Operations - Portfolio Implementation Support Analyst

Portfolio Implementation Support Analyst

 About AQR Capital Management

AQR is a global investment firm built at the intersection of financial theory and practical application. We strive to deliver concrete, long-term results by looking past market noise to identify and isolate the factors that matter most, and by developing ideas that stand up to rigorous testing. By putting theory into practice, we have become a leader in alternative strategies and an innovator in traditional portfolio management since 1998.

At AQR, our employees share a common spirit of academic excellence, intellectual honesty and an unwavering commitment to seeking the truth. We're determined to know what makes financial markets tick – and we'll ask every question and challenge every assumption.  We recognize and respect the power of collaboration, and believe transparency and openness to new ideas leads to innovation.

About The Team

The Portfolio Implementation team is responsible for the construction, optimization, and management of AQR's global asset allocation and stock selection portfolios. Portfolio Implementation works closely with researchers to bring to market new systematic investment strategies and refine existing ones, applying a practical understanding of markets to portfolio management decisions. Portfolio Implementation Analysts manage portfolios across a broad range of investment mandates and across global markets in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. They oversee all portfolio level activities and manage the launch of new investment mandates, coordinating across senior portfolio managers, client relationship managers and key functional groups. Exceptional candidates will quickly gain significant responsibility to shape key aspects of portfolio / strategy construction and implementation.

Your Role

Our team is looking for an exceptionally talented individual to support the Portfolio Implementation team. In this role, the members of the support team will partner with Portfolio Implementation specialists and assist in the day-to-day operations of portfolio management. These professionals will work in close collaboration with AQR's portfolio management, operations and engineering teams to help ensure that portfolios are managed effectively and accurately and that our infrastructure is functioning as intended.

The candidates will be exposed to all aspects of the portfolio management process for our global portfolios and will also become intimately familiar with the financial industry and the investment philosophy which drives AQR. Tasks include:

Portfolio Operations:

• Monitor daily portfolio management workflows and flag any discrepancies or issues
• Assist in onboarding new accounts, funds strategies by managing operational setup and testing

Portfolio monitoring:

• Analyze portfolio characteristics and attribute performance drivers
• Enhance portfolio implementation analytics
• Support client and regulatory reporting needs
• Collaborate with product teams, business development and client administration to prepare portfolio analyses for clients

Process Improvement:

• Collaborate with team members and developers to identify workflow improvements
• Help automate recurring reporting and data validation tasks
• Test and document enhancements to internal tools and systems

Enhancing portfolio implementation:

• Coordinate/participate in design and automation projects for the portfolio management workflow
• Work on projects with senior portfolio managers, researchers, developers, and traders to improve systematic portfolio management practices

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree from top academic institution in finance, economics, quantitative or scientific discipline
• 0–2 years of experience in investment operations, portfolio support, or data-intensive financial roles
• Familiarity with investment concepts, including portfolio theory
• Strong technical skills in Excel. Experience with a programming language is preferred
• Desire to learn and enhance technical skills
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills

Who You Are

• Mature and thoughtful, with the ability to operate within a collaborative, team-oriented culture
• Well-organized, detail-oriented; able to multi-task and keep track of various deadlines
• Confident to work independently, and engage directly with our US-based business to refine requirements and escalate issues when needed
• Interested in finance and portfolio management, with a desire to grow in the field
• Committed to intellectual integrity, with a high degree of ethics
• Hard working and eager to learn in a highly intellectual, innovative environment