Director - Investment Grade Research

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC, located in Milwaukee, WI, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company with over $250 billion in assets under management (AUM).  The Public Investment department manages $135 billion of total AUM and provides fixed income expertise to Northwestern Mutual and its affiliate corporations, including the foundation and retirement plan.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The primary responsibility of this role will be to conduct independent fundamental research in assigned industries and issuers as well as provide forward looking and dynamic relative value assessments and recommendations consistent with portfolio strategy and return objectives.  This role will work closely with the Head of Credit Research and the Credit Research team, Portfolio Managers and Traders.  The role will also collaborate with the Investment Strategy, Investment Risk & Operations, Compliance and Law departments.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITES: 

• Exhibit expert knowledge of assigned industry dynamics, informed by deep understanding of profitability and cash flow drivers, as well as technological and other exogenous risks and opportunities.  
• Conduct thorough fundamental issuer credit analysis, including financial statement analysis and the evaluation of financial policy, management track record, competitive position, and credit ratings profile.
• Determine relative value opportunities within assigned issuers and provide timely and responsive investment recommendations based on current portfolio strategy.  Adapt recommendations to specific portfolio return objectives.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate concise and persuasive investment theses and recommendations.
• Develop and maintain strong external relationships with Wall Street analysts and strategists, credit rating agencies and independent research firms as well as company management teams. 

GROUP/ ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMIC:

• Promote a culture of mutual respect and high ethical standards.
• Adopt NM Behaviors: Client First, Powered by Our People, Future Focus.
• Exercise good judgment and independence in thought.
• Generate and lead process improvements through the effective use of technology and data science.
• Effectively respond in a timely manner to requests for data, opinions, and other information.
• Attend and lead/participate in group activities and engage others in relevant discussion.      

REQUIREMENTS:

• Five years of relevant work experience conducting credit analysis.  Experience in Financials is a plus as one of two positions will focus on that sector.
• Master of Science or Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred.   Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on finance, accounting, economics, statistics or other related area.
• CFA designation or progress towards attaining the CFA designation required. 
• Strong analytical skills, particularly in performing financial statement analysis, evaluating cross-sector relative value, and presenting credit recommendations for potential investment opportunities.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to prioritize work.
• Proficiency with Bloomberg, Blackrock Aladdin and other programing or data analytic tools is desirable.

#LI-Hybrid

Compensation Range:

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

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We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.