Equity Research Associate - Washington Policy; Virginia

Job Description Summary

Support Washington Policy Senior Analyst in preparing written research related to regulations, legislative policy proposals, and geopolitical/macroeconomic developments and their potential impact on the financial markets. While the team covers all public policy areas except for healthcare, this role will focus on macroeconomic policy issues across both the domestic and international stage, with specific attention paid to geopolitics, defense, trade, supply chains, energy and more.

Under general supervision of a Senior Policy Analyst, analyze and interpret policy data, conduct research, and provide analysis on issues that may impact investment decisions. Conduct research studies of existing and potential regulations as well as legislative actions impacting the economy and extrapolate their potential effects on the equity markets. Identify and investigate pertinent factors influencing investment decisions, as well as quantify and interpret potential risks and rewards.

The ideal candidate is client‑service oriented, detail‑oriented, and thrives in a team‑driven and fast‑paced environment. This role does not attempt to influence public policy to achieve any desired outcomes.

• Use policy expertise to enable analysis of key themes and trends using primary data sources and business intelligence tools.
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn about all areas of the policy landscape and to gain/show deep expertise in areas including geopolitics, defense, trade, supply chains, energy and more.
• Understand the legislative and regulatory process, connect with stakeholders, and assess the relevance of news and other available data.
• Perform qualitative analysis of the effects that public policy could have on the overall U.S. economy and equity markets.
• Possess an understanding of international public policy debates, dynamics, and geopolitical trends.
• Understand the political environment and its potential impact on policy debates.
• Prepare written reports detailing and explaining the ramifications and likelihood of policy changes.
• Proactively seek out information regarding potential policy decisions.
• Build effective working relationships within the internal client organization, delivering high‑quality professional services with guidance from senior colleagues.
• Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation, where relevant, to improve performance and fulfill personal potential.
• Maintain an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, conferences, and reading specialist media.

• Work with general supervision on analyzing data trends for use in reports to help guide decision making.
• Use clear and effective verbal communication skills when required to express ideas, request actions, or explain complex recommendations.
• Communicate with internal and external clients in a clear, concise and compelling manner.
• Create relevant, lucid and effective investment reports.
• Independently support business processes with comprehensive understanding and effective use of standard office equipment and standard software packages, while also providing guidance and training to others.
• Understand how to set aside personal public policy and political views to independently and dispassionately assess the implications of specific policy decisions.

• 1‑3 years of public policy experience, to include executive branch, legislative branch, industry, or relevant trade associations.
• Understanding of related policy debates.
• Strong writing skills and an understanding of the legislative and regulatory process to produce reports in a concise and timely manner.
• PC skills sufficient to create documents, detailed spreadsheets, presentations and emails.
• Communication skills sufficient to effectively summarize, explain and field questions about specific news and policies, and the potential effect on the markets.
• Organizational skills sufficient to perform duties with frequent…