Job: Senior Economist

Senior Economist – The Vanguard Group

Company

The Vanguard Group is one of the largest money managers in the world. Overall, the firm manages more than $980 billion with $450 billion representing plan sponsor DC/DB assets. Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, the firm is well known for its strong leadership, teamwork-oriented culture, and passionate dedication to clients and quality. The mutual fund and ETF businesses comprise more than 80% of the firm’s business.

Reporting Relationships

Reporting to the Chief Economist, the successful candidate will be a key research contributor, frequently joining teams of professionals on a cross-functional basis in investments and client service. This position provides the opportunity to work on a broad range of business-related research projects, offers considerable exposure with a broad range of clientele and the firm’s senior management, and facilitates several potential long-run career paths.

Mission

Assist the Chief Economist in providing thought leadership on macroeconomic and financial research that is recognized nationally and in peer journals.

Critical Responsibilities

-     Most importantly, provide critical programming and analytical support on quantitative macroeconomic analyses for the firm’s Chief Economist

-     Conduct macroeconomic and investment research under the guidance of the Chief Economist and other group researchers

-     Collaborate in publishing “white papers” that support the firm’s reputation as a thought leader in macroeconomic analysis, portfolio construction, and financial trends

-     Collaborate with client service and product management professionals internally to support business initiatives and develop practical applications of benefit to a wide range of institutional and retail clients

-     Collaborate with the investment professionals on portfolio management applications covering a wide array of topics, such as asset allocation optimization, portfolio construction and strategies, and risk management

-     Represent the firm externally through presentations at conferences in conjunction with the various sales organizations in the company, as well as with industry associations, in order to raise the general credibility of the academic work being produced by the research team.

“Must Have” Qualifications

-     PhD in economics or finance, with concentrations in time-series econometrics, macroeconomics, financial economics, and/or public finance

-     Prior work experience as a researcher in a think tank organization, or a professor in an academic setting

-      Exceptionally strong technical, analytical and programming skills, including a strong grasp of time-series econometrics

-     Extensive knowledge of various programming languages, especially Matlab, EViews, and SAS

-     Expertise in working with large macroeconomic and financial datasets necessary for original research work (e.g., CRSP)

-      Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively.

-     Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities.

-     A strong interest in macroeconomics and investment topics.

-     Desire to develop strong presentation and writing skills

Desirable Qualifications

-     Prior experience in an investment organization, or another commercial financial services environment such as a pension consultant, sell side brokerage firm or risk management consultant.

-     Prior experience in practical applications in finance and investments.

-     Extensive knowledge of international capital markets, including working or living outside the US.

Please e-mail resumes to economist@russellreynolds.com