Investment Research Specialist at Marsh McLennan in Chicago, IL

Company:

Mercer

Description:

We are seeking a talented individual to join our Global Business Solutions (GBS) team at Mercer, a Marsh business. This role can be based in Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, Seattle, or St. Louis and offers a hybrid work arrangement, requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office.

As an Investment Research Specialist, you will dive deep into evaluating multi-asset strategies and help shape Mercer’s recommended investment options through insightful, forward-thinking research reports. Collaborate with a dynamic global team of over 200 asset class experts while engaging directly with diverse asset managers to broaden your industry perspective. This role offers rich opportunities for professional growth, supported by hands-on training and continuous development within a resourceful and supportive environment. Join us to influence investment decisions and accelerate your career in a leading multi-asset research group!

We will count on you to:

• Conduct in-depth due diligence on investment management firms and multi-asset strategies to support Mercer’s recommended list and ongoing monitoring
• Lead and/or participate in manager interviews with portfolio management teams and business leadership.
• Perform qualitative assessment of investment teams and organizations, including philosophy, process, portfolio construction, risk management, implementation, capacity, fees, and business stability
• Build and maintain analytical content across research deliverables, for example data sets, charts, summary views, dashboards and tables, and supporting detail that underpin research ratings and recommendations
• Produce high-quality written research, for example forward-looking research reports or manager research notes that explain Mercer’s conviction — why a strategy may outperform its benchmark or achieve its return objective over time — supported by clear evidence and risk discussion
• Contribute to post-meeting discussions and the development of recommended manager ratings, documenting key issues, rationale and monitoring priorities
• Attend external conferences, as appropriate, to develop technical knowledge and advance your career
• Provide ad hoc support to consultants in preparing for internal and external research meetings
• Assist in the preparation for direct client discussions on managers and strategies

What you need to have: 

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (BA/BS) degree in finance, economics, or other business-related areas
• Three or more years of investment experience (e.g., investment research, multi-asset research, manager research and due diligence, portfolio analytics, institutional consulting support)
• Demonstrated capability in quantitative analysis and comfort working with investment data (for example, performance and risk, peer and benchmark comparisons, multi-manager, and multi-asset contexts)
• Strong writing and communication skills — able to synthesize complex analysis into clear, decision-oriented research and discussion points
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Proficiency in Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
• Intellectual curiosity, tenacity and a willingness to take on new opportunities
• Willingness to learn

What makes you stand out?

• Direct experience with investment manager due diligence (multi-asset strategies strongly preferred)
• Progress toward or completion of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) (or other relevant credential); Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Experience producing decision-useful research deliverables (e.g., manager research notes, ratings memos, monitoring updates, shortlist/search materials)

Why join our team:

• We help you be your best through professional development opportunities, interesting work and supportive leaders.
• We foster a vibrant and inclusive culture where you can work with talented colleagues to create new solutions and have an impact on colleagues, clients, and communities.
• Our scale enables us to provide a range of career opportunities, as well as benefits and rewards to enhance your well-being.

Mercer is a business of Marsh (NYSE: MRSH), a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of over $27 billion and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information about Mercer, visit mercer.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Marsh is committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, veteran status (including protected veterans), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting reasonableaccommodations@mmc.com.

Marsh is committed to hybrid work, which includes the flexibility of working remotely and the collaboration, connections and professional development benefits of working together in the office. All Marsh colleagues are expected to be in their local office or working onsite with clients at least three days per week. Office-based teams will identify at least one “anchor day” per week on which their full team will be together in person.

The applicable base salary range for this role is $82,800 to $165,600.

The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements. Decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentives.

We are excited to offer a competitive total rewards package which includes health and welfare benefits, tuition assistance, 401K savings and other retirement programs as well as employee assistance programs.