Analyst, Portfolio Construction - Toronto, Canada - CPP Investments

Description

We are currently recruiting for an Analyst to join the Active Equities (AE) Portfolio Construction & Risk (PC&R) team in the Toronto office.

AE runs investment portfolios spanning different regions across the globe, including North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Our philosophy is to generate risk-adjusted return (alpha) based on deep fundamental research/insights, coupled with quantitative portfolio construction and active risk management. Our investment programs are Long/Short and market neutral. We design portfolios to outperform according to our long-term investment theses and differentiated alpha insights, while hedging away undesired systematic risk.

Within AE, the PC&R team is responsible for designing and implementing quantitative short/hedging strategies, portfolio construction and risk optimization activities, across all regions. We oversee AE's Hedge Overlay portfolios, as well as our Enhanced Beta program. Additionally, the team participates in strategy characterization, capital and collateral management, and interacts closely with others across the Fund, particularly Total Fund Management (TFM) and the Office of the Chief Investment Officer (OCIO).

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Analyst will play a key role in the PC&R team, partnering closely with other investment professionals within AE and the PC&R team. You will ensure accuracy and appropriateness of portfolio risk, funding and factor related metrics. Additionally, you will be expected to contribute to strategic initiatives that impact portfolio construction and hedging, such as: onboarding new portfolios, assessment of macroeconomic risks, evaluating different risk models and optimizers, portfolio composition and custom hedging/index construction strategies.

Additionally, you will collaborate with several groups across the Fund, including coordinating with: our Trading and Financing desks on trade execution and borrow costs; Investment Risk on risk monitoring and measurement; TFM and OCIO on characterization of AE portfolios; Platform Solutions on developing and systemizing our tools; Middle Office on P&L measurement and reporting.

As the ideal candidate, you are recognized for your diligence and the high quality of work. As an effective communicator, you will build a relationship of trust with key partners, including AE senior management. You are a strong collaborator and are viewed as an impactful team member. You also have a passion for the equity markets, macroeconomic trends and portfolio management.

Factor Driven Hedge Portfolio Construction, Optimization and Management

• Monitor the exposure and risk decomposition of AE portfolios; provide value-add insights regarding the portfolio risk/exposure composition profiles
• Develop comprehensive proposals/recommendations to the Managing Director as well as the regional heads to rebalance the Hedge Overlay portfolios (if/when needed) with the aim to adhere to internal guidelines
• Stay tuned-in with the equity markets and macroeconomic trends to contextualize market-driven volatilities and short term/long term impacts on the portfolios
• Conduct research and analyses on hedge portfolio construction and optimization based on multi factor model frameworks
• Develop a framework around portfolio sensitivity and scenarios analysis to identify, measure and manage potential "Out of Model" risks
• Conduct deep research and brings best practices into assessing alternative risk models to enhance our capabilities of measuring and managing unconventional risk factors
• Partner and work closely with the investment teams on pre-deal analysis and development of bespoke hedging strategies for High Conviction/large size investments
• Contributes to AE portfolio exposure and risk characterization overview and provide timely updates to senior management
• Partner with traders on execution of AE trades and provide value-add analytics around assessment of our trading strategies as well as potential borrow cost optimization
• Interact closely with Platform Solutions team to develop/enhance quantitative tools for portfolio monitoring and advanced analytics
• Develops technical expertise in few portfolios and act as primary point of contact for any portfolio management, hedge construction and risk optimization initiatives
• Partners with brokers and Quant sell-side desks to construct, analyze and manage Custom indices as alternative hedging strategies
• Partner with colleagues within and outside AE on ad hoc and strategic initiatives

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in business, mathematics, engineering, economics, finance or related field
• 2+ years of relevant work experience
• Experience in a hedge fund, asset manager or similar environment would be an asset
• Experience with one or more of the following is an asset: quantitative equity strategies, systematic portfolio construction/management and factor investing
• Progress towards CFA or FRM designations considered an asset
• Versatile and comfortable with conceptualizing complex mathematical problems and solutions
• Expertise and hands-on experience with factor models (e.g. Barra, Wolfe, Axioma, etc.) is considered an asset
• Experience with portfolio optimization processes, derivatives, and risk measurement
• Programming skills for quantitative portfolio management activities (i.e. Python) considered as asset
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) as well as Bloomberg Terminal, Databricks, SQL, VBA
• Proven ability to work independently as well as to perform effectively in a team-oriented environment
• Ability to perform well in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and initiatives
• Exhibit strong attention to detail and accuracy while meeting deadlines and working under pressure
• Self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable
• Passionate about equity markets, investments, and portfolio management
• Solid verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Exemplifies our Guiding Principles of Integrity, Partnership and High Performance

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At CPP Investments, we are committed to diversity and equitable access to employment opportunities based on ability.

We thank all applicants for their interest but will only contact candidates selected to advance in the hiring process.

Our Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity:

In addition to being dedicated to building a workforce that reflects diverse talent, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible experience. If you require an accommodation for any part of the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms, etc.), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Disclaimer:

CPP Investments does not accept resumes from employment placement agencies, head-hunters or recruitment suppliers that are not in a formal contractual arrangement with us. Our recruitment supplier arrangements are restricted to specific hiring needs and do not include this or other web-site job postings. Any resume or other information received from a supplier not approved by CPP Investments to provide resumes to this posting or web-site will be considered unsolicited and will not be considered. CPP Investments will not pay any referral, placement or other fee for the supply of such unsolicited resumes or information.