State of Wisconsin Investment Board
Quantitative Analyst
State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Madison, Wisconsin, us, 53774
Our Agency
Making a DifferenceThe State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB), founded in 1951, is a premier global investment organization responsible for managing the more than $156 billion of assets of the fully funded Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), the State Investment Fund and other state funds. Through SWIB's effective and innovative investment management, WRS remains one of the only fully funded US public pensions. We are the 9th largest public pension fund in the U.S. and the 25th largest public or private pension fund in the world. SWIB is recognized by the investment industry for our teamwork and innovation. SWIB pursues sophisticated global investment strategies across the asset and risk allocation spectrum. Providers across the investment ecosystem seek to partner with SWIB.
Serving more than 677,000 beneficiaries of the WRS, SWIB is a mission-driven organization focused on providing a strong financial future to those who committed their careers to public service. For public employees and the 1,500 Wisconsin employers who contribute on their behalf, we are a trusted partner. Our team innovates continuously to meet the challenges of an evolving investment landscape while growing and protecting the assets of the WRS.
SWIB provides a strong, steady economic pillar for the state of Wisconsin by growing the trust funds under its management, managing risk, and optimizing costs of the long term. We are a mission-driven organization and the participants we serve are our mission. By bringing a disciplined, prudent, and innovative approach to market opportunities, SWIB has been successful in generating required returns and maintaining the trust of the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the funds we oversee.
Home To Top Talent
Our high-performing staff is key to what makes us a premier investment manager. SWIB is committed to investing in talented professionals to implement our robust, sophisticated investment strategies and to keep the organization at the forefront of the investment industry. We encourage innovation and offer professional development opportunities to help staff sharpen and expand their skills. Approximately 61 percent of SWIB's investment professionals are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholders.
About the TeamThe Asset & Risk Allocation (ARA) division is responsible for the overall investment structure of the Core and Variable Trust Funds. ARA recommends and implements the asset allocation for the policy portfolio, and recommends and implements the active risk budget. ARA also drives and supports the exposure management process for making investments at the "top of the house," including macro-driven asset class, market and currency positioning and the up-scaling of select bottom-up investment opportunities.
The ARA division is currently composed of 26 team members with an average of 15 years' relevant experience. This role offers a unique opportunity to learn and contribute to all facets of the asset allocation investment process, with a focus on quantitative evaluation of investment risks, opportunities and factor premium analysis.
Position Overview
Essential activities:
Responsible for conducting rigorous quantitative analysis across a broad spectrum of asset classes, using advanced statistical techniques and investment insights to bolster existing and new investment strategies.Statistical modelling with emphasis on time-series analysis.Identify and manage new datasets that support investment decisions and risk management processes.Create and use algorithms to investigate data sets and check them for consistency.Support senior team members by helping to code new models, test these models, validate them, document them, and run model monitoring processes.Assist in providing analysis in key areas including risk monitoring, risk management and risk/return optimizations for ARA strategies.Assist in analyzing approaches to solving investment problems, quantifying results and recommending practical implementation approaches.Assist in conceptualizing investment strategies, developing and continuously improving models, and precisely translating mathematical models into code.Back-test investment ideas and develop quantitative tools and risk management concepts.Work collaboratively across several functional areas within SWIB.Work collaboratively with operations and risk management teams to acquire strategies' holdings and risk data.Work with data vendors to understand the characteristics and integrate their data into ARA models.The ideal candidate:
Advanced Degree in finance, economics, or another related field
High-level econometric and math skills.Proven ability to conduct empirical research.Ability to grasp the economic essentials of a problem as well as its technical aspects.Strong programming, analytical, and quantitative skills.Proficiency in a programming language is a must-have requirement.Ability to work with and organize large data sets for statistical analysis, including some familiarity with database management.
Professional background
Overall work experience of 1 to 3 years, which may include internships or relevant dissertation workPhD and/or Masters in Economics/Finance/Econometrics/Data Science or other scientific disciplines desirableCFA and/or FRM or other appropriate professional investment designation or progress towards appropriate designation (desirable)Research and or work experience focused on cross asset class, cross style factor premia highly desirableCreativity and a willingness to seek and present new ideasExcellent verbal and written communication skillsAn ability to be adaptive and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environmentStrong work ethic, attention to detail, team orientation
SWIB Offers:
Competitive total cash compensation, based on AON (formerly McLagan) industry benchmarksComprehensive benefits packageEducational and training opportunitiesTuition reimbursementChallenging work in a professional environmentHybrid work environment
The position requires U.S. work authorization.
Pursuant to our Hybrid Remote Work Policy, all staff have the flexibility to work remotely, but are required to have a weekly presence in our offices, the frequency of which is dependent on their distance from office. Staff are not required to reside locally; however, we offer relocation reimbursement to the Dane County area per our policy.
All SWIB employees are subject to SWIB's Ethics Policy and Personal Trade Approvals Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have limits on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from SWIB's talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by SWIB's compliance team.
