Director of Investment Manager Research

About Wealth Enhancement

Wealth Enhancement is an independent wealth management firm with an endless passion for enriching the lives of our clients. We continually seek to perfect our craft of personalized financial planning with our team-based Roundtable and UniFi processes that go far beyond the standard approach. We proudly provide unique financial plans and investment management services to over 80,000 households from our over 140 offices - and growing - nationwide.

Since 1997, Wealth Enhancement has tirelessly raised the standard of wealth management with specialized knowledge and more attentive service that helps every client craft their future. For more information, please visit www.wealthenhancement.com.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Director of Investment Manager Research. This role will be the lead person responsible for investment expression.  This includes the initial due diligence and monitoring of all third-party investment products including ETFs, Mutual Funds, Separately Managed Accounts, and Alternative Investments (including but not limited to interval funds and limited partnerships across Private Equity, Alternative Lending, Real Estate/Real Asset and Diversifying Strategies).

The Director of Investment Manager Research will be responsible for overseeing and growing a team of Senior Portfolio Manager(s),Portfolio Manager(s), and Analysts.  They will work closely with Portfolio Consulting and Advisor teams to articulate and communicate investment ideas for client’s adoption and understanding.  They will also collaborate with the Director of Fixed Income and Director of Equities to help develop cohesive approaches to the WEAS model sleeves.  The Director of Investment Manager Research will also be an integral member of the Asset Allocation Committee, Equity Sub-Committee, Fixed Income Sub-Committee, Macro Sub-Committee, Investment Committee and Advanced Product Committee. 

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position is $180,000.00 to $220,000.00, exclusive of bonuses and benefits. This role is also eligible for our corporate bonus.

Primary Job Functions

Oversee the Research of Investments

• Conduct research of third party managed investment funds, including those that have a high degree of complexity or require in depth analysis.

• Help develop areas of expertise and specialty of team members. Be recognized as a valued expert resource across all investment disciplines by other team members.

• Regularly contribute investment ideas to team

Conduct Investment due diligence of 3rd party managers across a variety of fund structure and investment focus

• Establish and maintain a process for the gathering and distillation of information on investment managers.

• Ensure the information is synthesized to capture the salient drivers of risk and return.

• Developed the capability to identify all potential points of differentiation, risks and opportunities of investments under consideration.

• Ensure due diligence findings are properly documented and shared with team as appropriate, overseeing junior team members.

• Maintain process of continued oversight and monitoring of menu of recommended managers.

• Other team members rely on findings without supervision or review.

Prepare and/or oversee preparation of reports to assist with investment decisions and communication.​

• Work with team members to prepare detailed investment initiation reports and presentations.

• Request information and review reports prepared by junior staff members.

• Independently contribute to written and verbal communication process.

• Present in-depth information, potentially on complex topics, without supervision for internal and/or external meetings.

Participate in and/or lead investment related special projects.

• Assign and oversee projects identified as necessary, or as directed by senior management. These projects are often non-recurring and may arise from changing market conditions, client requests, new initiatives, etc.

• Supervise junior staff members special project work to ensure objectives are achieved.

• Special project work will often involve advanced complexity and/or require significant experience to complete.

Develop and supervise junior investment team members.

• Oversight and delegation of daily duties to junior employees.

• Take proactive role in developing and directing junior level employees talents in due diligence best practices, documentation, and presentation.

• Assist in identifying any misallocation of resources and propose solutions to reallocate to senior management.

Education / Qualifications

·       Bachelor's Degree in business; finance, economics or related, Masters preferred, CFA preferred

·       10+ years investments; financial products analytics

·       Series 7, 66 and Insurance licenses, if applicable

·       Knowledge of Microsoft Office; excellent Excel skills

·       Knowledge of FactSet and Bloomberg

·       Detail oriented; ability to prioritize work and projects; able to work with deadlines yet be flexible 

·       Commits to high standards of ethical behavior; demonstrates trustworthiness

·       Excellent oral and written communication skills

·       Professional interactions with department customers

·       Ability to work as a Team Member; positive solution-focused attitude.

WEG hires employees and makes decisions about their salary qualifications based on factors such as: the role to be performed; educational and professional experience, qualifications, skills and credentials; tenure, cost-of-living and demand for the role in the applicable market. To comply with state pay transparency laws, we must disclose the entire salary grade. The entire salary grade for those who are classified as a director level is $142,600.00 to $213,900.00. However, the base salary range bolded above is what we expect to pay as a starting range for this position.

Comprehensive Benefits Offerings

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. You may participate in the following benefits & development opportunities:

• Training and professional development

• Medical, dental and vision coverage (Available to employees and their families)

• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical, dependent, and transit expenses

• Life and AD&D insurance – employer paid and voluntary options

• Short-term and long-term disability, workers compensation – employer paid

• 401k with match and profit sharing

• Wellness programs and resources

• Voluntary benefits, including pet insurance

• 18 days of paid time off (PTO), accrued annually (25 PTO days after 4 years of service)

• 12 paid holidays each year (10 pre-determined and 2 floating days)

• Paid parental leave and paid caregiver leave (Caregiver leave available after 6 months of tenure)

• Reimbursement for tuition, licensing, and other credentials (Available after meeting service requirements)

Should you need reasonable accommodation when completing the application form or during the selection process, contact the Human Resources Department at 763-417-1700

Information provided on this application will be kept confidential and only be shared with those involved in the selection process.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans. This organization participates in E-Verify.

Click the following link to view Federal and E-Verify posters: Link

OSHA Requirements: This position requires the ability to stand or sit for long periods of time, file documents in high or low cabinets, to use the telephone and to use the computer systems.