Investment Analyst (Research) (IS-0501-11/12)

Application Deadline: 10 July 2025

Department: Office of Investments

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $84,601 - $131,826 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: June 27, 2025                   CLOSING DATE: July 10, 2025               POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: PermanentSCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC 

Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).  Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW

This position is located in the Office of Investments (OI), Under Secretary for Finance and Administration, Smithsonian Institution. The Office of Investments is responsible for the growth, safety, and integrity of the Institution’s financial assets. The Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Investments manages the $2.7 billion Endowment, which uses external investment managers to invest in diverse asset classes and strategies that include global equity, fixed income, hedge funds, private equity and real assets. The Smithsonian receives approximately 70% of its funding from the Federal government with the balance from its Endowment, research grants, philanthropic donations, and the income from its commercial activities.

The purpose of this position is to provide support and assistance in the development and implementation of investment strategies and to provide analytical and operational support to the Chief Investment Officer and the investment team. 
 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grade 11:

• Assists the OI senior staff in the review of manager performance by monitoring performance, analyzing holdings and portfolio strategies, examining risk, forecasting future performance, etc. and assists with evaluating managers from a quantitative and qualitative perspectives.
• Participates in the preparation of quarterly performance reports and monthly flash reports and compares Smithsonian investment performance to that of the market and peers. 
• Conducts analyses on drivers of absolute and relative investment performance, performance attribution, and portfolio characteristics. Plans and coordinates studies and drafts reports on findings. 
• Supports and implements technology requirements for third party solutions and tools that include Bloomberg, portfolio management, AI tools, and other investment applications. 
• Researches and remains current with global financial markets, as well as economic and political trends. 

  Grade 12: 

•  Works directly with the OI senior staff in the overall management of the investment program and evaluating managers from a quantitative and qualitative perspective.
• Prepares quarterly performance reports and monthly flash reports and compares Smithsonian investment performance to that of the market and peers.
• Conducts complex and authoritative studies, develops and issues reports and executive-level summaries that serve as the basis for management decisions. 
• Supports and implements technology requireme