Senior Analyst - WMS Manager Research

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC is seeking a senior investment researcher to lead manager due diligence for Liquid Alternative strategies across mutual funds, SMAs, and ETFs. You will serve as the primary research owner for Liquid Alternatives, overseeing coverage, due diligence, and recommendations to maintain or modify approved lists.

The role requires strong quantitative and qualitative analysis, collaboration with external asset managers, and effective communication with investment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in investment research and due diligence.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Investments, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead manager research, due diligence, and selection for Liquid Alternative funds.
• Maintain coverage of the Liquid Alternatives asset class and identify new opportunities.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of managers.
• Monitor strategies, performance, risk, and engage with PM teams.
• Prepare investment research reports and scorecards.
• Deliver recommendations on additions, retention, and removals.
• Communicate insights to investment committees and leadership.
• Build relationships with external asset managers.
• Serve as SME on Liquid Alternatives and industry developments.
• Support advisor education, wholesaling, product development, and marketing reviews.

Skills

Investment research

Communication

Financial analysis

Qualitative analysis

Quantitative analysis

Series 7 license

Education

Finance or related field

Tools

FactSet

Morningstar Direct

Bloomberg

Job description

About Our Company

We’re a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of year-end 2024. Our team of 22,000 people across 19 countries, serves more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses – Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

About Our Company

We’re a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of year-end 2024. Our team of 22,000 people across 19 countries, serves more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses – Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

About Our Company

We’re a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of year-end 2024. Our team of 22,000 people across 19 countries, serves more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses – Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

Job Description

In this role, you will be responsible for leading manager research, selection, and ongoing due diligence for Liquid Alternative investment strategies across mutual funds, separately managed accounts (SMAs), and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You will also serve as the primary research lead for the Liquid Alternatives asset class, overseeing manager coverage, conducting investment and operational due diligence, monitoring performance and risk, and delivering recommendations regarding manager selection, approval, retention, watch status, and removal. Additionally, you will be responsible for interacting directly with external investment managers, producing high-quality research and investment recommendations, communicating findings to internal stakeholders and investment committees, and serving as a subject matter expert on Liquid Alternatives across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manager research, due diligence, and selection activities for Liquid Alternative mutual funds, separately managed accounts, and exchange-traded funds.
• Serve as the primary research owner for the Liquid Alternatives asset class, maintaining coverage of assigned managers and identifying new investment opportunities.
• Conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of investment managers, including investment philosophy, process, people, performance, portfolio construction, risk management, and operational capabilities.
• Monitor covered strategies through ongoing due diligence, performance evaluation, risk assessment, and regular engagement with portfolio management teams.
• Prepare and maintain investment research reports, manager scorecards, and research updates for internal stakeholders and investment committees.
• Deliver investment recommendations regarding manager additions, retention, watch status, and removals from approved and recommended lists.
• Communicate investment insights and recommendations effectively to investment committees, senior leadership, financial advisors, and internal partners.
• Build and manage productive relationships with external asset managers and strategic partners.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on Liquid Alternative investment strategies, portfolio applications, and industry developments.
• Support advisor education, wholesaling initiatives, product development efforts, marketing material reviews, and cross-functional projects as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in investment research, manager due diligence, investment consulting, asset allocation, or other related investment roles.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Investments, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience evaluating investment products and managers using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency with investment research platforms such as FactSet, Morningstar Direct, Bloomberg, or similar tools.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present investment recommendations to senior stakeholders and investment committees.
• Ability to independently manage a research coverage universe and prioritize competing responsibilities.
• Active FINRA Series 7 license or the ability to obtain within 120 days.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of Liquid Alternative investment strategies, including hedge fund replication, long/short equity, market neutral, managed futures, global macro, multi-strategy, credit, and alternative income approaches.
• Experience conducting manager selection and ongoing manager oversight.
• Experience presenting investment recommendations to investment committees or senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of portfolio construction, risk management, and performance attribution.
• Experience interacting directly with third-party asset managers and institutional investment firms.
• High degree of intellectual curiosity, ownership, and attention to detail.
• CFA and/or CAIA designation, or progress toward completion.

Visa Sponsorship

Applicants must have a valid work authorization that does not now, or in the future, require visa sponsorship for employment in the United States (e.g., H-1B, F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, TN).

In-Office Collaboration

We are a client-centric, relationship-based business. Working together, in-person, is foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face-to-face collaboration, idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for our stakeholders — clients, advisors, employees and shareholders. Our employees work in the office at least four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles may require additional in-office time or different in-office expectations, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.

Base Pay Salary

The estimated base salary for this role is $114,500 - $157,400 / year. We have a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy. Your initial total compensation may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location. In addition, most of our roles are eligible for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long-term incentives depending on the role. We also have a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being, including but not limited to vacation time, sick time, 401(k), and health, dental and life insurances.

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full time

Exempt/Non-Exempt

Exempt

Job Family Group

Business Support & Operations

Line of Business

FPPS Wealth Management Solutions

Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer.

We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, disability status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.