Utah Retirement Systems provides financially sound retirement and 401(k)/457 investment benefits, as well as comprehensive health and dental, disability, and life insurance benefits to active and retired Utah public employees and their beneficiaries.
To learn more about the URS Investments Department click here.
Job DescriptionTemporary position not to exceed 29 hours per week for up to one (1) year or 40 hours per week for up to six (6) months.
Our work is a mix of public service and professional investing. The URS Investment teams manage equity, credit/fixed income, absolute return, real assets, and private equity globally across both public and private markets.
During the course of the internship we expect interns to become an extension of the URS investment team. Interns are challenged with projects that stimulate creativity and analytical thinking to solve real investment issues. Projects include participating in due diligence on both prospective and existing investments, conducting analysis, and various other projects related to managing a $40+ billion pension plan. Interns participate in all aspects of the investment process to create value for the portfolio and to further their education and growth.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES
Provides due diligence support to the investment team. This includes but is not limited to:
Gathering and organizing information generated during the due diligence process;
Participating in due diligence phone calls and meetings;
Compiling materials for Investment Committee presentations.
Assists with investment-related research projects as needed. This includes but is not limited to:
Working with investment team to define project scope and objectives;
Gathering relevant information from a variety of internal and external resources;
Contributing to presentation of research findings and project implementation.
Prepares research papers and analysis on:
Market activity and portfolio sensitivity to various risks;
Market innovations and potential portfolio solutions;
Other projects as needed.
Assists in producing timely and accurate reports for investment department.
Promotes cooperation among departmental staff and with outside advisers.
Maintains strict confidentiality.
Performs other related duties as required.
INTERN OBJECTIVES
1. Learn about institutional investment strategies.
2. Become proficient in Excel and other technologies, including database work and in-depth analysis.
3. Develop investment network.
4. Develop strong communication and analytical skills.
Required Experience
Education and Experience
Actively pursuing undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited university in the fields of investment management, business administration, accounting, financial management, business economics, mathematics or related field. Must demonstrate competence with basic investments and portfolio management concepts either through applicable work experience or education; or an equivalent combination or education and experience. Preference will be given to graduate degree candidates.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
This list contains knowledge, skills, and abilities that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary from position to position:
Required technical skills include introductory knowledge of:
- Microsoft Office Suite.
- Access, Visual Basic, SQL, and Bloomberg.
Required mathematical skills include working knowledge of:
- Accounting; auditing principles and techniques.
Required investment skills include introductory knowledge of:
- Financial theory and statistical measures.
- Basic knowledge of investments and portfolio management practices such as: portfolio finance and investment methods and concepts.
- Knowledge of investment performance measures.
- Financial forecasting,
- Portfolio sensitivity and risk analysis.
Must possess excellent communication skills:
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.
Must have the ability to:
- Follow written and verbal instructions.
- Prioritize work.
- Perform within deadlines.
- Work well in a team environment as well as independently.
- Multi-task by handling a variety of duties in a timely and efficient manner.
- Follow through with assignments.
- Deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines.
The incumbent must always demonstrate judgment, high integrity, and personal values consistent with the values of URS.
Additional Requirements
As a requirement of this position, the employee will submit to the URS Investment Compliance Officer a record of trade confirmations or monthly transaction summaries, as they become available, of all security transactions (excluding mutual funds), in any account under the employee’s control and direction, or under the control and direction of the employee’s spouse.
Work Environment
Incumbent performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities which do not generally involve muscular strain, but do require activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions.
Skills Required
- Actively pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited university in investment management, business administration, accounting, financial management, business economics, mathematics, or a related field.
- Basic knowledge of investments and portfolio management concepts through education or applicable work experience.
- Introductory knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Access, Visual Basic, SQL, and Bloomberg.
- Working knowledge of accounting, auditing principles, and auditing techniques.
- Introductory knowledge of financial theory and statistical measures.
- Introductory knowledge of investment performance measures, financial forecasting, and portfolio sensitivity and risk analysis.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, multitask, and follow instructions.
- Strong judgment, high integrity, confidentiality, and personal values consistent with the organization’s values.
- Graduate degree candidacy.
What We Do
Utah Retirement Systems (URS) is an independent component unit of the State of Utah that administers retirement and defined-contribution benefits for state, local-government, and public-education employees. Its Retirement Office manages pension and retirement savings plans, while its PEHP division provides medical, dental, life, and other employee benefits. URS oversees multiple defined-benefit pension systems and defined-contribution plans for Utah public employees.
