AVP, Alternative Investments - SFGAM

Sammons Financial Group Inc.; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

ESOP and 401(k) participation

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition reimbursement and development

Job summary

Sammons Financial Group seeks an senior investment professional to oversee its asset management's alternative investments portfolio. You will lead sourcing, due diligence, underwriting, governance, and portfolio construction across private equity, private credit, real estate, and other strategies.

Responsibilities include evaluating opportunities, maintaining relationships with GPs and consultants, and presenting recommendations to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or related field preferred.
• 10+ years in institutional or alternative investments or OCIO-related roles.
• Significant due diligence and underwriting experience in private markets.
• Strong knowledge of private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure and hedge funds.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing, evaluation, due diligence, underwriting, and selection of alternative investment managers and opportunities.
• Develop investment recommendations across primary funds, secondaries, co-investments, and other structures.
• Maintain relationships with general partners, consultants, and placement agents.
• Oversee manager relationships including performance evaluation and governance review.
• Evaluate portfolio construction, liquidity, diversification, and risk/return across alternatives.
• Lead due diligence processes with internal and external stakeholders.
• Negotiate partnership agreements, side letters, fund economics, and governance provisions.
• Prepare and present investment recommendations and risk assessments to leadership.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Qualitative analysis

Communication skills

Relationship management

Mentoring

Attention to detail

Accountability

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or related field

Professional designation (CFA/CAIA/MBA) preferred

Job description

What You Can Expect In This Role

Oversee and manage Sammons Financial Group Asset Management's alternative investment portfolio in partnership with the VP, Alternative Investments. Lead sourcing, due diligence, underwriting, portfolio construction analysis, manager oversight, and governance activities across private equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, hedge funds, real assets, and other alternative investment strategies.Serve as a senior investment professional responsible for evaluating new investment opportunities, monitoring existing manager relationships, assessing portfolio risks and opportunities, and developing investment recommendations consistent with portfolio objectives, liquidity requirements, risk tolerances, and insurance company investment considerations.Utilize deep knowledge of institutional alternative investments, manager selection, portfolio construction, and governance to support disciplined investment decision making and portfolio oversight.

What You’ll Do In This Role

• Lead sourcing, evaluation, due diligence, underwriting, and selection of alternative investment managers and investment opportunities.
• Develop investment recommendations across primary fund commitments, secondary investments, co-investments, and other alternative investment structures.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with general partners, consultants, placement agents, and other industry participants.
• Oversee assigned manager relationships, including performance evaluation, organizational monitoring, governance review, and assessment of investment risks.
• Evaluate portfolio construction, commitment pacing, liquidity profile, diversification, vintage year exposure, and risk-return characteristics across the alternatives portfolio.
• Lead investment, operational, organizational, legal, and qualitative due diligence processes in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Review and negotiate partnership agreements, side letters, fund economics, governance provisions, and related investment documentation.
• Participate in Limited Partner Advisory Committee (LPAC) activities and governance matters for assigned investments.
• Analyze portfolio performance, valuation developments, risk exposures, and manager‑specific developments and provide recommendations as appropriate.
• Prepare and present investment recommendations, portfolio reviews, and risk assessments to investment leadership and governance bodies.
• Partner with Accounting, Risk, Treasury, Tax, Actuarial, Legal, Compliance, and other business partners to support portfolio management activities.
• Support forecasting of capital calls, distributions, liquidity needs, Net asset value (NAV) growth, and investment returns.
• Contribute to enhancements of investment processes, governance frameworks, portfolio analytics, and reporting capabilities.
• Mentor and develop investment professionals while fostering a collaborative and high‑performing culture.
• Represent Sammons at annual meetings, industry conferences, due diligence meetings, and other external engagements.
• Drive and reinforce commitment to internal controls processes such as those under Model Audit Rule and Record Information Management.
• Commitment to embrace Sammons Financial Group Companies shared values (Accountability, Connection, Openness, Respect and Integrity).
• As stated within the Company Attendance and Punctuality policy, regular attendance is required and expected in order to meet the business service levels and workflow demands.
• Participate in other initiatives and/or projects as necessary.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or related field Preferred
• Minimum 10 years' of institutional investment, alternative investment, manager research, asset management, investment consulting, Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO), private markets, endowment, foundation, pension, or related experience Required
• Significant experience conducting manager due diligence and underwriting alternative investment Required
• Strong knowledge of private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, hedge funds, and related alternative investment strategies Required
• Experience evaluating portfolio construction, commitment pacing, liquidity management, and manager selection Required
• Experience presenting investment recommendations to senior leadership and governance forums Preferred
• Insurance general account investment experience Preferred
• Familiarity with statutory accounting, Risk-Based Capital (RBC) considerations, Schedule BA reporting, Asset Liability Management (ALM), and insurance investment frameworks Preferred
• Ability to assess manager capabilities, organizational quality, investment process, governance, and portfolio risks
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to present investment concepts and recommendations clearly
• Strong relationship management, collaboration, stakeholder engagement, attention to detail, self‑initiative, and accountability
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop others and contribute to a collaborative, performance‑driven culture
• Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives, meet deadlines, and support disciplined governance and control processes
• CFA, CAIA, MBA, or similar professional designation Preferred
• 20% Travel

Other Requirements

• Due to the financial nature and level of accountability of this position, a credit and criminal background check is required - The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires Sammons Financial Group Companies to notify you that, as a routine part of processing this application for employment, Sammons Financial Group may request a consumer report on you to verify all information contained in this application. Such report may include information about work‑related behaviors, performance, character, general reputation, and personal characteristics, in addition to information about your previous employment, education, credit history and criminal records
• This role will be subject to a SEC compliance program, which can include monitoring personal securities transactions, restrictions on outside business activities, as well as other oversight and restrictions.

What you can expect when you join Sammons Financial Group

• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA & FSA options, and term life insurance.
• Competitive compensation with a performance‑based incentive program tied to clear goals and individual and/or company success.
• Invest in your future with our 100% company‑funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), plus automatic enrollment in our 401(k).
• Work-life balance that means something. Friday afternoons off year-round, generous paid time off, and paid holidays.
• Commit to your growth with paid development time, tuition reimbursement, and professional development opportunities across industry, individual, and leadership programs.
• Make an impact beyond the workplace through volunteer time off, and our company nonprofit matching gift program, supporting the causes that matter most to you.
• An ownership culture that inspires; join a connected, values-driven workplace where employees take accountability, support one another, and are empowered to do their best work - together shaping our future shared success.

Work Authorization/Sponsorship

At this time, we’re not considering candidates that need any type of immigration sponsorship now or in the future or those needing work authorization for this role (This includes, but is not limited to students on F1-OPT, F1-CPT, J-1, etc.)

Additional Information

Sammons Financial Group Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

ADA

Sammons Financial Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application or hiring process, including navigating our website or applying for a position, please contact [e-mail] or call 800-728-2987.

E-Verify

Sammons Financial Group participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Policy for External Search Firms and Agencies

Sammons Financial Group maintains an internal Talent Acquisition function and does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from search firms, staffing agencies, or other third-party recruiting vendors. Please review our Recruitment Agency Policy for additional information here.