ABOUT COMMONFUND OCIO
Commonfund is an investment management firm serving the institutional market with a particular focus on the nonprofit and public sectors. Commonfund was founded in 1971 with a two-part mission: to create investment solutions for nonprofits that previously did not have the scale and access to the best managers, and to create educational programs that would bring current best investment practices to institutional investors of all sizes and segments. Today, helping nonprofit institutions maintain equity across generations in the stewardship of financial assets is our unwavering goal. Commonfund, through our OCIO practice, is unique in this focus. Our client roster includes leading educational endowments, foundations, cultural institutions, operating charities, and healthcare organizations. As of December 31, 2024, the firm managed over $29 billion on behalf of 1,672 clients, including 118 discretionary advisory clients.
Our model includes investment and risk management; manager research and due diligence, operational and administrative back-office capabilities; tailored reporting and analytics; and research and education for investors in the program.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Commonfund seeks to hire a Director to assume investment- and client-related responsibilities within the Outsourced Chief Investment Office (OCIO) Advisory Team. The OCIO Advisory Team provides total portfolio solutions for its advisory client relationships. It is a highly visible position and critical to the success of the organization and its growth. The successful candidate will be expected to work collaboratively with others in the manager research, sales and service, and operations teams to provide high-quality, timely, and complete responses to our clients and must possess the ability to conduct themselves in a committee meeting, facilitate discussion, and aide in decision making.
This position can be based in our New York City or Wilton, CT office.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Facilitate OCIO capabilities for nonprofit institutions including policy formulation, asset allocation recommendations, portfolio construction, tactical rebalancing, specialized analysis, portfolio management, evaluation, and oversight of client portfolios.
- Conduct quarterly portfolio reviews, including overseeing client performance calculation and written analysis.
- Conduct month-end portfolio reviews and rebalance client portfolios, taking into consideration liquidity needs, risk and return objectives and client preferences.
- Use strong communication skills tailored to a client’s understanding to concisely discuss and summarize complex ideas involving portfolio construction, performance, and attribution.
- Educate clients on the firm’s investment options, current market conditions, market expectations, and the economic outlook.
- Respond to questions and lead investment discussions at scheduled and ad-hoc client meetings and on calls.
- Generate asset allocation recommendations for current and prospective institutions by using portfolio modeling applications.
- Use analytical tools to educate new and existing clients about their institution-specific metrics that help inform key inputs into strategic policy recommendations.
- Develop an in-depth knowledge of Commonfund’s investment strategies and programs through collaboration with manager research teams.
- Represent a client’s point of view in internal investment-related meetings and discussions.
- Work with all members of the Commonfund teams to share best practices and mentor secondary contacts on accounts.
- Contribute to the creation of blog posts and whitepapers through research and industry trends in the investment and endowment management field.
- Foster positive employee relations and champion the firm’s strategic priorities, objectives, and policies.
PREFFERED BACKGROUND:
- 7-10 years of experience in the investment industry specifically related to directly managing total portfolios or in an OCIO capacity.
- Knowledge of investment strategies and their integration within total portfolio management.
- Experience with issues related to managing non-profit clients and sophisticated investment committees.
- Strong financial acumen, along with analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills.
- Possess the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written, to a constituent base of varied knowledge and complexity levels.
- Strong independent initiative and proactive problem-solving skills.
- A collegial team player who is comfortable sharing responsibility, and managing multiple. assignments and adjusting priorities to meet challenges as they arise with a sense of urgency.
- Desire and willingness to travel.
- Computer proficiency – Microsoft Office.
- MBA, CAIA or CFA designation preferred.
