Senior Investment Analyst - Private Credit

Experience GuideStone!

We are an innovative organization that invests in the spiritual, relational, financial, physical and professional development of our employees. We have a culture that values excellence, teamwork, humility, integrity, compassion and stewardship.

What We Offer You!

We offer employees a generous benefits package, flexible work schedules, the opportunity to be involved in community outreach and tuition reimbursement.

Senior Investment Analyst position whose primary responsibility is to lead the research and due diligence activities specific for private credit investment opportunities on behalf of GuideStone Financial Resources (GSFR) and (GuideStone Investment Services) (GSIS) as directed by the Managing Director.

This specific role is expected to lead the private credit research and diligence efforts from beginning to end (from ideation and manager sourcing to recommendation and then ongoing monitoring).  The position would be expected to work closely with other team members (including the Portfolio Manager and Senior Manager, Research) in carrying out their responsibilities within the well-defined institutional process that GuideStone has put in place.  This senior level position is the highest level of investment analyst and is expected to be proficient in all research aspects related to areas of assignment.   This individual must have a robust knowledge of the private market landscape, in particular private credit, including key factors influencing private markets, important considerations for due diligence and have a robust understanding of many institutional funds in the marketplace.  The candidate should also understand how private markets perform within the context of the broader macro environment.  

This position is considered a ‘career position’, but there can be opportunity for advancement over time.

What You'll Need

• Lead investment and manager research in the assigned areas of alternative investments.

• Writing quarterly manager reports for all assigned managers and communicating key updates to the team.

• Initial and ongoing ranking of all managers (existing and pipeline) within established manager ranking system.

• Lead manager/fund sourcing efforts for private market investments as assigned. Maintain a robust pipeline of private market investment managers and funds.

• Participation in the creation of a quarterly heat map used to identify the most attractive areas for investment.

• Responsible for evaluating the appropriateness of investment management firms and strategies in relation to portfolio construction needs, including the consideration of all factors related to both the attractiveness and timeliness of strategies.

• Drafting and presenting investment recommendation memos to internal Investment Committee for new investment opportunities.

• Work with third parties to leverage their capabilities to the fullest extent possible and consider their research and insights when conducting manager searches and recommendations.

• Maintain advanced skills on all analytical tools to support the investment management and research process.

• Develop market information, analysis and observations concerning factors influencing performance of managers/funds and client accounts.

• Maintain strong working relationships with each manager and fund under assignment for the purpose of facilitating ongoing portfolio management reporting and diligence needs, negotiating favorable economics and providing preferred access to strategies.

• Conduct deep economic research to develop thematic investment insights that drive specific manager research efforts.

• Ensure that research meeting notes are properly documented in a standardized form and in a timely manner.

• Organize investment manager due diligence records in a manner that are easily and efficiently accessible by other members of the portfolio management team, including both internal manager call notes, opinion documents, recommendation memos and research from external sources.

• Design and produce internal reporting and analysis of activities and results across all investment strategies and funds to the level necessary to meet the needs of management in evaluating the effectiveness of the investment program.

• Establish and maintain manager mandates/guidelines (as applicable).

• Work with the compliance team to be knowledgeable and to understand issues regarding the adherence to the investment strategies and stated policies.

• Other duties as may be assigned.

What You'll Need

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent work experience.

• Masters Degree, preferred.

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), preferred.

• Chartered Alternative Analyst (CAIA), preferred.

• Solid PC skills including spreadsheet and internet capabilities.

• At least 10 years in the investment industry.

• At least 5 years with direct private market credit experience.

• Excellent analytical skills.

• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing to investment managers, internal staff, investment consultants, and third-party vendors.

• Ability to conduct independent research and develop well thought-out conclusions/recommendations.

• Strong understanding of private markets and various investment vehicles, strategies and terminology.

• Utilization of and strong understanding of quantitative evaluation methods and statistical measures necessary for thorough investment analysis.

• Strong understanding of investment philosophies and processes.

• Proficient skills in MS Office and appropriate GuideStone system applications.

• Must have complete confidentiality regarding GuideStone business matters.

#LI-hybrid

#LI-AB1