Please note that this position is open until filled. Candidates for this role are being reviewed as they apply.

The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois, with $65.2 billion in assets, is searching for a Risk & Compliance Analyst to join this statewide, public retirement system. TRS is one of the 30 largest public pension plans in the country. The System provides benefits to teachers employed by all Illinois public, common, and charter school districts located outside the city of Chicago. The Illinois Pension Code contains the laws relating to our creation, benefits, and administration.

Working for the Teachers’ Retirement System is a fantastic opportunity for an investment professional looking to make a significant, positive difference in the lives of others by building a secure future for the teachers of Illinois. We take great pride in knowing that all the work we do is for the benefit of our membership.

Position Overview

TRS is seeking to add an analyst to our risk team in the Investments Department.  This position will support the Senior Risk Officer and will be primarily responsible for the risk and compliance functions of the entire retirement plan including both public and private portfolios.  Among other duties, the incumbent will conduct investment risk assessments, risk modeling support, scenario analysis, compliance testing, and other investment processing duties.  The analyst will support comprehensive assessment and ongoing monitoring of the risk and compliance of all investment activities in the portfolio. This position would work with one of the following asset classes: public equity, private equity, income, diversifying strategies, and other more specialized asset classes as needed

Key Responsibilities

• Analysis of portfolio structure and sources of risk against benchmarks
• Conduct market research; collect, analyze, and summarize data
• Collaborate to perform data collection and analysis of prospective investments
• Develops understanding of risk management approaches of external portfolio managers
• Performs attribution analysis of portfolio risk and returns and compares to active risk sources
• Supports risk modeling within alternative or private asset portfolios
• Monitors portfolio positions, holdings as well as exposure to market, credit, and liquidity risks.
• Maintain and monitor the investment manager hiring checklist.  Assist with the ongoing compliance of investment manager agreements.
• Assist in developing processes to ensure compliance with applicable statutes, investment policies, and vendor contracts, including consultant contracts and investment manager agreements.
• Maintain awareness of current and potential legislation affecting the Investment Department.
• Research best practices and participate in educational opportunities involving compliance matters.
• Special Risk or Compliance related research projects
• Maintains proficiency with key software tools including: Aladdin or other Risk Analytics tool; third party data sources, CRM system, and other necessary technology platforms.

Minimum Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Business or Accounting related fields
• 1 year of related work experience (including internships)

Additional Qualifications

• Understanding of portfolio management, risk analytics, and compliance controls
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, sound business judgement to identify issues, and present creative and practical solutions
• Inquisitive and research driven approach
• Ability to engage and advise senior management
• Ability to develop reports and presentations in user friendly format
• Analytical tool proficiency and routine risk report production

• Knowledge of investment products, strategies, and markets
• Strong aptitude for quantitative research, risk measurement, and governance
• Understanding of investment compliance and controls

Benefits

• State health, dental, life, and vision insurance
• 12 vacation, 12 sick, and 3 personal time days of compensated time
• Teachers’ Retirement System pension
• Deferred compensation plan

TRS is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

If you require a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) throughout the recruitment process, please reach out to us at the following email: Careers@trsil.org.