VC Analyst @ Manulife in Boston, MA

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Hancock Natural Resource Group (HNRG) founded in 1985, is a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock/Manulife Financial Corporation. HNRG is based in Boston, Massachusetts and is comprised of two core businesses; Hancock Timber Resource Group (HTRG) which develops and manages timberland investments and Hancock Agricultural Investment Group (HAIG) which develops and manages farmland investments. As of December 31, 2018, HNRG managed $13.3 billion of timberland and farmland, compromising over 6.0 million acres located in the United States, Canada, and Australia. HNRG is committed to socially responsible investing and sustainable management of its client’s assets, including the ongoing reduction of environmental impact, and improvement of sustainability and stewardship performance.

The Investment Analyst will be an integral part of a team of investment professionals managing $4.0 billion in private equity investments and commitments in agricultural real estate globally for the Hancock Natural Resource Group under the Hancock Agriculture division (HAIG). HAIG is an operating division of the Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc., an independent and wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation. The position reports to the Director of Resource Planning and Analysis for the Agriculture division.

The Investment Analyst (“Analyst”) will work in the Resource Planning and Analysis Group and be primarily responsible for providing resource analysis and valuation support to the HAIG underwriting process for agricultural investments. The Analyst’s primary areas of focus will be to maintain the valuation models to support the underwriting process, including updates to modelling assumptions, development of the investment memos and recommendations for the investment committees. The Analyst will interact regularly with the Acquisition and Research teams to ensure that all appropriate inputs are factored in the models, and will also interact with the Institutional Business (IB) team to be aware of any investor issues or constraints. From time to time, the position may also support the research and the Institutional Business (IB) on special projects as needed.

Specific Responsibilities

• The investment analyst will be responsible for timely and accurate development of operating models of investment opportunities using HAIG modelling templates based on the discounted cash flow method.
• Point person for the agricultural modelling platform to ensure assumptions and methodologies are applied consistently across geographies and agricultural sectors to support our growth strategy and ensure valuation findings are being delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Ensure underwriting process efficiencies by working closely with the Acquisitions, Institutional Business and Research teams. Develop strong working relationships with all relevant HNRG parties. This role will interact closely with HAIG’s acquisition and portfolio managers along with the HNRG Research and HFS’ Operations teams.
• The primary focus is on major permanent and row crops in the US, Canada, Australasia and South America.
• Support the development of investment opportunity reports and relevant presentation material for HNRG’s investment committee approval process.
• Review selective third-party appraisals of farmland properties.
• At times, assist in property parcelization process working with IB regarding client objectives and constraints.
• Seek ways to improve underwriting processes and valuation capabilities.
• Monitor latest developments in agricultural markets and farm budgets relevant to properties in the portfolio.

Requirements – Knowledge/Skills/Competencies/Education

• Bachelor’s Degree with a major in business, finance, economics or accounting, an MBA, CFA or CAIA is a plus
• General knowledge of investment management and alternative asset classes, specifically real assets with a minimum of two years of experience in agricultural investments.
• A firm grasp of investment strategy and financial analysis with genuine interest in agriculture / real assets highly desirable.
• Effective team player with excellent organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines, work collaboratively and have strong communication skills.
• Strong ability to interact and build relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization and with external parties.
• Excellent working knowledge and practical application of financial principles, policies, procedures and accounting, including strong Excel skills.
• Mature and willing to approach problem solving with openness and willingness to understand others’ perspectives with the goal of working towards a workable solution.
• High degree of self-motivation and professionalism and work as a team player.
• Excellent ability to present analyses in a clear and concise manner (verbal and written)
• Organizational and project management skills commensurate with prioritizing, managing and completing multiple projects and deadlines concurrently.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and with dispersed teams across multiple geographies and time zones.
• Willing to travel up to 15% of the time.

Hancock Natural Resource Group (HNRG) is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. The Company is committed to employ, train, promote and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and ability without regard to race, color, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran or marital status.

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, as well as wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2018, we had more than 34,000 employees, over 82,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving almost 28 million customers. As of June 30, 2019, we had over $1.1 trillion (US$877 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $29.4 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States are where we have served customers for more than 100 years. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under ‘945’ in Hong Kong.

Manulife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention and advancement and we administer all of our practices and programs based on qualification and performance and without discrimination on any protected ground. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will consult with applicants contacted to participate at any stage of the recruitment process who request any accommodation. Information received regarding the accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

If interested, please apply here.

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