Structured Finance Research Analyst (Private and Public Markets) - Hybrid

Symetra Investment Management has an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Structured Finance Research Analyst!

About The Role

This role supports the growth of Symetra Investment Management’s (“SIM”) portfolios and focuses on structured credit research in private and public Asset-Backed Securities (ABS). The multi-billion ABS portfolios consist of different asset classes, including consumer, data centers, aircraft, and other esoteric sectors, structures, and markets (private and public). Primary responsibilities will include conducting independent research on new potential investments, surveillance of Symetra’s structured securities portfolios, and portfolio analytics. The candidate will also communicate market color and insight to the broader investment team. Working in a highly collaborative environment, the candidate will work directly with Symetra’s portfolio managers, traders, and other research analysts, and will interact regularly with members of the Symetra investment department.

Company Overview

Symetra Investment Management (“SIM”) is a SEC-registered investment advisory firm with approximately $75 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2023. Symetra Financial Corporation (“SFC”), a diversified financial services company with $59 billion in assets as of December 31, 2022, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington is the sole shareholder of SIM. SFC is also the holding company of Symetra Life Insurance Company (“Symetra Life”), which was founded in 1957, and has insurer financial strength ratings of ‘A’ by A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s and ‘A1’ by Moody’s. Symetra Life is among the top 40 largest life insurance companies in the United States (based on statutory admitted assets as of December 31, 2022) and has approximately 1.7 million customers and over 2,200 employees nationwide. SFC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company, a mutual life insurance company with head offices in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1907, Sumitomo is one of the largest life insurance companies in Japan with $319 billion of assets as of March 31, 2023. SIM has recently begun marketing its investment management services to third-party institutional investors.

Responsibilities

• Structured Credit Research: Analysis, monitoring, and trading of private and public ABS. Conduct independent credit research on potential structured finance investments for Symetra’s portfolio
• Follow market and sector developments to develop better understanding of individual credits and broader sector trends
• Participate in investor presentation meetings with issuer management
• Contribute to credit and portfolio discussions with senior team members. Assist with preparation of investment memoranda and related materials.

• Portfolio Surveillance: Support, maintain, and improve the analytical and monitoring efforts of Symetra’s diverse public and private ABS portfolio
• Track, analyze and monitor existing investments by periodically reviewing company and sector news and transaction reports
• Conduct monitoring and surveillance of one or more of the structured finance subsectors managed by external advisors
• Develop and maintain cashflow models for ongoing scenario analysis.

• Portfolio Analysis: Partner with our other analysts to run production analytics on our existing general account asset portfolio
• Produce reports summarizing key findings and portfolio attributes
• Perform ad-hoc analyses as required
• Identify, communicate, and implement improvements to overall analytics with a focus on automation.
  
  

Education, Skills And Abilities Required

• A Bachelor's level degree in finance, economics, accounting, mathematics or relevant field is required. MBA/CFA designation (or progress towards CFA designation) is preferred but not required.
• 5-10+ years of experience in public and private structured finance investing and analysis (including structural features, issuer analysis, and collateral attributes) sufficient to establish suitable recommendations for participating in new offerings and secondary market trading, as well as ongoing surveillance of holdings.
• Demonstrable understanding of ABS products, public and private, including credit cards, autos, data centers, student loans, whole business, equipment finance, aircraft, railcars, containers, consumer loans, and other major and esoteric categories. Experience performing credit analysis and modeling cash flows for such securities.
• Proficiency in the primary analytical tools and systems required for the analysis of structured finance securities, such as Bloomberg, Intex, etc.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Access, Word, Power BI and PowerPoint
• Proficient with SQL; advanced technical skills and programming experience preferred (Python, VBA, VB.Net, and/or C#).
• A solid understanding of portfolio surveillance and fixed income analytics, including duration, spread duration, convexity, key rate duration, immunization, static yield spread, OAS, etc. Familiarity with insurance company ALM and/or LDI is an advantage.
• A “get it done” work ethic that supports the completion of tasks within specified timeframes, and the ability to adjust to shifting priorities as business conditions warrant, understanding that the work requirements of the position will sometimes embed inflexible deadlines.
• The ability to work cooperatively and collegially within a small team environment and communicate ideas effectively. Interest in being involved in multiple aspects of investment and risk management.
  
  

What We Offer You

We don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to our employees. Our programs are designed to make your life better both at work and at home.

• Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%
• Self-Managed Time Away along with paid holidays
• Give back to your community and double your impact through our company matching
• Want more details? Check out Symetra Benefits Overview
  
  

For more information about our careers visit www.symetra.com/careers

Compensation

Salary Range: $125,000- $208,400 plus eligibility for annual bonus program.

Travel

• Required Training & Professional Development
• All newly hired people leaders with direct reports are required to complete a comprehensive leadership development program within their first year. This program includes both virtual and in-person training. The in-person sessions will take place at Symetra’s corporate headquarters in Bellevue, Washington. Symetra covers all travel and accommodation expenses.
• Reasonable Accommodations
• Symetra is committed to providing equitable access to all job-related responsibilities, including required travel. If reasonable accommodations are needed for travel, Symetra’s HR department will work to provide appropriate solutions in alignment with individual needs and company policies.
  
  

Work Authorization

Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with our company.



Note: This position is in Farmington, CT and it will be a hybrid work environment.