Job Title:  Associate, Private Credit-Portfolio Management & Manager Research

Corporate Title: Associate, Private Credit—Portfolio Management & Manager Research

Department: NAM International

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $150,000 and $200,000 [year] * (see below footnote for additional compensation and benefits information).

Company overview

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning approximately 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com.

Aon’s Benefit Index®, Nomura’s benefits rank #1 amongst our competitors

Division Overview: Nomura Capital Management

Nomura Capital Management (NCM) is seeking to recruit an experienced Associate to work on manager research and selection in the Private Credit Team for the Nomura Alternative Income Fund (NAIFX).  The candidate will play a critical role in sourcing and managing best-in-class GPs while working closely with NAIFX portfolio managers to deploy capital effectively. The candidate will focus primarily on US-based managers in Asset-Based Lending, Specialty Finance, and Real Estate Debt who offer both private credit funds and co-investments.

The experienced Associate will have 2-4 years of experience in private credit manager selection and research. The ideal candidate will possess extensive quantitative, data management and research skills, with a strong desire to become an expert in private credit funds, portfolio construction and risk management.

Role Description:

The candidate will assist and contribute to the investment strategy decisions of the fund—regarding manager selection, portfolio construction, and asset allocation.  Ideally the candidate will have prior experience working for an institutional platform working with similar types of portfolios, some manager research experience, and a working knowledge of a range of investment vehicles. 

In addition to day-to-day manager research and portfolio management responsibilities, the candidate is expected to participate in due diligence visits, calls with portfolio managers and research analysts as part of the manager selection process for the external managers.  The candidate is also expected to have oversight of some investor and fund reporting functions. Additionally, as a key team member and contributor in a fast growing business, the candidate will help shape strategic decisions for the growth objectives for the entire investment platform through ad hoc research, project management, and interdepartmental collaboration.

• Working closely with the Portfolio Management and Manager Research team to review and evaluate prospective investment opportunities; conducting due diligence on investment opportunities; overseeing an internal database of prospective investment opportunities.
• Writing manager meeting notes, due diligence reports, and manager recommendations; summarizing the due diligence findings in investment recommendation memos; facilitate and complete a variety of research tasks, including conducting written surveys, analyzing peer groups, and writing manager review memorandums and commentaries.
• Tracking and reporting manager performance, building and maintaining relationships with underlying managers, helping to coordinate cash drawdown and funding calendar.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis to assess the opportunity set and key risks for various private market and alternative strategies over time to help inform portfolio management decisions.
• Help develop quantitative risk framework for analyzing the historical track record of prospective investment opportunities; constructing financial models and perform technical analysis as needed.
• Utilizing relationships with GPs to monitor fund developments; designing reports to track fund and portfolio exposures and performance attribution.
• Processing and oversight of fund capital calls and distributions as required.
• Help automate processes to ensure that fund reporting requirements are met; assist with ongoing reporting needs.
• Actively contribute content/reporting for the production of investment materials and communications to clients (e.g., marketing decks, roadshows, blogs, etc); prepare presentations, analyses and appendices to be used in meetings internally and externally with clients and advisors; performing ad hoc and special projects as needed
• Build internal and external relationships to help drive product development, idea generation, and investment performance.

In all of these activities, the candidate will collaborate with teams both internally and externally and across functions—Risk Management, Legal, Compliance, Data providers, Distribution partners, Counterparties, Technology Vendors, Operations, Accounting, etc.

Skills, experience, qualifications and knowledge required:

2-4 years of experience of relevant investment management experience.  Manager research experience at a private credit investment firm (i.e. fund of funds, investment consultant, wealth management platform, etc.) is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated professional investment experience and knowledge of liquid and private credit strategies (i.e. high yield, bank loans, direct lending, structured products, real estate debt, or stressed/distressed debt) is a plus, but not required
• Demonstrated capacity to learn and develop broad expertise, including working knowledge of: alternative investment strategies; the financial instruments employed globally therein; valuation approaches across securities and derivatives
• Understanding of, and ideally some experience doing manager selection with public market fixed income/ETFs/hedge funds/equities strategies
• Strong attention to detail, sense of accountability and dedication to continuous improvement.
• Strong organizational skills and the demonstrated ability to work productively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines
• Advanced Excel/Word/PowerPoint skills required; working knowledge of PowerBI or R/Python (or equivalent) is ideal
• Data driven mindset with strong quantitative and technical skills.
• BS/BA in finance, accounting, mathematics, statistics, engineering or related field required; Master's Degree preferred
• Progress towards CFA or CAIA designation is desired

Nomura Competencies

Explore Insights & Vision

• Identify the underlying causes of problems faced by you or your team and define a clear vision and direction for the future.

Making Strategic Decisions

• Evaluate all the options for resolving the problems and effectively prioritize actions or recommendations.

Inspire Entrepreneurship in People

• Inspire team members through effective communication of ideas and motivate them to actively enhance productivity.

Elevate Organizational Capability

• Engage proactively in professional development and enhance team productivity through the promotion of knowledge sharing.

Inclusion

• Foster a culture of inclusion and psychological safety in the workplace and cultivate a "Risk Culture" (Challenge, Escalate and Respect).

*base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, corporate and functional title and duties, job-related knowledge and advanced degrees, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, discretionary awards and eligibility for commissions for applicable sales roles in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired in the U.S., employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors”.

Nomura is an Equal Opportunity Employer