Valuation Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY
The Head of Valuation owns the strategy, governance, and execution of the valuation function across the firm's private equity, real estate, infrastructure, illiquid credit, strategic investments, and absolute return strategies. The Head of Valuation will set the strategic vision for the function-spanning people, process, and technology, including the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence-and will build, scale, and lead the organization required to deliver it. Responsibilities will include overseeing the management of the periodic financial reporting valuation processes across the firm, including coordination, review, and approval of all investment valuations pursuant to ASC Topic 820. In addition, the Head of Valuation will be responsible for overseeing new and growing valuation operations for investment funds to be made available to retail investors through various retail distribution partnerships or channels including registered interval funds. The Head of Valuation will lead valuation committee discussions and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, working in close partnership with the firm's investment teams across all asset classes and collaborating across Corporate Accounting, Fund Accounting and Analysis, Treasury, Legal, Tax, external and internal auditors, and the firm's various JV partners and fund service providers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Setting the strategic vision for the valuation function across people, process, and technology-including the responsible use of artificial intelligence and automation-and building the organization, operating model, and tools required to deliver it at scale.
• Leading the valuation process across the firm's investment strategies, including private equity, real estate, infrastructure, illiquid credit, strategic investments, and absolute return strategies.
• Oversight of the firm's quarterly review of illiquid securities valuations across the entire capital structure including common equity, preferred equity, senior debt, mezzanine debt, and warrants.
• Building, managing, and developing a high-performing team of valuation professionals-attracting and retaining talent, mentoring and coaching individuals, managing performance, and establishing succession plans-while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Serving as a centralized resource and subject matter expert for valuation and related information across the firm.
• Leading valuation committee discussions, framing key judgments and conclusions, and presenting valuation matters to senior management, auditors, and other governance bodies.
• Building deep, collaborative partnerships with the firm's investment teams across all asset classes-private equity, real estate, infrastructure, illiquid credit, strategic investments, and absolute return-working alongside deal and portfolio professionals to understand each investment, align on valuation assumptions and methodologies, and ensure rigorous, well-supported, and timely conclusions.
• Oversight of the daily valuation process of interval funds managed by GCM Grosvenor, including a daily assessment of the fair value of illiquid infrastructure and private equity investments.
• Coordinating with GCM accounting teams, third-party valuation firm, and fund administrators, to ensure valuations updates are reflected in the daily net asset value of the interval funds.
• Directing the coordination, training, and oversight of the investment professionals responsible for valuation preparation.
• Regularly interact with other groups at the firm including accounting, fund finance, performance reporting, investments, and others.

GENERAL EDUCATION, SKILLS OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• BA/BS in Finance, Economics, or Accounting with outstanding academic credentials is required. A graduate degree in Business, Finance, or Economics would be additive.
• 15+ years of financial reporting valuation experience at an independent valuation services firm, a valuation group within an accounting firm, or an alternative investment firm, including significant experience in a leadership capacity. Professional certifications are preferred (i.e., CFA, CPA, CAIA, etc.). 
• Alternative investment industry experience, particularly private equity, and an understanding of the concepts and data relating to valuation approaches and methods.
• Demonstrated leadership and people-management abilities, with a track record of building, developing, and retaining high-performing teams and of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong leadership and communication skills in order to establish trusted relationships across many Firm departments (Corporate Accounting, Fund Accounting and Analysis, Legal, Tax, Human Resources, Corporate Development, Investor Relations) to identify issues, analyze current processes, and implement future changes.
• In-depth knowledge of US GAAP and proficiency in technical accounting research with respect to valuation.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage organizational change and cross-collaborate with non-accounting functions.
• A forward-looking orientation toward process, technology, and data, with a strong interest in leveraging automation and artificial intelligence to enhance the scalability, efficiency, and quality of the valuation function.
• Highly organized and efficient - must be able to process a large volume of information and manage competing priorities with effective detail orientation.
• Ability to operate under pressure and manage to strict deadlines.

In terms of cultural fit, the successful candidate will be self-motivated and energized by working amongst a group of thoughtful, smart, fast-paced and successful colleagues.  They will be a naturally collaborative individual who enjoys interacting with individuals at all levels.  Additionally, they will be a strong team player with a proactive approach and the ability to take initiative with discretion and judgment.