Why this role is important to us
The role resides with our Investment Strategy and Research team, which is a …
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kauffman Foundation is among the largest foundations in the United States with an asset base of approximately $2 billion.
The Foundation’s vision is to foster "a society of economically independent individuals who are engaged citizens, contributing to the improvement of their communities." In service of this vision, we focus our grant making and operations on two areas—education and entrepreneurship—which our founder, Ewing Kauffman, saw as two ends of a continuum. A quality education is the foundation for self-sufficiency, preparing young people for success in college and in life. Many young adults will work in businesses started by entrepreneurs. Some will become entrepreneurs themselves, providing jobs and wealth for society.
Our mission:
To help individuals attain economic independence by advancing educational achievement and entrepreneurial success, consistent with the aspirations of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman.
The Investment Director, reporting to the Chief Investment Officer, has a leadership role on the Investment Team. The Investment Team's goal is to grow the Foundation’s endowment, so money is available for grants and operations, now and in the future. The team develops strategies for allocating capital across a wide range of asset categories and manages a roster of external investment firms that implement specific strategies on our behalf.
The Investment Director has a key role in developing asset allocation strategies as well as selecting and monitoring external investment accounts and partnerships. The Investment Director will collaborate across departments, working closely with other Foundation associates including finance staff and legal counsel.
Specific responsibilities include:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education: An MBA or master’s degree in a related field or a CFA charter preferred.
Work Experience: Minimum of seven years practical experience in an investment-related field.
Travel: This position may require up to 25% business travel.
Qualified candidates for this position must be highly motivated, capable of self-directed work, detail-oriented and able to work collaboratively across teams and departments. Candidates must exhibit a keen sense of responsibility and enjoy working with multiple demands, shifting priorities and constant change.
A successful candidate profile:
All of the statements in this position description are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. This document describes the position currently available. The organization reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.
Resumes and cover letters should be submitted in this fashion, please. (last name, first name, resume OR last name, first name, cover letter).
The Foundation’s vision is to foster "a society of economically independent individuals who are engaged citizens, contributing to the improvement of their communities." In service of this vision, we focus our grant making and operations on two areas—education and entrepreneurship—which our founder, Ewing Kauffman, saw as two ends of a continuum. A quality education is the foundation for self-sufficiency, preparing young people for success in college and in life. Many young adults will work in businesses started by entrepreneurs. Some will become entrepreneurs themselves, providing jobs and wealth for society.
Our mission:
To help individuals attain economic independence by advancing educational achievement and entrepreneurial success, consistent with the aspirations of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Investment Director, reporting to the Chief Investment Officer, has a leadership role on the Investment Team. The Investment Team's goal is to grow the Foundation’s endowment, so money is available for grants and operations, now and in the future. The team develops strategies for allocating capital across a wide range of asset categories and manages a roster of external investment firms that implement specific strategies on our behalf.
The Investment Director has a key role in developing asset allocation strategies as well as selecting and monitoring external investment accounts and partnerships. The Investment Director will collaborate across departments, working closely with other Foundation associates including finance staff and legal counsel.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic vision and insight that contributes to portfolio returns and the management of risk
- Developing recommendations, reports and presentations for the Chief Investment Officer and the Investment Committee of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis of market opportunities and risks, economic variables, manager portfolios, and performance
- Evaluation of external investment management organizations including an assessment of staff and resources, investment philosophy and process, compensation structures, operations and control procedures
- Ongoing due diligence and monitoring of investments including the validation of asset ownership and valuation, and identification of material changes in organizations or markets that potentially affect the Foundation’s assets
- Reviewing legal documents (in conjunction with legal counsel), financial statements, and manager reports
- Pitching in on administrative activities including the organization of electronic files and documentation, coordination and tracking of cash flows, the establishment of new accounts, management of vendor relationships, etc.
- Helping to design and implement efficient systems that exploit technology to enhance productivity and data-driven decision making
- Managing and developing other associates
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education: An MBA or master’s degree in a related field or a CFA charter preferred.
Work Experience: Minimum of seven years practical experience in an investment-related field.
Travel: This position may require up to 25% business travel.
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified candidates for this position must be highly motivated, capable of self-directed work, detail-oriented and able to work collaboratively across teams and departments. Candidates must exhibit a keen sense of responsibility and enjoy working with multiple demands, shifting priorities and constant change.
A successful candidate profile:
- Experience with asset allocation and manager selection in a multi-manager portfolio context
- Experience investing in managers across an array of asset classes including public and private equity and hedge funds
- Personal integrity and dedication to ethical conduct
- Team player mentality and strong interpersonal skills
- Tenacious work ethic, reliability, and sense of urgency as appropriate; dedication to meeting deadlines, often with time to spare
- Keen intellectual curiosity and appreciation for the process of research and serendipitous learning
- Ability to read and understand audited financial statements
- Ability to read and understand legal documents (in conjunction with legal counsel)
- Exceptional analytical skills
- Easy facility with performance measurement, complex financial models and computational tools
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills
- Ability to balance independence and self-sufficiency with effective team communication and assimilation of assigned priorities and group goals
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Committed to the values of the Foundation
- Able to develop a solid understanding of the Foundation’s activities and overall objectives in order to act as an ambassador of the Foundation
All of the statements in this position description are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. This document describes the position currently available. The organization reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.
COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package, including base salary and an outstanding benefits package will correspond to the experience level, credentials, and skills of the candidate.NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Kauffman Foundation firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal, state or local law.TO APPLY
Interested applicants can apply for this position by submitting a cover letter and resume at this link.Resumes and cover letters should be submitted in this fashion, please. (last name, first name, resume OR last name, first name, cover letter).
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