Investment Associate

Cerity Partners Management LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Flexible PTO

Parental Leave

Education assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Cerit y Partners in Chicago seeks a dedicated Investment Associate to support three to four wealth management partners. This entry-level career track role offers a 3–5 year arc to become a trusted investment resource while pursuing the CFA designation.

Expect significant hands-on portfolio support and collaboration with senior teams to enhance client service. The role emphasizes modeling, compliance monitoring, trade processing, and building client-ready analyses for advisor meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, accounting, or related field with strong academics.
• Genuine interest in investments and wealth management; CFA pursuit encouraged.
• Strong analytical and Excel skills; comfort with multiple advisors' books.
• Familiarity with software such as RedBlack, Addepar, Claude a plus; detail oriented.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to prepare client materials.

Responsibilities

• Maintain advisor models in RedBlack, including allocations and preferences.
• Monitor IPS compliance, including drift, ranges and exceptions.
• Prepare and process trades and portfolio rebalances.
• Raise cash for distributions and anticipated client needs.
• Invest incoming cash and implement approved portfolio changes.
• Create investment analyses and client meeting materials for advisor review.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Client communication

Team collaboration

CFA pursuit mindset

Education

Bachelor's in Finance/Economics/Accounting

Tools

RedBlack

Addepar

Claude

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary: Cerity Partners is hiring a single Investment Associate to be shared across three to four Chicago wealth management partners. This is a career-track investment role for a high-quality recent graduate with a strong finance/investment background and a genuine interest in building a career in wealth management. Over a 3–5 year developmental arc, the analyst will become a dedicated investment resource for each participating partner — learning their clients, investment philosophy, preferred models, and portfolio‑management approach — while pursuing the CFA designation. The role provides approximately 9–12 hours of dedicated investment support per partner per week, depending on whether the position is shared among three or four partners. It moves investment‑knowledge work — but not necessarily partner‑level experience — to the appropriate level, freeing partners and senior team members to focus on client relationships and advice, complex planning, prospect development, COI relationships, business development, and asset gathering and retention.

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain advisor‑preferred models in RedBlack, including allocation changes, manager changes, and implementation preferences, consistent with the Cerity Partners A4P List
• Monitor IPS compliance, including allocation ranges, portfolio drift, exceptions, and other issues requiring advisor attention
• Prepare and process trades and portfolio rebalances
• Raise cash for distributions and anticipated client needs
• Invest incoming cash and implement approved portfolio changes
• Proactively review portfolios ahead of client meetings and recommend trades or other actions for advisor consideration
• Prepare customized investment analysis and client meeting materials, including portfolio attribution and other portfolio‑specific analysis
• Progress over time from primarily executing instructions to proactively identifying portfolio issues and recommending actions for advisor approval
• Stay appraised of and understand new investment opportunities brought forth by the firm’s investment committee and identify where and why the opportunity makes sense or does not for client portfolios.
• Work with custodians to ensure money moves properly between accounts, investment data is properly recorded and understand the limitations or restrictions imposed on accounts that may influence investment decision.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or a related field, with a strong academic record Genuine interest in investments and a career in wealth management; willingness to pursue the CFA designation during the role Strong analytical and Excel skills; comfort working across multiple advisors' books and priorities Familiarity or willingness to learn and master how to use various software programs, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, Claude, RedBlack, and Addepar. High attention to detail, particularly around trading, rebalancing, and compliance monitoring Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to prepare client‑ready materials independently

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to talk to clients independently
• Ability to train and mentor Client Service Associates
• Ability to develop wealth planning and investment recommendations and present to clients when applicable
• Working knowledge of e‑Money, Salesforce a strong plus.
• Exceptional problem‑solving skills, and ability to organize and prioritize work in order to meet deadlines in a proactive manner with little supervision required.
• Must accept and thrive in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with potential and current clients.
• Tenacious about doing what is right for the client – always.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Compensation Range: $75,000 - $100,000

Why Cerity Partners

Our people drive our success by working together to deliver exceptional service to our clients. Below is a glimpse of the key elements of our total rewards package:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance – day 1!
• 401(k) savings and investment plan options with 4% match
• Flexible PTO policy
• Parental Leave
• Financial assistance for advanced education and professional designations
• Opportunity to give back time to local communities
• Commuter benefits

Cerity Partners is committed to providing an environment where all individuals can be their authentic selves.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who respects each individual and supports the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences of our colleagues. We are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

Cerity Partners is committed to working with and providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities or special needs. For those needing accommodations, please reach out to [e-mail].

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Ultimately, outstanding wealth management is about people and relationships. Our people are the nucleus of Cerity Partners. Each colleague brings unique expertise, commitment and knowledge to the firm and it is by working together that we achieve our mission to have a positive impact on the financial well‑being of our clients, colleagues and communities. Our people drive our success by working together to deliver exceptional service to our clients. We truly care about what we do.

Cerity Partners is one of the nation’s leading independent financial advisory firms. We serve high‑net‑worth individuals & their families, businesses, & their employees, and nonprofit organizations from our offices across the country. Our in‑house specialists of tax advisors, financial planners, investment professionals, & retirement plan consultants are passionate about and committed to providing financial advice & oversight.

At Cerity Partners, we believe in the long view. We work with clients who appreciate our comprehensive and sustained approach to wealth management. We don’t just look for short‑term gains, we seek long‑term growth.

We manage over $190 billion in assets under management for our clients. We are routinely recognized as a Top RIA Firm by Barron’s Advisor, Newsweek, USA Today, and more. The driving factor of our accelerated growth is our people. Located throughout the U.S., our teams consist of specialists who are helpful, knowledgeable, sincere, and have the perseverance and capability to go the extra mile for our clients. We consider our firm a community that works together to serve one common goal: Finding diverse solutions to suit diverse financial needs.