Making a DifferenceThe State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB), founded in 1951, is a premier global investment organization responsible for managing the more than $156 billion of assets of the fully funded Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), the State Investment Fund and other state funds. Through SWIB's effective and innovative investment management, WRS remains one of the only fully funded US public pensions. We are the 9th largest public pension fund in the U.S. and the 25th largest public or private pension fund in the world. SWIB is recognized by the investment industry for our teamwork and innovation. SWIB pursues sophisticated global investment strategies across the asset and risk allocation spectrum. Providers across the investment ecosystem seek to partner with SWIB.
Serving more than 677,000 beneficiaries of the WRS, SWIB is a mission-driven organization focused on providing a strong financial future to those who committed their careers to public service. For public employees and the 1,500 Wisconsin employers who contribute on their behalf, we are a trusted partner. Our team innovates continuously to meet the challenges of an evolving investment landscape while growing and protecting the assets of the WRS.
SWIB provides a strong, steady economic pillar for the state of Wisconsin by growing the trust funds under its management, managing risk, and optimizing costs of the long term. We are a mission-driven organization and the participants we serve are our mission. By bringing a disciplined, prudent, and innovative approach to market opportunities, SWIB has been successful in generating required returns and maintaining the trust of the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the funds we oversee.
Home To Top Talent
Our high-performing staff is key to what makes us a premier investment manager. SWIB is committed to investing in talented professionals to implement our robust, sophisticated investment strategies and to keep the organization at the forefront of the investment industry. We encourage innovation and offer professional development opportunities to help staff sharpen and expand their skills. Approximately 61 percent of SWIB's investment professionals are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholders.
About the TeamThe Asset & Risk Allocation (ARA) division is responsible for the overall investment structure of the Core and Variable Trust Funds. ARA recommends and implements the asset allocation for the policy portfolio, and recommends and implements the active risk budget. ARA also drives and supports the exposure management process for making investments at the "top of the house," including macro-driven asset class, market and currency positioning and the up-scaling of select bottom-up investment opportunities.
The ARA division is currently composed of 26 team members with an average of 15 years' relevant experience. This role offers a unique opportunity to learn and contribute to all facets of the asset allocation investment process, with a focus on quantitative evaluation of investment risks, opportunities and factor premium analysis.
Position Overview
Essential activities:
Responsible for conducting rigorous quantitative analysis across a broad spectrum of asset classes, using advanced statistical techniques and investment insights to bolster existing and new investment strategies.Statistical modelling with emphasis on time-series analysis.Identify and manage new datasets that support investment decisions and risk management processes.Create and use algorithms to investigate data sets and check them for consistency.Support senior team members by helping to code new models, test these models, validate them, document them, and run model monitoring processes.Assist in providing analysis in key areas including risk monitoring, risk management and risk/return optimizations for ARA strategies.Assist in analyzing approaches to solving investment problems, quantifying results and recommending practical implementation approaches.Assist in conceptualizing investment strategies, developing and continuously improving models, and precisely translating mathematical models into code.Back-test investment ideas and develop quantitative tools and risk management concepts.Work collaboratively across several functional areas within SWIB.Work collaboratively with operations and risk management teams to acquire strategies' holdings and risk data.Work with data vendors to understand the characteristics and integrate their data into ARA models.The ideal candidate:
Advanced Degree in finance, economics, or another related field
High-level econometric and math skills.Proven ability to conduct empirical research.Ability to grasp the economic essentials of a problem as well as its technical aspects.Strong programming, analytical, and quantitative skills.Proficiency in a programming language is a must-have requirement.Ability to work with and organize large data sets for statistical analysis, including some familiarity with database management.
Professional background
Overall work experience of 1 to 3 years, which may include internships or relevant dissertation workPhD and/or Masters in Economics/Finance/Econometrics/Data Science or other scientific disciplines desirableCFA and/or FRM or other appropriate professional investment designation or progress towards appropriate designation (desirable)Research and or work experience focused on cross asset class, cross style factor premia highly desirableCreativity and a willingness to seek and present new ideasExcellent verbal and written communication skillsAn ability to be adaptive and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environmentStrong work ethic, attention to detail, team orientation
SWIB Offers:
Competitive total cash compensation, based on AON (formerly McLagan) industry benchmarksComprehensive benefits packageEducational and training opportunitiesTuition reimbursementChallenging work in a professional environmentHybrid work environment
The position requires U.S. work authorization.
Pursuant to our Hybrid Remote Work Policy, all staff have the flexibility to work remotely, but are required to have a weekly presence in our offices, the frequency of which is dependent on their distance from office. Staff are not required to reside locally; however, we offer relocation reimbursement to the Dane County area per our policy.
All SWIB employees are subject to SWIB's Ethics Policy and Personal Trade Approvals Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have limits on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from SWIB's talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by SWIB's compliance team.