Research Analyst - Global Growth (Financials)

William Blair Investment Management is a premier global investment management boutique, with a sole focus on active management across equity, fixed income, currency and multi-asset strategies.  We are committed to building enduring relationships with our clients and providing expertise and solutions to meet their evolving needs. We work closely with the most sophisticated investors globally across institutional and intermediary channels, including consultants, private and public pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, and financial advisors. We are a U.N.-Supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Signatory, Tier-1 U.K. Stewardship Signatory, Investor Stewardship Group Member (Framework for U.S. Stewardship and Governance), and Signatory to the Japan and Korea Stewardship Codes.  We are based in Chicago with resources in New York, London, Zurich, Sydney, Stockholm, The Hague, and Singapore, and dedicated coverage for Canada. 

William Blair’s buy-side global research team is responsible for identifying quality growth companies that will generate above average results for clients over time with generally less risk than the market. They identify these companies through a combination of rigorous fundamental research and systematic inputs, following a disciplined process that emphasizes team collaboration.

The Research Analyst is an experienced investor/analyst with a proven track record of alpha generation, as well as people and thought leadership. They will serve as team leader for the Financials Research Team within our Global Investment Team. The qualified candidate will be an internally and externally recognized fundamental research expert in analyzing growth companies and formulating investment ideas on global large cap companies in the Financial sector. This individual will collaborate with portfolio managers to identify and define research goals and objectives related to the sector and conceptualize and lead research studies and the interpretation of company and industry data to recommend new investment ideas that are suitable for clients and generate capital gains for institutional portfolios.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Guide the analysis and interpretation of growth company and sector data to assess short- and long-term opportunities for portfolio investment. Conceptualize investment ideas and develop analyses to advance strategies within the sector. Present findings to portfolio managers and clients to convey insights on trends and conditions that may affect investment strategies and performance. Aid portfolio managers in the formulation and testing of investment ideas and strategies.
• Provide investment teams, clients, and prospects with education on and rationale for research findings and recommendations.
• Oversee the creation of research reports, presentations, educational materials, commentaries, etc. for portfolio managers, clients, and prospects. Provide specific research subject matter expertise for sales and marketing efforts.
• Cultivate relationships with company management, industry contacts and research vendors (brokers and analysts) to advance William Blair’s brand and research capabilities. Represent William Blair and serve as a recognized sector expert at industry events, media interviews and investment meetings.
• Lead the creation of tools and standards for conducting fundamental research studies and ensure alignment with best practices.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to other team members, sharing expertise and leading others in economic research activities.
• Ensure all work activities are in compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Additional responsibilities as requested.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with significant experience in the Financial sector required; MBA preferred.
• CFA, CPA, or technical designation preferred.
• 10+ years of related investment research experience required.
• Proven track record of alpha generation as well people and thought leadership.
• Must be comfortable being uncomfortable and embracing dynamism and change.
• Must have demonstrable intellectual curiosity and an industry network.
• Must want to and have been successful in the past leading people.
• Expert conceptual and critical thinking skills.
• Strong accounting and financial statement analysis skills.
• Ability to build complex computer-generated financial models.
• Expert written and verbal communications skills, and the ability to convey complex financial information in an understandable manner to various audiences.
• Client service oriented.
• Ability to work independently in support of team goals.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Bloomberg, and other investment industry standard data sources.

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