Job Description
It is inspiring to work in an organization where individuals are deeply committed to the mission and values that drive our success.
We are dedicated to delivering expert pension service to Illinois public educators as they earn their promised retirement security.
Founded in 1939 by the Illinois General Assembly, the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) is one of the largest pension systems in the United States. We provide retirement, disability and survivor benefits to teachers, administrators and other public-school personnel employed outside the city of Chicago. The System serves over 448,000 members and had assets of $74.4 billion as of April 30, 2025. TRS is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees.
Mission Statement:
Delivering expert pension service to Illinois public Educators as they earn their promised retirement security.
The Investments Team:
An investments career with TRS is an opportunity to help Illinois public educators achieve their promised retirement security. The Investments team at TRS serves a critical role within TRS’ mission, as the team collectively manages and monitors over $74.4 billion in retirement assets on behalf of the System, as of April 30, 2025. The team consists of over 38 professionals that are responsible for evaluating and selecting external investment managers for the investment portfolio. Investing in a variety of strategies spanning equity, fixed income, real assets, hedge funds, and private markets asset classes, the team’s investment process includes significant qualitative and quantitative diligence. Investment professionals meet with existing and prospective managers to evaluate manager returns, risk, and fit within the portfolio. Manager exposures, track record, and other data are thoroughly analyzed within multiple systems throughout the investment process.
Essential Functions :
- Assist senior investment staff with all aspects of the due diligence and portfolio monitoring process for the System’s public equity portfolio.
- Develop, enhance, and maintain key internal reporting documents to track portfolio exposures, positioning, characteristics, and performance attribution.
- Evaluate the organizational tenets, investment team, process, performance, and portfolio fit of existing and prospective investment management relationships and asset class structures.
- Support the development of presentation materials and related investment memos to communicate with senior investment department staff and the TRS Board of Trustees.
- Work with senior staff on the rebalancing and cash flow management of the portfolio.
- Assist with contract negotiation and coordination, ongoing performance calculations, fee assessments, and other operational projects. An ability to improve process efficiency is preferred.
- Interact with external investment managers and consultants in supporting the due diligence process, including travel to interview key personnel from current and prospective investment firms as needed.
- Perform other types of analysis as assigned or required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrates analytical and investment research skills
- Develops effective presentation materials for a wide range of audiences
- Coordinates with other related teams including accounting, risk, and quantitative analysis
- Proficiency in relevant software such as BlackRock Aladdin, Bloomberg, and Wilshire Compass
- Maintains a high degree of professionalism in all internal and external interactions
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or related field
- Advanced degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or related field is preferred
- Two or more years of investment experience, ideally focused within public equity is preferred
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation or progress toward earning the CFA charter is preferred
- Experience with programming languages or data visualization software is preferred
- Experience working with public equity portfolio management, due diligence, or assessment of related facets such as performance attribution, risk management, and positioning is preferred
If you thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy collaborating with driven, enthusiastic professionals, you will find a rewarding career with us.
For Illinois job seekers:
Pay Range
Compensation will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of each candidate.
Benefits
TRS is an agency of the State of Illinois. As such, full and part-time employees are eligible for the State of Illinois comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental and vision coverage. All employees participate in the TRS retirement pension plan and have the option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans. The TRS pension plan is a reciprocal system to other state and local pension plans (SERS, SURS, IMRF, etc.)