Senior Portfolio Manager Blog Post

The Maryland State Retirement Agency oversees $66 billion in AUM and is the administrator of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.
The System is a multi-employer, public employees' benefit retirement system composed of twelve (12) separate retirement and pension systems with additional plan components.
The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as Senior Portfolio Manager of the System's Terra Maria emerging manager program within its Investment Division.
The Senior Portfolio Manager reports directly to the Deputy Chief Investment Officer.
The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (System) administers survivor, disability and retirement benefits on behalf of almost 414,000 members.
These include active and former State employees, teachers, State police, judges and law enforcement.
Our mission is to ensure that sufficient assets are available to fund the benefits when due, and to provide a fully funded retirement system that is affordable to all participating employers and provides guaranteed adequate disability, survivor and retirement benefits to our members.
Investment DivisionThe Investment Division is a 50-member team within the System that is responsible for implementing and managing the defined benefit investment program.
The team manages investments internally and partners with external firms to manage a globally diversified portfolio that includes public equity, fixed income, credit, absolute return, real assets and private equity.
During the probationary period, this position will work 100% at the office of the Maryland State Retirement Agency.
After the probationary/training period, and at the discretion of the Unit Director, this position may be eligible to telework two days per week.
Why You'll Love Working Here:Collegial, team-based atmosphereHybrid working environmentOpportunities for growth and career developmentInteresting and meaningful workHow You Will Succeed:Strong analytical and critical thinking skillsPassion for quantitative and qualitative analysisStrong written and verbal communication skillsAbility to build relationshipsHigh degree of intellectual curiosityStrong interest in a results-oriented investment environmentPosition Duties:Lead the outreach, manager interaction and sourcing functions for the Terra Maria program.Identify high value conferences and events to engage with emerging managers and attend, speak or otherwise support the emerging manager ecosystem.Design and maintain multiple access points for managers to engage with the System.Ensure managers receive acknowledgement and feedback on their submissions.Employ, develop and maintain manager databases to identify managers that may be eligible and valuable to the program.Establish processes to promote access for emerging managers, including attending conferences and hosting emerging manager events.Produce regular reporting for the Terra Maria program appropriate for the Investment Committee and Board, system website, legislative reporting.Report quarterly on the activity and performance of the program during weekly division investment committee meetings.Provide strategy research and recommend promising emerging managers to asset class teams or the division.Conduct research into markets, sectors, regions where emerging managers have demonstrated a history of outperformance.Develop and implement diligence templates by asset class to help identify promising managers, particularly in areas of focus for annual plans.Collaborate with asset class teams to evaluate recommended managers/partners.Facilitate and participate in final diligence process and commitment recommendation with asset class teams.Monitor existing emerging managers for consideration for potential graduation into a larger assignment based on success and portfolio fit.Responsible for facilitating the development of a successful emerging manager portfolio as measured by the aggregate performance of the managers relative to a weighted average of the appropriate benchmarks for each.Sets return and risk objectives for Terra Maria managers and monitors performance to those targets.Conducts detailed performance attribution of Terra Maria Managers to explain the sources of risk and return.Determines whether a prospective manager exhibits the appropriate style and characteristics relative to the System's existing exposures.Special Projects as Assigned.On an ongoing basis, lead and participate in procurement processes for division services.On an ad hoc basis, lead special projects as determined by the CIO.Minimum Qualifications:Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college.
Experience: Seven years of professional investment experience, in evaluating, recommending and reporting on emerging managers across the various asset classes.
Desired or Preferred Qualifications:Preference will be given to candidates with:
Experience and knowledge of the emerging manager landscape.A CFA and/or CAIA, FRM designation, and a bachelor's or advanced degree in Math, Science, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or similar field of study.An additional five years of relevant experience will be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.Selection Process:Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.
All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.
We will not consider information submitted after this date.
Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
Examination Process:The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position.
It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.
Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.
Further Instructions:Applicants are encouraged to apply online via the State on-line employment application system at the following web address: https://jobapscloud.com/MD/ to be considered for this recruitment.
However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may forward your Maryland State application to the Maryland State Retirement Agency, Attention: Office of Human Resources, 120 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
DO NOT SUBMIT FORM MS-100 AS IT WILL BE RETURNED.
Resumes are not accepted in lieu of the State application.
Please refrain from writing "See Resume" or "See Attached" on the application.
All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted online or received in our office no later than 1/20/2025.
We will not consider information submitted after this date.
Due to the confidential nature of the work, selected candidates must undergo and pass a background check.
Please make sure we receive your cover letter, Maryland State Application and resume.

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