Contact Information
Investment Consultant – Manager Research 
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Firm and Business
Towers Watson is a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, financial and risk management. With 14,000 associates around the world we offer solutions in the areas of employee benefit programs, talent and reward programs, and risk and capital management.
As companies struggle to improve business performance, they increasingly expect risk management to support broader financial objectives. As a leading investment consultant, with over 130 researchers, we help organizations manage investment complexity, establish risk tolerance and improve governance.
The Global Manager Research Team assists in driving our clients’ decision making around the selection, monitoring and de-selection of investment managers and is a critical element of our Investment Line of Business. We have one of the largest global manager research teams in the industry with almost 100 researchers spread across most major investment regions of the world and following one global, integrated research process. Our analysis is built on a foundation of in-depth research starting with a thorough understanding of the investment philosophy and process applied by the asset manager. Those involved in implementing this process are assessed across a spectrum of qualities which we have found to be consistent with effective asset management. A thorough review of the business is also undertaken to confirm that there are no issues which might impair the ability of talented investment professionals to carry out their responsibilities. Our objective in researching managers is to identify teams capable of executing a sustainable and effective process which exploits a competitive advantage for the benefit of our mutual clients.
Position Description
We currently have an opportunity for an Investment Consultant – Manager Research within our Global Real Estate Research Team. The Investment Consultant will help build the US business model, proactively take ideas to clients, drive research agenda and processes, and produce intellectual capital and market views as necessary.
In this role you will interview some of the most highly respected real estate investment managers in the world, helping to form robust opinions on such areas as investment skill and the ability to meet our clients’ objectives. These views are documented and communicated to clients both directly through face-to-face meetings and via access to our comprehensive database. As a member of the Investment Manager Research team you will liaise with other consultants around the globe while also partnering with other internal businesses to service clients’ complex needs.
Performance Objectives
Excellence
- Meet fund managers to evaluate investment teams, processes and performance
- Produce detailed due diligence reports on closed end real estate funds including; consideration and negotiation of fund terms
- Lead both internal and external research meetings, driving discussions and formulating views on specific managers and products
- Contribute to the development of the research function, improving methods and tools used
- Extract and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data to help drive decision making
- Support colleagues in the provision of first class advice
- Directly contribute to clients’ success through applying technical expertise
- Participate in special projects as needed
- Assist in development and presentation of research findings to the global investment practice
Clients
- Deliver high quality manager research consulting advice to internal/external clients as appropriate
- Contribute to servicing clients primarily through the writing of papers, presentations on specialist topics and managers and assisting consultants in other areas of relevant client work
- Develop trusted advisor relationship through effective communication and efficient, quality execution of projects
- Interface with colleagues from other practices and regions on assignments that reflect the client’s broader business issues
People
- Build relationships with managers, maintain the research database and act as a point of contact to provide information about the managers to members of the global investment practice
- Demonstrate natural ease and effectiveness when dealing with clients/colleagues at all levels
Financial
- Support the generation of new business as part of the broader team
- Thorough understanding of the institutional investment industry and investment research processes
- 5 or more years of progressive real estate fund management or investment research experience, ideally gained in a client-service oriented environment (fund of funds, consulting or portfolio management); experience with real estate managers is required
- Experience with qualitative data collection and assimilation, and its use in forming opinions and provisioning advice
- Comprehensive appreciation of compliance issues and risk controls
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Enquiring and analytically minded with a logical and thorough work ethic
- Flexibility and proven ability to diagnose and resolve issues; strong client service orientation
- Interest and ability to think beyond the task at hand and understand how one’s work fits into the broader landscape
- Excellent Microsoft Office skills
- Ability to grasp issues and offer innovative solutions
- Undergraduate degree required; MBA and relevant professional qualification such as CPA or CFA strongly preferred
- Ability to travel is required
Towers Watson is an EEO/AA Employer, M/F/D/V
