Director - Investments, Portfolio Construction & Due Diligence

About the role

The Director - Investments, Portfolio Construction & Due Diligence role at Ally Financial is a player-coach role that involves strategic and tactical asset allocation for AIA portfolios, as well as the research, security selection, manager selection, and investment due diligence that support portfolio design and ongoing oversight. This role also includes a secondary client- and market-facing component, including portfolio analysis, development of market and investment commentary, and support for media inquiries and selected client conversations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the strategic and tactical asset allocation for AIA portfolios using capital market assumptions, risk and return analysis, quantitative inputs, and market insights
• Lead asset allocation and portfolio construction research to enhance model offerings and support the development of new portfolio solutions, including value- and goal-driven overlays, downside protection strategies, and income-oriented approaches
• Define portfolio construction frameworks, including model criteria, weightings, and rebalancing approaches for multi-asset portfolios, using risk models, optimization techniques, and back-testing where appropriate
• Lead security selection, manager selection, and ongoing investment due diligence
• Analyze third-party managers, sector and industry trends, ETFs, and other managed products to support investment decisions
• Maintain informed views on market, sector, and macroeconomic developments and communicate recommendations relevant to portfolio strategy
• Monitor risk across client accounts, assess portfolio exposures and risk factors, conduct portfolio reviews, and provide portfolio construction guidance to advisors
• Analyze client and prospect portfolios and communicate portfolio insights, investment rationale, and asset allocation recommendations as needed
• Develop market commentary, quarterly updates, and product reviews for internal and external audiences
• Publish market commentary, quarterly updates, and product reviews for internal and external audiences
• Partner with marketing, communications, and PR to support media inquiries related to market developments, portfolio positioning, and investment strategy
• Provide leadership across portfolio management and investment research while contributing directly to analysis and implementation

Requirements

The minimum qualifications for this role include:

• 9+ years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• A high school diploma or GED equivalent
• FINRA Series 65, or Series 7 and 66 licenses
• CFA designation preferred
• A strong foundation in asset allocation and global capital markets
• Experience with portfolio construction, manager research, investment due diligence, and performance evaluation
• A strong understanding of economics and macro drivers of asset markets
• A knowledge of modern portfolio theory, investment research, and quantitative portfolio analysis
• Experience with back-testing, risk models, and optimization techniques
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, VBA, Python and other technical/automation skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate investment insights for different audiences
• A highly detailed, intellectually curious, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities
• A strong understanding of managed products, including mutual funds, ETFs, and SMAs
• Familiarity with investment research tools such as Morningstar Direct and TAMP platforms such as Orion and Envestnet

Qualifications

To qualify for this role, candidates should have:

• A bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field
• Experience in portfolio management, portfolio construction, asset allocation, or manager research
• Knowledge of modern portfolio theory, investment research, and quantitative portfolio analysis
• Experience with back-testing, risk models, and optimization techniques
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, VBA, Python and other technical/automation skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate investment insights for different audiences
• A highly detailed, intellectually curious, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities
• A strong understanding of managed products, including mutual funds, ETFs, and SMAs
• Familiarity with investment research tools such as Morningstar Direct and TAMP platforms such as Orion and Envestnet

Skills

• Strong foundation in asset allocation and global capital markets
• Experience with portfolio construction, manager research, investment due diligence, and performance evaluation
• A strong understanding of economics and macro drivers of asset markets
• A knowledge of modern portfolio theory, investment research, and quantitative portfolio analysis
• Experience with back-testing, risk models, and optimization techniques
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, VBA, Python and other technical/automation skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate investment insights for different audiences
• A highly detailed, intellectually curious, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities
• A strong understanding of managed products, including mutual funds, ETFs, and SMAs
• Familiarity with investment research tools such as Morningstar Direct and TAMP platforms such as Orion and Envestnet

Benefits

Ally offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Time Away: 20 paid time off days in addition to 11 paid holidays and 8 hours of volunteer time off yearly
• Planning for the Future: an industry-leading 401K retirement savings plan with matching and company contributions, student loan pay downs and 529 educational savings assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, employee stock purchase plan, and financial learning center and financial coach access
• Supporting your Health & Well-being: flexible health and insurance options including medical, dental and vision, employee, spouse and child life insurance, short- and long-term disability, pre-tax Health Savings Account with employer contributions, Healthcare FSA, critical illness, accident & hospital indemnity insurance, and a total well-being program that helps you and your family stay on track physically, socially, emotionally, and financially
• Building a Family: adoption, surrogacy and fertility assistance as well as paid parental and caregiver leave, Dependent Day Care FSA back-up child and adult/elder care days and childcare discounts
• Work-Life Integration: other benefits including Mentally Fit Employee Assistance Program, subsidized and discounted Weight Watchers® program and other employee discount programs

Pay

The base pay range for this role is $135,000 - $235,000 USD. The actual salary will be determined by the specific role, the scope and responsibilities of the role, work experience, education, certification(s), training, and additional qualifications.

Schedule

Work Schedule: Ally designates roles as (1) fully on-site, (2) hybrid, or (3) fully remote. Hybrid roles are generally expected to be in the office a certain number of days per week as indicated by your manager. Your hiring manager will discuss this role's specific work requirements with you during the hiring process. All work requirements are subject to change at any time based on leader discretion and/or business need.