Investment Analyst

Kemper; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Kemper in Chicago Downtown seeks an Investment Analyst to support the Investments team with fundamental credit and investment research across corporate bonds, municipal bonds, structured securities, and alternative investments. You will prepare credit memos, monitor portfolios, and help develop buy/sell recommendations for portfolio managers.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor's degree with at least 1 year in credit or investment analysis, strong Excel skills, and familiarity with financial

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field.
• At least 1 year of full-time experience in credit or investment research or related field.
• Active CFA program participation or municipal bond research/trading/portfolio management experience.
• Basic knowledge of financial statements, credit analysis, and investment concepts.
• Strong analytical, written communication, and Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental credit and investment research across sectors and asset classes.
• Prepare and maintain written credit memos with issuer overviews and analysis.
• Monitor portfolio holdings by reviewing performance, ratings actions, financial results, and covenant compliance.
• Maintain investment research files and internal databases to support monitoring and reporting.
• Support analysis of primary and secondary market opportunities, including review of materials and pricing.
• Assist in developing buy, sell, and hold recommendations for portfolio managers.

Skills

Excel skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Financial statement analysis

Credit analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Bloomberg

Aladdin

Python

Job description

Details

Kemper is one of the nation’s leading specialized insurers. Our success is a direct reflection of the talented and diverse people who make a positive difference in the lives of our customers every day. We believe a high-performing culture, valuable opportunities for personal development and professional challenge, and a healthy work-life balance can be highly motivating and productive. Kemper’s products and services are making a real difference to our customers, who have unique and evolving needs. By joining our team, you are helping to provide an experience to our stakeholders that delivers on our promises.

Position Summary

The Investment Analyst supports the Investments team by conducting fundamental credit and investment research across a range of asset classes, which may include corporate bonds, municipal bonds, structured securities, private debt, private equity, and alternative investments. This role assists with issuer analysis, portfolio monitoring, market research, valuation support, and the development of written and verbal investment recommendations for portfolio managers. The position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, financial statement analysis capabilities, and the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative information within a relative value framework.

Position Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental credit and investment research on issuers across sectors and asset classes, which may include corporate bonds, municipal bonds, structured securities, private debt, private equity, and alternative investments.
• Prepare and maintain written credit memos, including issuer overviews, industry and competitive analysis, financial statement analysis, relative value analysis, key risks, and investment considerations.
• Monitor existing portfolio holdings by reviewing issuer performance, market developments, ratings actions, financial results, covenant compliance, and other relevant credit or investment-related information.
• Maintain investment research files, internal databases, and documentation to support portfolio monitoring, reporting, and investment decision-making.
• Support analysis of primary and secondary market investment opportunities, including review of offering materials, pricing, credit fundamentals, and relative value.
• Assist in developing buy, sell, and hold recommendations for portfolio managers through written research, financial analysis, and verbal discussion.
• Perform quarterly valuation support for private debt, private equity, and other alternative investments under the guidance of senior investment professionals.
• Collaborate with portfolio managers, analysts, and other investment team members to support portfolio objectives and investment strategies.
• Track market, economic, industry, and company-specific trends that may affect current or prospective investments.

Position Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (MUST HAVE)

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of full-time professional experience in credit research, investment research, trading, financial analysis, or a related field required.
• Active CFA Program participation required, defined as having passed CFA Level I, being registered for an upcoming CFA Level I exam, or currently pursuing CFA Level II or Level III; or municipal bond credit research, trading, surveillance, underwriting, or portfolio management experience.
• Basic knowledge of financial statements, credit analysis, and investment concepts.
• Strong analytical, written communication, and Excel skills.

Preferred Requirements (nice To Have)

• Experience analyzing municipal bonds, healthcare issuers, not-for-profit hospitals, or other public finance sectors.
• Experience or coursework related to fixed income, corporate credit, municipal bonds, structured securities, private credit, private equity, or alternative investments.
• Experience with Bloomberg, Aladdin, Python, or other investment research/data tools.
• MBA or MS in Finance preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Basic understanding of credit markets, fixed income securities, financial statements, and investment fundamentals.
• Ability to conduct financial statement analysis and evaluate issuer creditworthiness using both quantitative and qualitative information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify key risks, trends, and investment considerations.
• Ability to synthesize research and market information into clear written analysis and verbal recommendations.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in research, data, reporting, and valuation support.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other financial analysis tools.
• Ability to organize and maintain research materials, investment files, and internal databases.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present analysis to portfolio managers and investment team members.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn across multiple asset classes, sectors, and investment strategies.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented investment environment.

This position is not remote and relocation assistance is not provided. The location of this role is at our Chicago Downtown office with hybrid schedule.

The range for this position is $70,000 to $117,100. When determining candidate offers, we consider experience, skills, education, certifications, and geographic location among other factors.

Kemper is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We are committed to supporting diversity and equality across our organization and we work diligently to maintain a workplace free from discrimination. Kemper is focused on expanding our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts to align with our vision, mission, and guiding principles.