Portfolio Strategy Associate, Office of the CIO

GEM; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) contribution

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance; disability insurance

Wellness reimbursement program

Education assistance

Job summary

GEM, an independent investment management firm, seeks an intellectually curious investment professional to join the Office of the CIO in Charlotte, NC. You will help shape portfolio construction, asset allocation, and risk management, working directly with the CIO to develop analytical insights and advance GEM's portfolio capabilities.

This is a highly analytical role requiring strong technical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to translate complex analysis into actionable investment ideas

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Python, SQL, Excel (including VBA and Solver) for analysis.
• Strong understanding of institutional portfolio construction and capital markets.
• Ability to think independently and apply sound judgment to questions.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills for complex concepts.
• Curiosity to deepen investment knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Assist portfolio construction and asset allocation decisions.
• Develop analytical insights and evaluate portfolio positioning.
• Build risk analytics frameworks and communicate findings clearly.
• Explore AI tools and innovative methods to enhance research.

Skills

Python

SQL

Excel

VBA

Solver

Education

CFA designation in progress

Tools

Bloomberg

Portfolio management systems

Risk analytics

Performance attribution tools

Job description

About GEM

GEM is an independent investment management firm that provides customized solutions for long-term investors worldwide. Since 2007, we have sought to deliver superior risk‑adjusted returns to our clients by combining disciplined investment research and active portfolio management with exceptional service and enduring partnership. With a global platform, broad institutional investment capabilities, and an experienced team, we design portfolios to meet the unique needs of each investor we serve.

Role Description

The Office of the CIO is seeking an intellectually curious investment professional to help shape the firm's portfolio construction, asset allocation, and risk management process. Working directly with the CIO, this individual will play a meaningful role in evaluating portfolio positioning, developing analytical insights, and advancing GEM's portfolio management capabilities.

This is a highly analytical role, requiring strong technical skills but also sound investment judgment and a genuine passion for understanding how institutional portfolios are constructed and managed. The ideal candidate enjoys asking thoughtful questions, challenging assumptions with data, and translating complex analysis into actionable investment insights.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Portfolio Construction & Asset Allocation
  • Help develop forward‑looking capital market assumptions, including expected returns, volatility, correlations, and macroeconomic scenarios that inform strategic portfolio decisions.
  • Design and run optimization frameworks, scenario analyses, and stress tests to evaluate portfolio positioning under a range of market environments.
  • Perform financial time series analysis and quantitative research to identify trends, market regimes, and investment opportunities that support portfolio decision‑making.
• Investment Research & Thought Leadership
  • Conduct independent research on asset classes, market themes, and portfolio construction topics.
  • Synthesize academic research, industry publications, and market developments into practical investment insights.
  • Challenge existing assumptions through rigorous analysis and intellectual curiosity.
  • Stay current on developments in institutional investing, portfolio theory, capital markets, and quantitative research.
  • Contribute original thinking that advances GEM's investment philosophy and portfolio construction process.
• Portfolio Analytics
  • Build and maintain risk analytics infrastructure, including factor decomposition, currency exposure, market exposure, liquidity, and more.
  • Produce analyses for the CIO, Investment Committee, and client teams, communicating complex findings in a clear and actionable manner.
  • Continuously evaluate and enhance GEM's investment analytics capabilities.
• Technology & Innovation
  • Utilize programming, AI, and emerging technologies to enhance investment research and analytical capabilities.
  • Build tools and models that improve the quality, consistency, and efficiency of investment analysis.
  • Collaborate with Data & Systems Integration and Fund Operations to ensure data quality and support investment processes.
  • Explore innovative applications of AI and large language models to strengthen research, idea generation, and portfolio analysis.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of investment experience, whether making investment decisions directly at a hedge fund, multi‑strategy platform, or asset manager, or supporting them within an OCIO, endowment, foundation, pension, or family office.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, Excel (including VBA and Solver), or similar analytical tools.
• Strong understanding of institutional portfolio construction, asset allocation, portfolio theory, and capital markets.
• Demonstrated ability to think independently, synthesize complex information, and apply sound judgment to investment questions.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills, with the ability to present complex quantitative concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Intellectual curiosity and a desire to continuously deepen investment knowledge.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with multi‑asset portfolios, strategic asset allocation, manager research, portfolio construction, or investment strategy.
• Experience conducting financial time series analysis, quantitative research, or econometric analysis.
• Familiarity with Bloomberg, portfolio management systems, risk analytics, and performance attribution tools.
• Experience leveraging AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, or other large language models to enhance investment research and analytical workflows.
• Progress toward or completion of the CFA designation is viewed favorably.

Benefits

• Competitive, market‑based compensation
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision health insurance
• Life insurance; short- and long‑term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account / Health Savings Account
• Education assistance, including certifications, membership reimbursements, and more
• Wellness reimbursement program
• Paid time off