National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society invests in a diverse, global community of National Geographic Explorers who are leading a new age of exploration in support of our mission: to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world through science, exploration, education, and storytelling. These bold individuals represent more than 140 countries and their vast array of backgrounds, perspectives, and fields bring us to the far reaches of the globe. The Investment Office team oversees the Society’s $1.3 billion endowment in support of the Society’s grant making efforts in science, conservation and technology. The newly established Investment Office will be a fast-paced environment dedicated to building a well-diversified portfolio of best-in-class investment managers to support the Society’s mission for many years to come.

All employees are expected to maintain the Investment Office’s reputation for professional excellence and credibility both inside the organization and throughout the investment management community.

The Investments Associate will be a member of the endowment’s investment team, reporting directly to the Chief Investment Officer. The successful candidate will assist with the sourcing, screening, analysis, due diligence, and oversight of the investment managers in the endowment’s global portfolio. The endowment portfolio target asset allocation is 70% global equities (public and private) and 30% diversifying asset including absolute return, real assets, and fixed income. This position will be an integral part of the Society’s small collaborative investment team. Like everyone on the endowment team, the Associate will be a generalist and will be encouraged to source ideas and work collaboratively across all asset classes in the portfolio.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

- (75%) The principal duties and responsibilities of the Investment Office Associate will be to assist with ongoing sourcing, due diligence, selection, monitoring, and relationship development related to both existing and prospective investment managers in a variety of asset classes. This is a generalist team structure, and manager relationships can include those in private and public equity, venture capital, absolute return/hedge fund strategies, credit, renewables, and real estate. The portfolio strategy is relationship-driven and bottom-up. As such, successful candidates will demonstrate a strong curiosity about a wide variety of investments, and in making comparisons across diverse opportunities. The portfolio is concentrated and has low turnover. As such, successful candidates will demonstrate a strong interest in spending time on the current portfolio and will exhibit a long-term mentality.
  - Assist with ongoing monitoring of the Society’s existing investment managers including participating in manager calls, attending annual meetings, review of monthly & quarterly reports and updating findings to our internal manager database.
  - Develop and maintain a broad network of peers in the investment community in order to exchange ideas and stay abreast of emerging trends.
  - Leverage personal network and conduct primary research to source investment ideas.
  - Screen prospective investment opportunities and support due diligence by evaluating strategy, analyzing performance and preparing recommendation memos.
  - Monitor capital markets and provide research, intelligence, well written reports, and opinions about market trends to the investment team.
  - Perform ad hoc research on investment related topics or markets, as needed.
  - (20%) Support the CIO and Investment Directors with modeling and analysis of portfolio performance and risk and assisting in the preparation of materials for the Society’s Investment Committee, Board of Trustees, and other high-level audiences on a variety of topics. As needed, train and supervise investment office interns or less experienced staff.
  - (5%) Performs other projects/responsibilities as requested.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Minimum Years And Type Of Experience

Necessary Knowledge And Skills

- - Strong communication and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with all constituencies, including Investment Committee members, sophisticated investment professionals, and a broad array of other internal constituents.
  - Strong quantitative, analytical, financial modeling, and organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
  - Ability to incorporate rigorous qualitative and quantitative analyses in the evaluation of investment strategies, human and organizational dynamics, investment processes and investment performance.
  - A broad understanding of portfolio theory, asset allocation, portfolio construction, and economics.
  - Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  - Proven ability to network extensively in the financial community to source investment opportunities.

Desired Qualifications

- - Curious, proactive mindset with an evident passion for investing.
  - Willingness to work in ambiguity and adapt to changing and competing priorities
  - Team-oriented and willing to roll up their sleeves to contribute to the group’s common objectives.
  - Have the highest standards of personal and professional ethics and integrity.
  - Must be enthusiastic about being part of the Society and contributing to its important mission.
  - Have a strong sense of humility, creativity, curiosity, generosity, humor, empathy, willingness to listen and a respect for diversity.
  - Willingness and ability to travel domestically and abroad.

Supervision

Salary Information

The salary range for this position starts at $120,000.

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VC Associate @ National Geographic in Washington DC