Senior Manager Research Analyst

At Great Gray Group, we strive to set the bar for the retirement services industry. Our goal is to deliver advanced retirement solutions that combine our core fiduciary services with robust investment options, innovative technology, and dedicated client service. We focus on making choices clearer, transitions smoother, and the client experience more delightful. Complacency isn't in our vocabulary. Every day, we look for opportunities to better serve our clients, be an excellent business partner, and earn the trust of those who rely on us. 

The Role

Great Gray is looking to add a Senior Manager Research Analyst to our Investment Oversight team. This role is responsible for the planning and execution of investment oversight activities across Great Gray, including the evaluation of new Collective Investment Trust products and the ongoing monitoring of Great Gray's 600+ Collective Investment Funds (CIFs) and 70+ sub-advisors engaged to support Great Gray's investment management responsibilities. This role sits at the intersection of strategy and execution — you will set the direction and own the delivery.

Location

This position will work from our Wilmington, DE office. Great Gray currently supports a hybrid work model with 4 days onsite, and 1 day remote.

Visa sponsorship or transfer of an existing visa is not available for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work directly for any employer in the United States without visa sponsorship or transfer.

Responsibilities 

• Maintain current knowledge of financial markets and a broad variety of asset classes.
• Lead external manager research evaluations and sub-advisor recommendations across all Collective Investment Funds; present findings to the Fiduciary Policy Oversight Committee (FPOC), articulating current and relevant economic, financial, and market information.
• Manage and oversee the end-to-end investment process for all collective funds, ensuring monitoring and reviews are completed consistently and on time, and that all exceptions, corrective actions, and escalated items are appropriately addressed.
• Construct and maintain Investment Policy Statements (IPS) for sub-advised funds.
• Own the investment integrity and operating standards of Great Gray's sub-advisors, ensuring adherence to established investment guidelines, policies, and fund objectives.
• Assess sub-advisor and fund performance on an ongoing basis; complete initial and annual collective fund investment reviews.
• Conduct ongoing due diligence on manager research firms and new sub-advisor relationships.
• Aid in all ERISA fiduciary decision-making from an investment management perspective.
• Actively participate in and serve on relevant governance committees supporting Great Gray.
• Maintain current understanding of changes in the industry, including Federal, State-specific, and government regulations.
• Serve as a mentor for other Great Gray investment professionals.
• Identify risk-related issues and escalate to management as appropriate; design, implement, and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis.
• Participate actively in enterprise projects, initiatives, group meetings, and calls.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 7 years of investment-related experience.
• Comprehensive industry and investment knowledge across a broad range of asset classes and collective fund structures.
• Experience reading, analyzing, and interpreting business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.
• Strong analytical skills — able to synthesize complex or diverse information and translate it into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present numerical data and investment concepts effectively to committee audiences.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment; collaborative by nature, with a track record of contributing to a positive team culture.
• Solid proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant investment research tools.
• CFA preferred
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity.
• Entrepreneurial mindset to bring best practice ideas to the team.
• Your standards reflect our core values: Growth Mindset, Disciplined Curiosity, Grit, Results Ownership, Collaboration.

We have a comprehensive and competitive benefits package at Great Gray. Some of the highlights are:

·         Be an integral part of a high-growth organization!

·         Competitive compensation package

·         Group medical, dental and vision insurance

·         Employer-paid life and disability insurance

·         Annual well-being stipend

·         Eligible employees may also contribute to a 401(k) plan with an advantageous employer contribution model, upholding our mission to support our employees in retirement

 

Great Gray is the leading independent provider of trustee and administrative services to Collective Investment Trusts (“CITs”), with over $370 billion in CIT assets under management, across more than 1,020 funds. We proudly work with more than 80 subadvisors, including leading firms such as AllianceBernstein, American Funds, BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, MetLife, Neuberger Berman, PGIM, PIMCO and Raymond James. 

 

CITs are more than just an investment vehicle. They represent a forward-thinking approach to retirement planning. These tax-exempt, pooled investment vehicles are offered to employer-sponsored retirement plans, like 401(k)s. CITs are comparable to mutual funds, but, because they are tailored for the institutional retirement market, they can offer distinct advantages, including efficient administration and cost-effectiveness. CITs have a history dating back over 90 years; but they have gained favor over the past decade, driven by innovations, and Great Gray has been at the forefront.

 

Great Gray has consistently delivered year-over-year growth at an above market rate and is investing in the continued development of its core CIT business as well as complementary administrative services and technology solutions for the retirement market.

 

Madison Dearborn Partners (“MDP”) purchased Great Gray from Wilmington Trust in April 2023. As a result, Great Gray is an independent company owned by funds affiliated with MDP.

 

MDP is a leading private equity investment firm based in Chicago. Since MDP's formation in 1992, the firm has raised aggregate capital of over $37 billion and has completed over 160 platform investments across nine flagship funds. MDP invests across five dedicated industry verticals, including financial services, healthcare, technology and government services.

 

Great Gray Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status or other non-merit factor.

 

Great Gray is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities and/or those who have special needs participate in the workforce and are afforded equal opportunity to apply and compete for jobs. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, need assistance completing the application process, or need to request an accommodation for any part of our application or interview process, please contact us at: TalentAcquisition@GreatGray.com