Head of Quantitative Research & AI Strategy

Connect Search, LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 350,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect Search, LLC is seeking a Head of Quantitative Research & AI Strategy in Chicago. The role combines senior research leadership with strategic evaluation of emerging analytical technologies within an investment platform.

You will develop research frameworks, leverage quantitative finance expertise, and translate findings into actionable insights for investment decisions, collaborating with senior professionals and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in quantitative investment research and systematic investing.
• Proven ability to develop and evaluate quantitative investment strategies.
• Experience applying statistical and mathematical methods to financial analysis.
• Knowledge of AI/ML concepts relevant to investment research is desirable.
• Background in investment management or related sophisticated investment environments.
• Ability to assess complex data and extract meaningful relationships for decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead quantitative research initiatives and develop advanced analytical frameworks.
• Evaluate statistical and data-driven approaches to investment analysis.
• Design research systems to investigate complex financial questions.
• Translate quantitative findings into actionable investment insights.
• Collaborate with investment professionals to understand research requirements.
• Explore applications of machine learning and AI within the platform.

Skills

Quantitative research

Systematic investing

Quantitative strategy

Investment management experience

AI/ML interest

Job description

Head of Quantitative Research & AI Strategy

Company Overview

• Our client is an established financial services organization seeking an experienced quantitative investment professional to support strategic research, advanced analytics, and the development of innovative investment methodologies.
• This opportunity offers the chance to work alongside experienced investment professionals, contribute to complex investment research initiatives, and help evaluate how emerging technologies and sophisticated analytical approaches can enhance investment decision‑making.
• Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
• $$: 350k-450k total cash (base + bonus)

Why This Opportunity

• Join an established financial services organization with a sophisticated investment platform
• Contribute to high‑impact quantitative research and investment strategy initiatives
• Apply advanced mathematical, statistical, and analytical techniques to complex investment questions
• Work alongside experienced investment professionals and senior leadership
• Evaluate how emerging technologies can improve investment research and decision‑making
• Bring new perspectives from quantitative investing, systematic strategies, and other analytical investment disciplines

Position Overview

• The Head of Quantitative Research & AI Strategy will play a senior role in advancing the organization’s quantitative research capabilities and evaluating applications of emerging analytical technologies within its investment platform.
• This individual will leverage experience in quantitative finance, investment research, statistical modeling, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for improving investment analysis and research methodologies.
• Working closely with investment professionals and other internal stakeholders, the successful candidate will develop research frameworks, evaluate analytical techniques, and translate complex quantitative findings into actionable insights.
• The position requires a combination of technical expertise, investment knowledge, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to communicate sophisticated concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to quantitative investment research and advanced analytical initiatives
• Develop and evaluate statistical, mathematical, and data-driven approaches to investment analysis
• Design research frameworks to investigate complex financial and investment questions
• Analyze financial data, market conditions, investment characteristics, and potential outcomes
• Develop quantitative models to support investment research and decision-making
• Evaluate investment risks, returns, performance characteristics, and other relevant financial metrics
• Explore applications of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and advanced computational techniques
• Assess the effectiveness, limitations, and practical applications of emerging analytical technologies
• Identify opportunities to improve existing investment research methodologies
• Collaborate with investment professionals to understand research requirements and analytical challenges
• Investigate relationships between financial variables and investment performance
• Evaluate new datasets, analytical tools, and research methodologies
• Apply systematic research techniques to investment‑related questions

Qualifications

• Significant experience in quantitative investment research, systematic investing, quantitative strategy development, or a closely related investment discipline
• Background within investment management, hedge funds, quantitative investment firms, proprietary trading, financial institutions, or other sophisticated investment environments
• Strong understanding of quantitative research methodologies and their practical application to financial markets and investment analysis
• Demonstrated experience developing or evaluating investment research through statistical, mathematical, or data‑driven approaches
• Ability to evaluate complex financial information and identify meaningful relationships, risks, and opportunities
• Strong interest in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and emerging analytical technologies
• Ability to assess new research techniques and technologies critically rather than relying exclusively on theoretical applications
• Broad understanding of investment research and the factors influencing investment performance