Investment Strategy Senior Portfolio Strategist (Hybrid)

Transamerica; Cedar Rapids (IA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k Match

Pension Plan

Medical Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Transamerica in Cedar Rapids, IA seeks an experienced investment professional to support the design, management, and oversight of customized insurance investment portfolios within the CIO’s Investment Strategy team.

You will translate client objectives, balance sheet constraints, and regulatory requirements into actionable portfolio strategies across the Transamerica general account, collaborating across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or relevant field.
• Six years of fixed income trading or portfolio management experience, preferably within the insurance industry.
• Broad knowledge of asset classes/sectors, such as corporates, MBS, mortgages, and high‑yield.
• Broad knowledge of fixed income portfolio management techniques.
• Familiarity with asset‑liability management for life insurance companies and life insurance products.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including portfolio risk, duration, liquidity, and asset allocation tradeoffs.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience developing financial models and portfolio analytics.
• Experience collaborating with portfolio managers, actuaries, risk professionals, and senior investment leadership.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the General Account liquidity position, including cash forecasting and planning to support ongoing funding and liquidity needs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate, structure, and implement portfolio optimization initiatives, including transfers and derivative unwind transactions.
• Lead the review and approval process for portfolio transfer proposals, ensuring alignment with investment and risk guidelines.
• Support the benchmark-setting process by contributing to tactical asset allocation targets for portfolios.
• Partner with investment strategy and portfolio management teams to lead and execute large-scale strategic initiatives across asset classes and product portfolios.
• Contribute as both a team member and independent lead on strategic investment initiatives and process improvements.
• Prepare investment-related presentations, analyses, and communications for business development and RFP responses.
• Manage and collaborate on quarterly investment reporting processes with accurate analysis and communication of portfolio activity.

Skills

Fixed income trading

Portfolio management

Asset classes knowledge

ALM knowledge

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/finance

Tools

Financial models

Job description

Job Family Investment Management

About Us At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests. Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

* For more information, visit transamerica.com.

Who We Are

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life. Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them. We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.

What We Do

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs. Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.* For more information, visit transamerica.com.

Job Description Summary

As a key investment professional within the Investment Strategy team of the Chief Investment Office (CIO), support the design, management, and oversight of customized insurance investment portfolios. Partner across disciplines to translate client objectives, balance sheet constraints, liability considerations, and regulatory requirements into actionable portfolio strategies and investment decisions across the Transamerica general account.

Job Description Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the General Account liquidity position, including cash forecasting and planning to support ongoing funding and liquidity needs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate, structure, and implement portfolio optimization initiatives, including portfolio transfers, derivative unwind transactions, and other strategic actions.
• Lead the review and approval process for portfolio transfer proposals, ensuring transactions are optimized and aligned with established investment and risk management guidelines.
• Support the benchmark‑setting process by contributing to the development and maintenance of tactical asset allocation targets for investment portfolios.
• Partner with investment strategy and portfolio management teams to lead and execute large‑scale strategic initiatives across asset classes and product portfolios.
• Contribute as both a collaborative team member and independent lead on strategic investment initiatives, business process improvements, and other ad‑hoc assignments.
• Prepare investment‑related presentations, analyses, and communications in support of business development efforts and client Request for Proposal (RFP) responses.
• Manage and collaborate on quarterly investment reporting processes, ensuring accurate and timely analysis, documentation, and communication of portfolio activity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance or relevant field
• Six years of fixed income trading or portfolio management experience, preferably within the insurance industry
• Broad knowledge of most asset classes/sectors, such as corporates, public and private mortgage‑backed securities, commercial and residential mortgage loans, and public and private high‑yield
• Broad knowledge of fixed income portfolio management techniques
• Familiarity with asset‑liability management for life insurance companies and life insurance products
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including experience evaluating portfolio risk, duration, liquidity, and asset allocation tradeoffs
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience developing financial models and portfolio analytics
• Experience working collaboratively with portfolio managers, actuaries, risk professionals, and senior investment leadership to support strategic decision‑making
• Ability to communicate complex investment concepts and portfolio recommendations to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Actuarial experience
• MBA, CFA, and/or FSA

Compensation

• The Salary for this position generally ranges between $135,000 - $175,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in‑office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law. Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.

Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid position requiring three days in office per week in our Cedar Rapids, IA location.
• Occasional Travel <10% as needed.
• Applicants must possess legal authorization to work for our company in the U.S. without the need for immigration, sponsorship or otherwise serving as an employer of record for immigration employment purposes. At this time, this role is not eligible for immigration‑related employment authorization sponsorship.

What We Offer

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well‑being of our employees.

• Competitive Pay
• Bonus for Eligible Employees
• Benefits Package
• Pension Plan
• 401k Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Disability Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• Career Training & Development Opportunities
• Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits
• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Back‑Up Care Program
• PTO for Volunteer Hours
• Employee Matching Gifts Program
• Employee Resource Groups Inclusion and Diversity Programs
• Employee Recognition Program
• Referral Bonus Programs
• Inclusion & Diversity

Inclusion & Diversity

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.

To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company‑sponsored, employee‑driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all.

Giving Back

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.

Transamerica’s Parent Company

Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe. It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.

* As of December 31, 2023 At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential unleashed by leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests. Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

* As of December 31, 2022 For more information about Transamerica’s privacy practices, click here.