Investment Analyst (Research) (IS-0501-11/12)
Smithsonian Institution
Full-time
On-site
Washington DC US
$84,601 - $131,826 USD yearly
Investment Analyst (Research) (IS-0501-11/12)
Application Deadline: 10 July 2025
Department: Office of Investments
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: $84,601 - $131,826 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: June 27, 2025
CLOSING DATE: July 10, 2025
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk
Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
OVERVIEW
This position is located in the Office of Investments (OI), Under Secretary for Finance and Administration, Smithsonian Institution. The Office of Investments is responsible for the growth, safety, and integrity of the Institution’s financial assets. The Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Investments manages the $2.7 billion Endowment, which uses external investment managers to invest in diverse asset classes and strategies that include global equity, fixed income, hedge funds, private equity and real assets. The Smithsonian receives approximately 70% of its funding from the Federal government with the balance from its Endowment, research grants, philanthropic donations, and the income from its commercial activities.
The purpose of this position is to provide support and assistance in the development and implementation of investment strategies and to provide analytical and operational support to the Chief Investment Officer and the investment team.
The purpose of this position is to provide support and assistance in the development and implementation of investment strategies and to provide analytical and operational support to the Chief Investment Officer and the investment team.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Grade 11:
- Assists the OI senior staff in the review of manager performance by monitoring performance, analyzing holdings and portfolio strategies, examining risk, forecasting future performance, etc. and assists with evaluating managers from a quantitative and qualitative perspectives.
- Participates in the preparation of quarterly performance reports and monthly flash reports and compares Smithsonian investment performance to that of the market and peers.
- Conducts analyses on drivers of absolute and relative investment performance, performance attribution, and portfolio characteristics. Plans and coordinates studies and drafts reports on findings.
- Supports and implements technology requirements for third party solutions and tools that include Bloomberg, portfolio management, AI tools, and other investment applications.
- Researches and remains current with global financial markets, as well as economic and political trends.
Grade 12:
- Works directly with the OI senior staff in the overall management of the investment program and evaluating managers from a quantitative and qualitative perspective.
- Prepares quarterly performance reports and monthly flash reports and compares Smithsonian investment performance to that of the market and peers.
- Conducts complex and authoritative studies, develops and issues reports and executive-level summaries that serve as the basis for management decisions.
- Supports and implements technology requirements for third party solutions and tools that include Bloomberg, portfolio management, AI tools, and other investment applications.
- Researches and remains current with global financial markets as well as economic and political trends.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess the following:
Grade 11:
A bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and 3-5 years of related experience (described below).
Grade 12:
A bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and 4-6 years of related experience (described below).
Experience required for this position is as follows:
- Comprehensive knowledge of financial policies, precedents, objectives, and principles, including modern portfolio theory and asset allocation in traditional asset classes.
- Knowledge and understanding of diverse asset classes, preferably with experience with an asset manager, plan sponsor, direct investor or highly sophisticated consultant/investment advisor.
- Knowledge of wide range of qualitative and quantitative analytical methods and mathematical models in order to apply this knowledge to complex financial issues and problems.
- Ability to analyze financial data, identify trends, and anticipate future earnings through complex economic analyses.
- Ability to work well, with and through others, to accomplish the mission.
- Skill in oral and written communication skills in order to develop presentations, prepare reports that explain investment proposals and influence and educate attendees, and explain and defend recommendations.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo.