Caissa Public Strategy

Senior Investment Associate – Caltech Job Summary

The Senior Investment Associate is an essential role that bridges meticulous data analysis with independent investment judgment. The primary responsibilities include supporting Managing Directors, Directors, and Associate Directors in the implementation and oversight of investment strategies, evaluating new investment opportunities, and managing post‑investment relationships with external investment organizations. The role delivers analytical work for asset allocation, portfolio management, and thematic research, and handles risk management, process management, and external relationship projects. Senior Associates are eligible to serve on the Internal Investment Committee of the Investment Office.

Essential Job Duties Investment Research

• Monitor existing holdings and regularly assess manager relationships. Conduct regular calls or meetings with investment partners. Provide written documentation of manager meetings, sharing fund updates and key insights with the investment team.
• Conduct due diligence of potential new investments, guided by senior members of the team. Perform detailed quantitative analysis at the asset class and manager level. Synthesize qualitative findings, including investment strategy, organizational dynamics, and operational considerations.
• Support senior members of the team by independently authoring investment memos (or segments of memos) and responding to requests for additional data or analysis.
• Thematic research: Assess new investment areas, strategies, and asset classes as requested by senior investment staff.
• Develop investment judgment and an independent voice.

Portfolio Management & Asset Allocation

• Train Investment Analysts in analytical approaches, maintaining sufficient knowledge of the analytical underpinnings of asset allocation and cash‑flow models to facilitate knowledge transfer and mentoring.

Managing Processes & Relationships

• Create and maintain high‑quality presentation materials for regular internal discussions as well as ad hoc requests by senior investment staff.
• Ad hoc projects in support of senior members of the team.

Analytics and Information Management

• Maintain proficiency in third‑party software (e.g., Caissa) to train Investment Analysts to perform detailed portfolio analysis. Become knowledgeable in other software or third‑party data providers as necessary.

Basic Qualifications

• Four years of relevant work experience, likely gained in an endowment, foundation, family office, or direct investment management environment.
• Basic understanding of fundamental investment concepts, and the ability to process both quantitative and qualitative inputs to long‑term economic value creation.
• Progress toward independent investment judgment and perspective on how to manage a dynamic investment portfolio.
• Critical thinking and healthy skepticism that engages with large amounts of complex, often conflicting information in search of strategic clarity.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with a small team.
• Willingness to be challenged as part of a collegial inter‑disciplinary search for superior investment knowledge and outcomes.
• Impeccable honesty, integrity, and an appreciation for high standards of conduct, work product, and ultimate outcomes.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Ownership mentality, bringing a sense of personal responsibility for the sustained success of the Investment Office.
• Ability to act independently to achieve a high‑quality product. Ability to handle multiple assignments, often with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Enthusiasm for Caltech's dual institutional missions of conducting groundbreaking scientific research and providing a rigorous education to promising STEM students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct investing experience in public or private equity, potentially including fundamental investing in public markets, private equity secondaries, private equity co‑investments, or related skills.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.