Associate Director, Real Assets Quantitative Analyst

Cohen & Steers; New York (NY); On-site; USD 160,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Cohen & Steers seeks a highly skilled Associate Director, Real Assets Quantitative Analyst to lead quantitative research and production of a top-down dynamic asset allocation platform supporting real assets portfolios.

You will evolve signals, risk models, and portfolio construction while owning daily production, data ingestion, and backend Python services. The role involves collaboration with PMs and front-end tools like Angular and Power BI in a hybrid NYC setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of quantitative research, systematic investing, or development.
• Advanced degree in a quantitative discipline or equivalent expertise.
• Strong foundation in statistics, econometrics, optimization, and asset return modeling.
• Expert-level Python and SQL skills; experience supporting live production investment models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; collaborative with PMs and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct quantitative and applied investment research to enhance dynamic asset allocation signals for real assets.
• Contribute to portfolio construction, risk budgeting, and allocation decisions using optimization frameworks.
• Own and evolve risk models and scenario frameworks for PM decision-making.
• Manage data ingestion/validation from S&P Xpressfeed, Bloomberg, Datastream, and internal datasets.
• Maintain and enhance Python backend code and API services; ensure reliable daily production runs.
• Support front-end components (Angular/Power BI) used by Portfolio Managers.
• Document methodologies, assumptions, and model changes clearly.

Skills

Python

SQL

Statistics

Econometrics

Optimization

Asset return modeling

Investment theory

Communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Education

Advanced degree in a quantitative discipline

Tools

S&P Xpressfeed

Bloomberg

Python back-end

Angular

Power BI

SSRS

Job description

Job Title: Associate Director, Real Assets Quantitative Analyst

Department: Investments, Real Assets Multi-Strategy

Reports To: SVP, PM, Head of Real Assets Multi-Strategy

FLSA Code: Exempt

Estimated Salary: $160,000 - $170,000

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled Quantitative Investment Analyst to join the Multi-Asset Solutions investment team and assume primary responsibility for an existing top-down dynamic asset allocation platform primarily supporting diversified real assets portfolios.

This role combines investment and applied quantitative research with production system ownership. The successful candidate will conduct research to evolve tactical allocation signals, risk models, and portfolio construction frameworks, while also being responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and enhancement of the production model. The primary users of the platform are the Portfolio Managers. Cohen & Steers is committed to an inclusive culture, valuing diversity in support of our people and clients.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

• Conduct quantitative and applied investment research to develop and enhance tactical and dynamic asset allocation signals for real assets.
• Contribute directly to portfolio construction, risk budgeting, and allocation decisions, including the use of Black-Litterman-style and other optimization frameworks.
• Own and evolve risk models and scenario frameworks used to inform PM decision‑making.
• Manage ingestion and validation of S&P Xpressfeed, Bloomberg, Datastream, and internal datasets.
• Maintain and enhance Python backend code and API services with strong engineering discipline.
• Own daily production runs, monitoring, and issue resolution for a live dynamic allocation model.
• Support Angular and/or Power BI front-end components used by the PM.
• Clearly document methodologies, assumptions, and model changes.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in quantitative research, systematic investing, or quantitative development.
• Advanced degree in a quantitative discipline or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
• Strong foundation in statistics, econometrics, optimization, and asset return modeling.
• Advanced working knowledge of investment theory and practice.
• Expert-level Python and SQL skills.
• Experience supporting live production investment models.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates inclusive behaviors in support of a culture that values diverse perspectives.
• Agrees to comply with the firm’s hybrid work policy (“work from home policy,” as aligned with the Company’s employee handbook), which currently requires reporting to the Company’s New York City office four (4) days per week, with one (1) remote workday permitted.

Preferred:

• Exposure to real assets or multi-asset allocation strategies.
• Experience with S&P Xpressfeed market data.
• Angular, Power BI, SSRS, or similar analytics front-end experience.
• Familiarity with hybrid on-prem / cloud infrastructure.

What Success Looks Like:

• Continuous enhancement of signals, risk models, and system architecture.
• Improved robustness and clarity of PM-facing outputs.
• Stable, reliable daily operation of the allocation platform.

Note:

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The job title or duties and responsibilities may be changed by the Company at any time.