Job Description
Position: Senior Analyst, Absolute Return
Location: Montreal
Current Opportunity
Reporting to the Portfolio Manager, Absolute Return, the Senior Analyst will be responsible for conducting thorough assessments and evaluations of potential hedge fund investments. You will specifically focus on analyzing the operational aspects of external managers to identify potential risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement. This role requires a combination of financial analysis skills, operational expertise, and strong due diligence capabilities.
The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the hedge fund industry, strong analytical skills, excellent communication skills, and a track record of delivering superior results in a fast-paced, challenging environment.
Primary Responsibilities
- Perform comprehensive due diligence on prospective and existing hedge fund and other external fund investments at the division, with a specific focus on operational aspects such as operational infrastructure, processes, and systems to assess their efficiency, scalability, and risk management practices
- Analyze financial statements, regulatory filings, and other relevant documents to gain insights into the financial health and stability of potential investments
- Identify potential risks, operational weaknesses, and areas of improvement that could impact investment performance
- Assess the effectiveness of operational controls, governance structures, and compliance frameworks
- Collaborate with investment teams to provide insights and recommendations based on operational due diligence findings
- Prepare and present recommendations to senior management. This may include preparing written reports, creating visual aids, and delivering verbal presentations to present due diligence reports, answer questions, and address concerns related to operational aspects.
- Provide ongoing monitoring and updates on external managers’ operational performance to support investment decision-making and risk management
- Stay up to date with industry best practices and regulatory requirements related to operational risk management
- Review and analyze a variety of legal documents, including investment agreements, offering memorandums, private placement memorandums, side letters, fund structures, contracts, and other documents to ensure accuracy, compliance, and alignment with firm objectives
- Support the due diligence process by reviewing legal documents and performing background checks on potential investment opportunities, legal counterparts, and service providers. Work closely with the external legal counsel to review, draft, and negotiate terms of agreements, ensuring that all legal aspects align with the Fund’s strategy and interests.
- Collaborate with the investment, operations, and compliance teams to ensure that legal and contractual obligations are understood and properly executed
- Contribute to the teams’ capabilities and expertise by building a strong internal network with various investment and non-investment teams
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams, external service providers, and industry contacts to gather relevant information and industry insights
Professional Requirements
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant capital markets-related experience, with a significant portion of experience in an operational due diligence role in absolute return strategy
- Solid understanding of hedge fund operations, financial markets, and investment strategies
- Familiarity with operational risk management frameworks and best practices
- Detail-oriented with exceptional research and due diligence capabilities
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues from a range of backgrounds and disciplines, and to be able to communicate concepts and ideas in a clear and concise manner
- Professional designations (CFA, FRM/PRM, or CAIA, obtained or in progress) are preferred
- Excellent French and English language communication skills (spoken and written)
- Availability to travel
Desirable Skills and Aptitudes
- Disciplined with intellectual curiosity; strong analytical, research, and organizational skills
- Team player with a desire to work in a collegiate collaborative environment
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills to interface with fund managers and internal team members are required; must be able to articulate complex issues clearly, concisely, and convincingly
- Strong qualitative judgement and decision-making skills