education includes investment management, business administration, accounting, financial management, economics, mathematics, statistics, or related field. An understanding of financial theory and statistical measures
• Prior experience conducting investment manager research, sourcing, and due diligence in an institutional investment setting (pension fund, endowment, asset management, etc.) is preferred
• MBA or related master’s degree is preferred
• Progress toward Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), or related designations is preferred.
Miscellaneous:
• The position is based in Santa Fe, NM
• Remote work is allowed 2-3 days per week; candidate must live in the State of New Mexico, per Governor mandated order.
• Periodic travel
• This is an exempt, at-will position.
• Salary range is $ 110,000 - 135,000.
To Apply:
We invite you to bring your expertise to PERA, where your work directly contributes to the financial security of thousands. Apply today to be part of our forward-thinking team. Please send a current resume and cover letter to LeAnne Larrañaga-Ruffy, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at the Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico. Only candidates chosen to participate in interviews will be contacted. Active recruiting began May 1, 2024, and will remain open until filled.
Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico is committed to the principles of equal employment and workforce diversity.