VC Associate @ Stepstone Group in La Jolla, CA

VC Stack; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

VC Stack in San Diego is seeking a Portfolio Management Associate to evaluate investments and support portfolio construction. The role requires strong financial modeling skills, proficiency in Python and Excel, and the ability to work independently while communicating complex analyses.

Ideal candidates will have a degree in Mathematics, Statistics, or related fields, along with experience in a financial environment. Salary range is $95,000 – $115,000 annually, aligning with skills and experiences.

Qualifications

• Strong background in Python and MS Excel; understanding of financial instruments.
• Experience in a financial environment; knowledge of private markets is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Building and managing complex Excel models using VBA for portfolio management.
• Model building and analysis using Python/R; data retrieval and wrangling using MySQL.
• Creating presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Financial modeling

Python

MS Excel

Statistical model building

Data analysis

MySQL

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelors, Master's or Ph.D. in Mathematics, Statistics, Biostatistics, Econometrics, or related field

Tools

SAS

R

Matlab

Bloomberg

PowerBI

Job description

We are global private markets specialists delivering tailored investment solutions, advisory services, and impactful, data driven insights to the world’s investors. Leveraging the power of our platform and our peerless intelligence across sectors, strategies, and geographies, we help identify the advantages and the answers our clients need to succeed.

Position Overview

The Portfolio Management Associate of StepStone will work with the portfolio management and investment team to dynamically evaluate investments for risk, return, liquidity, and allocation targets for multi-asset class portfolios. The analyst will be expected to have financial knowledge that can be leveraged to support and construct analyses for portfolio construction needs. The role is broad and will require an entrepreneurial mindset. The analyst will work with the Data Science, Research and SPAR teams to collect, clean, and understand data as well as suggest models and metrics that are relevant for the concepts revolving around portfolio management and liquidity. The analyst will develop relevant models and communicate the assumptions and complexities of the models internally.

Essential Job Functions

• Building and managing complex excel models using VBA for portfolio management functions.
• Understanding and exploring concepts of risk, return and liquidity to better manage portfolios.
• Model building and analysis using built‑in functions and models developed from scratch in Python/R.
• Data retrieval and wrangling using MySQL and Python/R. Knowledge of PowerBI a plus.
• Communicating the output of models internally, including assumptions and limitations.
• Discussing internally the merits of the models and analyses.
• Independent and efficient working style: ability to develop big picture ideas and translate them into code and actionable model output.
• Creating presentations for internal and external stakeholders articulating portfolio plans and investment decisions.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

• Bachelors, Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Mathematics, Statistics, Biostatistics, Econometrics, or a related field.
• Excellent written communication and presentation skills.
• Experience in a financial environment. Knowledge of private markets a plus.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Some knowledge of financial modeling.
• Strong background in Python and MS Excel; experience in SAS, R or Matlab.
• Deep understanding of statistical model building and data analysis; numerical algorithms expertise.
• MySQL or other database expertise.
• Knowledge of financial instruments and Bloomberg a strong advantage.
• Extremely strong attention to detail to maintain code and data integrity.
• Positive attitude, curious mindset, and strong team collaboration.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• High level of confidentiality.

Salary Range: $95,000 – $115,000

The salary range is an estimate of pay for this position. Actual pay may vary depending on job‑related factors that can include location, education, skill, and experience. The salary range does not include any benefits or other forms of possible compensation that may be available to employees.

At StepStone, we believe that our people are our most important asset and crucial to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to create an environment that empowers our employees and allows them to be heard, regardless of title or tenure. Our organizational community features multiple Employment Resource Groups as well as mentorship programs to enhance the employee experience for all.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, StepStone does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.