Wooing My Dream Job (Part 1)

I recently stumbled upon a job listing that captured my attention.

Well… more than “captured my attention.”

Fine: it was virtually love at first sight, okay?!?

Minus some particular details to protect the innocent, the listing reads as follows:

“[We are] a private, non-profit research foundation… formed in 1973 [to help] achieve… objectives around economic development through the commercialization of intellectual property…

[We] manage a… [multi-] million [dollar] endowment, built from decades of licensing revenue derived from… intellectual property. In addition to providing… [millions] in research funding… annually… [we] operate four subsidiary organizations…

[We are looking] to hire a Jr. Investment Analyst to work closely with the Executive Director, Director of Finance, and Chair of the… Foundation’s Investment Committee to assist with the management of the investment portfolio…

The… Foundation’s portfolio is created from decades of licensing revenue derived from licensed intellectual property. It is… a flexible and sustainable resource that creates the margin of excellence for… [us] as a research organization.

As a flexible resource, [we] must be prepared to provide financial support at higher than sustainable expenditure levels in response to extraordinary circumstances… As a sustainable resource… [we carry] an obligation to invest and grow… assets to ensure benefits to this and future generations…

The Board of Directors… is responsible for making decisions that govern all aspects of the… Foundation and its investments are overseen by the… Foundation Investment Committee…

The Investment Committee sets investment objectives and performance measurement standards and has the responsibility to oversee the investment management of the Fund, Endowment, and Restricted Funds on its behalf. The Investment Committee has the responsibility to ensure that the assets of the… Foundation are managed in a manner that is consistent with the policies and objectives of each respective pool of capital.

The portfolio is generally segmented into four main categories including Global Public Equities, Hedge Funds and Fixed Income, Private Equity and Venture Capital and Program Investments. Together, the Investment Committee and… Foundation leadership manage several service providers to assist within the main categories and direct relationships with investment managers to perform diligence, asset allocation, manager selection and reporting.

Job Brief
This role is ideally suited for an individual early in their career. The Jr. Investment Analyst will work closely with the Executive Director, Director of Finance and Chair of the Investment Committee in all aspects of the investment portfolio management and reporting. From monitoring the portfolio positions, preparing, and presenting performance reports, reviewing contracts and fees for managers, capital calls, and performing analysis, the Jr. Investment Analyst will have hands on exposure to helping oversee this important resource.”

I will continue next time.