Quantitative Portfolio Optimization Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Quantitative Portfolio Manager is responsible for overseeing the performance and risk management of Tax-Advantaged Long/Short (L/S) Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs). Core responsibilities include monitoring portfolio performance, diagnosing drivers of returns and drawdowns, and working closely with alpha researchers, traders, and investment engineers to support ongoing improvements to portfolio construction and L/S investment processes.
The position requires direct equity L/S experience gained at a hedge fund, asset manager, or sellside quantitative desk, along with strong quantitative skills, portfolio oversight capabilities, and the ability to engage meaningfully in collaborative research. Day-to-day work is hands-on and involves a high degree of individual accountability.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Live Portfolio Oversight
• Monitor daily P&L across L/S SMAs
• Decompose returns by signal, factor, sector, and idiosyncratic components
• Diagnose drawdowns and performance divergence across accounts
Risk & Diagnostics
• Run factor and risk decompositions (systematic vs. idiosyncratic)
• Identify unintended exposures and style drift
• Evaluate turnover, capacity, and realized transaction costs
Alpha Feedback Loop
• Work directly with alpha researchers and traders to evaluate live signal performance
• Detect signal decay, instability, and crowding risks
• Provide data-driven insights to improve portfolio construction and implementation efficiency
Process Enhancements
• Build and refine performance monitoring tools and dashboards
• Improve automation of attribution and reporting
• Strengthen portfolio construction framework for scalability and robustness
Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in quantitative equities
• Direct Long/Short experience at a hedge fund, asset manager, or sellside quant desk

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in quantitative equities
• Strong understanding of:
  • Equity factor models
  • Portfolio optimization and risk models
  • Performance attribution and signal evaluation
• Strong Python skills; ability to work with large datasets and production research code
• Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing live L/S portfolios

Anticipated Posting End Date:
2026-07-25
Base Pay Range: $79.33/hr - $109.13/hr
Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, base salary of internal peers, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, the competitive compensation package may include, depending on the role, participation in an incentive program linked to performance (for example, annual discretionary incentive programs, non-annual sales incentive plans, or other non-annual incentive plans).
Company Overview
Nuveen is a global investment leader, managing public and private assets for clients around the world and on behalf of TIAA, our parent company and one of the world's largest institutional investors. We invest in the growth of businesses, real estate, infrastructure and natural capital, providing clients with the reliability, access and foresight unique to our heritage. Our prevailing perspective on the future drives our ambition to innovate and adapt our business to the changing needs of investors - all to pursue lasting performance for our clients, our communities and our global economy. Visit www.nuveen.com to learn more about us.
Our Culture of Impact
At TIAA, we're on a mission to build on our 100+ year legacy of delivering for our clients while evolving to meet tomorrow's challenges. We equip our associates with future-focused skills and AI tools that enable us to advance our mission. Together, we are fighting to ensure a more secure financial future for all and for generations to come. We are guided by our values: Champion Our People, Be Client Obsessed, Lead with Integrity, Own It, and Win As One. They influence every decision we make and how we work together to serve our clients every day. We thrive in a collaborative in-office environment where teams work across organizational boundaries with shared purpose, accelerating innovation and delivering meaningful results. Our workplace brings together TIAA and Nuveen's entrepreneurial spirit, where we work hard and work together to create lasting impact. Here, every associate can grow through meaningful learning experiences and development pathways-because when our people succeed, our impact on clients' lives grows stronger.
Benefits and Total Rewards
The organization is committed to making financial well-being possible for its clients, and is equally committed to the well-being of our associates. That's why we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to make a positive difference in the lives of our associates and their loved ones. Our benefits include a superior retirement program and highly competitive health, wellness and work life offerings that can help you achieve and maintain your best possible physical, emotional and financial well-being. To learn more about your benefits, please review our Benefits Summary.
Equal Opportunity
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. TIAA does not discriminate against any candidate or employee on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status.
Our full EEO & Non-Discrimination statement is on our careers home page, and you can read more about your rights and view government notices here.
Accessibility Support
TIAA offers support for those who need assistance with our online application process to provide an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities.
If you are a U.S. applicant and desire a reasonable accommodation to complete a job application please use one of the below options to contact our accessibility support team:
Phone: (800) 842-2755
Email: accessibility.support@tiaa.org
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