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Senior Investment Professional-Investment Grade Research Team Lead

Nationwide

Nationwide

Columbus, OH, USA
Posted on Jun 27, 2024
As a team member in the Finance and Internal Audit department at Nationwide, the opportunities are endless! You can grow and learn in diverse areas across many disciplines such as Advanced Analytics, Investments, Actuarial, Accounting, Risk Management, Critical Business Advisor and so much more. Let Nationwide help create your career journey! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

This Columbus based hybrid position is a H Band Level Investments Role.

The Investment Grade ResearchTeam Lead will manage a group of 4-6 research analysts, in addition to maintaining direct coverage of select sectors. The role reports directly to the Head of Credit Research. As a leader on the Investment Grade Research team, this role will contribute to the general oversight of the investment grade research process, including driving consistent research standards across the team with a focus on optimizing investment performance relative to our clients’ objectives.

Key responsibilities and qualities for this role include:

  • Drive improvements in all areas of the investment grade credit research process, including in-depth fundamental corporate credit analysis, identifying risk and return drivers, developing and modeling forward-looking scenarios, analyzing relative value, and providing investment recommendations for positioning within the investment grade asset class.

  • Effectively communicate and collaborate with the Head of Credit Research, Portfolio Management, and the Trading function to drive consistency, efficiency, and quality in the investment decision-making process.

  • Provide insights into the Credit team’s strategic direction, including evaluating changes in the economic, regulatory, legislative, and competitive business environments that are having or may have an impact on investment fundamentals, valuations, and positioning within client portfolios.

  • A strong, driven leader who excels at team engagement and development.

The Investment Grade Team Lead is also expected to maintain direct coverage and responsibility of selected investment grade sectors, including incorporating the same Research standards for credit analysis, timely communication of investment recommendations, and maintaining relationships with company management teams, rating agencies, sell-side firms, and other external vendors.

Job Description Summary

Nationwide Investments employs a research-driven, team-oriented, and results-focused investment process to manage our clients’ portfolios. Credit Research is one of three critical functions in the investment process, along with Portfolio Management and Trading. As a Senior Investment Professional on our Investment Grade Credit Research team, you will be responsible for identifying, analyzing, and recommending investments within the Investment Grade corporate bond market. As a senior leader, responsibilities will include contributing to the evolution of our investment process, demonstrating superior investment acumen, providing insights into the broader Public Corporate investment strategy, and may include people leader responsibilities.

As a potential people leader, you may also be responsible for the overall performance of the team, as well as management of individual associates. We value our associates by providing a collaborative environment, setting clear expectations, and providing the necessary feedback to develop and motivate associates to perform at a high level. Focus is on development of associate technical and behavioral skills, innovation and career development.
(May be an individual contributor recognized at the highest level of technical expertise)

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

  • Independently completes research and analysis of the most complex issuers and is a leader in the development the team's overall investment strategy.

  • Contributes to enhancement of the team's investment processes and standards with a focus on optimizing performance relative to clients' investment objectives; this may include mentoring and development of less experienced associates.

  • Identifies innovative solutions and makes decisions that directly impacts investment performance and the decision-making process.

  • Identifies risk and return drivers, develops and models forward-looking scenarios, analyzes relative value, and provides investment recommendations for positioning within assigned sectors.

  • Communicates analysis and investment theses through use of written reports, presentations, conversations, and market meetings.

  • Evaluates changes in the economic, regulatory, legislative, and competitive business environments that impact investment fundamentals, valuations, and positioning within client portfolios.

  • Builds relationships with internal and external partners to facilitate the analysis of investment opportunities.

  • Collaborates successfully with other Nationwide Investment groups to advance our clients’ best interests.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Head of Credit Research. May lead a team of Investment Analysts/Professionals.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree; MBA, MS or MA in business administration, economics, finance, or CFA preferred.

Experience: 8 to 12 years of related investment experience.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

  • Conversant in major fixed income and equity valuation methodologies

  • Considered an expert Investment Grade Credit Researcher

  • Proficient in Excel; prior Bloomberg experience is a plus

  • Leadership potential or currently capable of being a team leader

  • Advanced understanding of Credit Research tools and processes

  • Demonstrates presence with excellent verbal and written communication

  • Organized, detailed, and process oriented.

  • Analytical and problem-solving capabilities

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Well-developed negotiating skills

  • Positive, hardworking, pro-active, and professional

  • Highly collaborative and team oriented

  • Critical and creative thinker willing to express opinions and views

  • Decisive with strong judgment

  • Capable of working independently

  • Responsive, reliable, and timely

  • Handles pressure well and capable of managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously

  • Ability to successfully coordinate and work across multiple groups

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and HR Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Some travel may be required.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

Credit Check: Due to the fiduciary accountabilities within this job, a valid credit check and/or background check will be required as part of the selection process.

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Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.