DESCRIPTION 
The Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) is now accepting on-line applications for the Director of Investments recruitment. This recruitment is open to the public and will remain open until the Director of Investments vacancy is filled. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until the needs of OCERS have been met. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

WHO ARE WE
Established in 1945, the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) provides retirement, death, disability, and cost-of-living benefits to retirees of the County of Orange and certain County districts. Serving approximately 48,000 members, OCERS is governed by a ten-member Board of Retirement that is responsible for managing a $21 billion dollar fund. For more information about OCERS, please click here.
 
Mission  
OCERS' mission is to provide secure retirement and disability benefits with the highest standards of excellence.
 
Vision
OCERS' vision is to be a trusted partner providing premier pension administration, distinguished by consistent, quality member experiences and prudent financial stewardship.

Values

• Open and Transparent
• Commitment to Superior Service
• Engaged and Dedicated Workforce
• Reliable and Accurate
• Secure and Sustainable

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Director of Investments position will report directly to the Chief Investment Officer (CIO). This position is responsible for assisting/supporting the CIO in all duties related to the investment of the portfolio, including but not limited to portfolio strategy, manager due diligence, and internal/external communications and reporting. This position is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, Participating Employer focus, and system efficiency. The Director of Investments is responsible for the operational infrastructure of the plan in accordance with the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and the Board of Retirement's directives. The Director of Investments will lead the operational implementation of OCERS' investment program strategic vision.
 
Supervision Exercised  
In cooperation with the Chief Investment Officer, the Director of Investments will take a leading role in the following performance attributes including but not limited to:

•  Investment portfolio strategy and construction;
•  Investment manager due diligence and selection;
•  Risk management analytics and reporting;
•  Investment Committee communications and education;
•  Investment policies, procedures, and compliance;
•  Personnel management and talent development;
•  Internal/external communications; and
•  Professional network building and continued education.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and/or Experience 
Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
                                                                               AND
Minimum of seven years of progressive work experience with an institutional asset management firm, pension plan, foundation, or endowment.
Preferred:
Significant experience with private equity and other private capital/alternative investments.
                                                                                 OR
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.
Special Notes, Licenses, or Requirements:
 Highly Desirable: 

• Master's Degree in Business Administration or related field;
• Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) certification;
• Professional licensure as an investment principal or equivalent;
• Prior public pension experience or equivalent experience with an institutional investor of comparable complexity;
• A valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel;
• May be required to use personal vehicle; and
• A complete background investigation is required; a felony or misdemeanor conviction may be cause for disqualification.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:  
The following lists the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge of: 

• Investment concepts, terminology, styles, models, and strategies, including portfolio theory, asset allocation, performance measurement, and a solid understanding of capital markets;
• Economic indicators and theories and market conditions and trends and their effect on short and long-term investment programs and strategies;
• Principles and practices of institutional investment management;
• Investment management due diligence procedures and practices;
• Statistical and analytical techniques/programs applicable to evaluating investment managers and portfolios;
• Sound knowledge of compliance risks and audit issues relevant to OCERS;
• Risk monitoring and management methods and techniques;
• Custodial operations, cash controls, and operational processes required by a public pension plan or other complex institutional investors;
• Methods to analyze the quality, accuracy, and reliability of manager and consultant reports and the application of such data;
• Applicable investment laws, rules, regulations, compliance considerations, and professional standards;
• Fiscal, actuarial, budgetary, and cost projection principles and procedures pertaining to retirement system funding;
• Peer networks within the pension or broader institutional investment community, including the available field of outside investment managers and consultants; and
• Performance evaluation and talent management techniques as it pertains to mentoring and developing a high-performing, engaged internal staff.

Skills/Ability to: 

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with members of the Board of Retirement, OCERS' management and professional staff, and consultants;
• Evaluate the overall performance of the external investment managers and consultants and recommend changes when necessary;
• Coordinate internal staff activity, as assigned, directed or guided by the CIO;
• Understand and interpret laws, rules, and regulations governing the investment of public funds;
• Analyze current economic, financial, and market trends worldwide on an ongoing basis;
• Manage quantitative research projects and evaluate risk models;
• Evaluate and negotiate investment manager contracts including liquidity terms, fee structures, and other OCERS' requirements;
• Evaluate complex investment transactions;
• Interact with external service providers such as actuarial and investment consultants, legal counsel, custodians, and money managers;
• Prepare comprehensive correspondence, reports, and budget documents for the CIO and the Board of Retirement, executive staff, and managers and present orally and in writing.
• Exhibit exemplary interpersonal skills and exercise sound judgment and professionalism in business matters;
• Understand and assess the quality, accuracy, and reliability of manager and consultant reports;
• Communicate in English clearly, concisely, and effectively both orally and in writing;
• Perform job functions independently and in an ethical and objective manner;
• Use computer software to compose spreadsheets, graphs, flowcharts, calculations, and time reports, etc; and
• Establish written internal operating procedures and systems that assure knowledge transfer, institutional memory, and sufficiency of training materials.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, and ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
 
Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person, over the telephone, and in small groups;
• Manual dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a telephone, keyboard, write, and use a calculator;
• Mental stamina to interact professionally with members of the Board of Retirement, Participating Employers, peers, and consultants;
• Vision sufficient to read fine print and a computer monitor;
• Independent body mobility, agility, and stamina to stand, walk, stoop, bend, and twist, to access a standard office environment;
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time; and
• Body strength sufficient to lift up to 15 pounds and carry files.

Environmental Conditions:

• The primary work place is in an office environment, working with standard office equipment;
• Peripheral office equipment generates a quiet to moderate noise level;
• Operates in an environment that includes elected officials, non-elected officials, government agencies, community interest groups, and the general public in the development and coordination of OCERS affairs; and
• Out of area travel may be required to attend professional conferences, due diligence, and meetings.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be determined based on the experience level, credentials, and personal characteristics of the candidate. OCERS' team member benefits program will be offered to the successful candidate. The competitive benefits package includes retirement and deferred compensation programs; health, dental, life, and disability insurance; professional organization memberships and tuition reimbursement up to $10,000 maximum annually; a taxable optional benefit plan; and annual leave.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. Only on-line
applications with completed supplemental questions will be accepted. For additional information or
to apply, you may visit the OCERS website at: https://www.ocers.org/careers-ocers.

OCERS, as an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.