Investment Associate (Job ID: 2022-2899)

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Office of Financial Service (OFS) is dedicated to supporting the mission of Brookings by ensuring and enhancing its financial health and promoting financial efficiency and innovation. We accomplish this by safeguarding the institution’s assets, stewarding donor contributions and providing quality and client-driven service characterized by professionalism, integrity, reliability, transparency, accountability, expertise, and above all else – respectfulness and fairness. OFS is comprised of Accounting, Financial Planning and Management, Financial Operations and Investments.  

The Investment Office manages Brookings’ financial assets, particularly the long-term endowment funds originally established by Robert and Isabella Brookings and augmented since by other donors. Approximately 45 legally separate funds support both restricted and unrestricted operations. The funds are pooled into a single investment portfolio that is broadly diversified.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires all staff and visitors to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings.  

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation.  Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.   

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

The Investment Associate is an important contributor to the Office’s investment research and decision-making processes.  The primary responsibility is to collect qualitative and quantitative information about existing and prospective asset managers and other investments, to analyze and document his/her findings, and to support senior colleagues’ further manager due diligence and investment recommendations.  As a member of a small team, the Associate additionally shares in routine tasks to monitor portfolio market values and prepare reports for the Investment Committee.  Business travel required: 10-20% of time.

Investment manager research and selection (50%)

• Generates new manager ideas, by
  • Screening in-coming requests from prospective managers and responding appropriately
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with marketers and peers
  • Schedules, plans the agenda, attends and/or conducts due diligence meetings
• Collects, analyzes and documents research findings, both quantitative and qualitative
  • Ensures that due diligence meetings are written up
  • Collects information about managers’ investment team, process and strategy, and constructs the data into useful records
  • Analyzes past performance
  • Develops a sense of what performance to expect from a given investment strategy
  • Assesses and documents research observations and preliminary conclusions
• Compares and contrasts managers’ investment strategies and organizations, including strengths and weaknesses
• Assists colleagues in reviewing and completing investment manager contracts
• Assists colleagues in maintaining the document libraries and procedures manual
• Drafts manager and/or other investment recommendation memos
• Assists colleagues in preparing the existing manager update quarterly for the Investment Committee

General market research and portfolio strategy (30%)

• Develops a thorough understanding of current investment markets.
• In collaboration with colleagues, discovers, defines and evaluates new investment opportunities and their fit in the portfolio.
• Prepares portfolio reports for the Investment Committee.
• Assists colleagues with the annual asset allocation review, annual risk review, quarterly performance reports and any other ad-hoc analyses of the whole portfolio.
• Attends and takes notes in the Investment Committee meetings.

Investment office operations (20%)

• Participates in updating the current portfolio market value report regularly.
• Maintains strong and open internal communications. Keeps informed about other team members’ activities in order to be able to pitch in as needed.
• Assists colleagues in general supporting other teams within the Office of Financial Services
• Contributes actively to on-going team efforts to improve efficiency.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature as those above, as may be assigned.

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required.  CFA candidates preferred.  Minimum of two years of relevant work experience required at another institutional investor and an investment consulting firm.    CFA candidates preferred.  Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Excellent communication skills, both in writing and verbally.  Excellent skills in math and/or statistics, quantitative analysis, problem solving and general critical thinking.  Strong attention to detail and ability to take initiative.  Ability to represent the institution appropriately with outsiders.  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.  Familiarity with FactSet, Bloomberg or any investment research programs is preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge and interest investment markets and methods is required, including:  Familiarity with money managers and/or research experience in one asset class.  Experience conducting research, either in an academic or business setting, and contributing to the formulation of the final research findings.  Knowledge of investment assets (e.g. stocks, bonds, property, commodities, cash) and markets is required.  Knowledge of analytical methods for determining fair value and an investment’s merits is preferred but not required.    

Additional Information:

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.