Manager Research Analyst at Morningstar in Chicago, IL

The Group:  

Morningstar’s Research group provides independent analysis on individual securities, funds, markets, and portfolios. The Research group also provides data on hundreds of thousands of investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on millions of equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar is one of the largest independent sources of fund, equity, and credit data and research in the world, and our advocacy for investors’ interests is the foundation of our company. 

The Role:   

The Analyst role on US manager research team is responsible for producing high-quality strategy-level analysis and broader asset class research that helps investors make better decisions. This role also serves the team through covering select asset management firms as a parent lead and when appropriate mentoring newer analysts.

This position is based in our Chicago office. We are in-office four days per week. 

Responsibilities:  

• Be part a collaborative team culture that aims for and prizes high-quality research, resulting in analyses that are insightful, ratings that are good calls for investors, and broader research that helps investors understand the managed products landscape 

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis using our databases, monitor regulatory information, interview portfolio managers, and perform on-site due diligence visits of asset-management firms. 

• Develop clear opinions to support forward-looking ratings on funds and other investment vehicles based on research that focuses on the funds’ management, strategy, parent company, performance and expenses. 

• Continue to pursue investing expertise while striving to specialize in a particular asset class, whether equities, fixed income, or multi-assets and alternatives   

• Engage with the external market (media, wealth managers, regulators) to strengthen understanding of Morningstar capabilities 

• Contribute to thought leadership and/or the development of analytical tools that improve strategy analysis.  

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree; an MBA, CFA, CFP or other advanced degree/accreditation a plus 

• Investing expertise with two to four years of experience in manager research or a related role 

• Specialization in a particular asset class a plus 

• Familiarity with liquid (open-end and exchange-traded funds) vehicles, experience with semiliquid vehicles (interval and/or tender-offer funds, business development companies) a plus 

• Demonstrated expertise in strategy level analysis 

• Excellent communications skills 

• Strong time management skills 

• Mentorship skills 

• Familiarity with programming languages (i.e. Python, R, MATLAB) and/or artificial intelligence a plus 

Cover letter recommended: Please indicate whether your background and preferences would make a better fit for our equity or fixed income manager research teams as we have an opening on both teams.

Target Total Cash Compensation Range: $114,100 - $193,975

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health

  • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary

  • Stock Ownership Potential

  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health 

  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages

  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual

  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health 

  • Trust-Based Time Off

  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program

  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave

  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave

  • Adoption Assistance

  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities

  • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses

  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health 

  • Charitable Matching Gifts program

  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program

  • Paid volunteering days

  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.