Investment Research VP

Job Description

CAIS is the pioneer in democratizing access to and education about alternative investments for independent financial advisors, empowering them to engage and transact with leading asset managers on a massive scale through a wide variety of alternative investment products and technology solutions. CAIS provides financial advisors with a broad selection of alternative investment strategies, including hedge funds, private equity, private credit, real estate, digital assets, and structured notes. CAIS also delivers industry-leading technology, operational efficiency, and world-class client service throughout the pre-trade, trade, and post-trade experience. CAIS supports over 50,000 advisors who oversee more than $6 trillion in network assets.  

CAIS Advisors is a SEC registered investment advisor that provides, or expects to provide, discretionary advisory services to private funds and registered investment companies, as well offer non-discretionary services for customized alternative investment model portfolios available to financial institutions that access the CAIS Platform. Funds managed by CAIS Advisors will engage in multi-manager fund-of-funds strategies such as private equity, private credit, hedge funds, real assets, and other strategies such as co-investments and secondaries.

CAIS is seeking a Vice President to join the Investments team, responsible for sourcing, reviewing, monitoring, and engaging alternative asset managers and investment strategies, to ensure best in class investment products for our clients. Qualified candidates for the Alternative Investment Manager Research group should have experience within the alternative investments landscape conducting hedge fund and/or private markets research and due diligence with an understanding of the needs of wealth management advisors. Candidates should be passionate about understanding a diverse range of technical investment products and enjoy the manager research and due diligence process. Strong written and verbal communication is imperative, as the role requires constant communication with a wide range of stakeholders.

Primary Objectives

• Contributing member of the CAIS Alternative Investment Manager Research team, with responsibilities throughout the screening, due-diligence, and oversight process
• Evaluate, analyze, and conduct thorough due diligence on private markets opportunities across co-investments, secondary, and primary investments.
• Develop, review, and refine financial models to deliver accurate valuation analyses and provide strategic investment recommendations.
• Actively participate in the entire investment research and modeling process, collaborating closely with CAIS portfolio managers, the investment committee, and the valuation committee from initiation through completion.
• Represent CAIS at general partner annual meetings, building an external presence and gaining insights into market trends and emerging investment opportunities.
• Lead and collaborate with asset class coverage associates to support research, due diligence, and underwriting efforts, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Partner closely with Product Origination to cultivate relationships with sponsors, enhancing the firm’s ability to identify and secure co-investment and other opportunities.
• Act as key team member in sourcing managers, performing initial screening, and drafting of investment committee memos making recommendations for further consideration by senior leadership
• Coordinate and support manager and fund due diligence, through detailed calls and meetings with the portfolio management team, review of all fund documentation, and qualitative and quantitative analysis
• Work closely with the firm’s third-party research partners and resources
• Conduct ongoing oversight of available alternative investment products on the CAIS platform and draft product performance updates
• Help maintain the team’s research database

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in financial markets with experience in alternative investments, including hedge fund and/or private markets strategies
• Broad investment management and financial market knowledge across asset classes
• An understanding of alternatives marketplace and regulatory environment
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and collaboratively to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; detail oriented
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to articulate the benefits of complex investment products
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Business, or Accounting preferred
• Demonstrated progress in CFA, CPA, CAIA, CFP, and/or CIMA strongly preferred
• Series 7 & Series 63 (or Series 66) or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire

CAIS is consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work, and our culture is at the heart of our success. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where employees can be their most authentic selves and feel inspired and supported to bring their voice forward to drive community, growth, and innovation. We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law.  Learn more about our culture, benefits, and people at https://www.caisgroup.com/our-company/careers. 

CAIS’ compensation package includes a market competitive salary, a performance bonus, and exceptional benefits. If you are located in New York, New York, the base salary range for this role is $125,000 – $175,000. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific office location. 

CAIS offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes generously subsidized healthcare with 100% employer paid dental and vision insurance, an employer matched retirement plan, wellness programs, and generous PTO and parental leave. Additionally, CAIS offers a flexible, hybrid in-office model; for most roles, we do not require a minimum number of days in office per week. For more information on our benefits and career opportunities, please visit our website: https://www.caisgroup.com/our-company/careers.