Investment Lead Associate

As a member of dedicated client teams, you will work closely with the lead consultant in providing a variety of high-quality services to defined contribution and defined benefit plan sponsor clients and their various sub committees. These services include: strategic setting of investment objectives, strategic asset allocation, investment management structures, manager selection, performance measurement and evaluation, investment manager monitoring, custodian selection, transition advice, statements of investment policy and global research services.

You will liaise closely with clients, fund managers and other areas of the firm and take responsibility for the day-to-day management of client relationships (supported by other consultants and investment analysts as appropriate). You will also have involvement with technical working parties and support the provision of training to junior team members.

• Develop a trusted advisor relationship with client contacts through effective communication and efficient, quality execution of projects
• Manage client expectations and raise appropriate issues to Senior Consultants and Client Relationships Managers
• Deliver superior, consistent project management for assigned clients
• Draft client deliverables including investment and plan performance reports, capital markets updates, manager recommendations, plan and fee benchmarking, and legislative, judicial, and regulatory briefs
• Attend regular client investment committee meetings and support the senior consultants in the delivery of WTW's investment consulting services
• Serve as the day-to-day project lead, ensuring the progress of the team against established objectives, budgets, timeline, deliverables and quality standards
• Interface with colleagues from other practices and regions on assignments that reflect the client's broader business issues
• Provide a wide range of services to trustees, investment sub-committees and corporate sponsors

• Support Senior Consultants in the provision of first class advice and guidance related to their retirement plan strategy including the selection, implementation and monitoring of investment strategies, plan design, employee engagement and vendor
• Perform technical check of work
• Directly contribute to clients’ success through applying your technical expertise
• Participate in special projects as needed
• Contribute to the development of new tools and approaches

• Meet revenue and billable hour goals as described by manager
• Support the generation of new business as part of the broader team

• Build relationships internally and collaborate effectively on cross-functional teams
• Demonstrate natural ease and effectiveness when dealing with clients/colleagues at all levels
• Serve as mentor to project team associates

Note that visa employment-based non-immigrant visa sponsorship and/or assistance is not offered for this specific job opportunity.

• Undergraduate degree along with progress towards relevant professional qualifications such as CFA, AIF, CRPS, CIMA, etc.
• 5 or more years of progressive investment experience, ideally gained in a client-service oriented environment (consulting, investment management or portfolio management).
• Relevant experience with corporate retirement plans including 401(k), 403(b), and Deferred Compensation and Non-Qualified Plans
• Insight into practical issues of investment management organizations (investment process, organizational structure and people, marketing, business management and strategy)
• Commanding knowledge and commercial awareness of financial markets and institutional investing
• Proven experience successfully managing multiple projects and producing quality deliverables on time and within budget
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external constituencies
• Experience in a client-service environment; demonstrated ability to understand the needs of a client and translate into action
• Team player comfortable in a professional services environment with the ability to effectively debate and subsequently influence internally & externally at all levels
• Inquiring and…