Equity Research Associate - Washington Policy (Virginia)

Job Description Summary

Support Washington Policy Senior Analyst in preparing written research related to regulations, legislative policy proposals, and geopolitical/macroeconomic developments and their potential impact on the financial markets. Focus on macroeconomic policy issues across both the domestic and international stage, with specific attention paid to geopolitics, defense, trade, supply chains, energy and more.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Use policy expertise to enable analysis of key themes and trends using primary data sources and business intelligence tools.
• Demonstrates a willingness to learn about all areas of the policy landscape, and to gain/show deep expertise in areas including geopolitics, defense, trade, supply chains, energy, and more.
• Understands the legislative and regulatory process, connects with stakeholders and assesses the relevance of news and other available data.
• Performs qualitative analysis of the effects that public policy could have on the overall US economy and equity markets.
• Possesses an understanding of international public policy debates, dynamics, and geopolitical trends.
• Understands the political environment and its potential impact on policy debates.
• Prepares written reports detailing and explaining the ramifications and likelihood of policy changes.
• Proactively seeks out information regarding potential policy decisions.
• Builds effective working relationships within the internal client organization, delivering high-quality professional services with guidance from senior colleagues.
• Develops own capabilities by participating in assessment and development activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation, where relevant, to improve performance and fulfill personal potential.
• Maintains an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, conferences, and reading specialist media.

Skills

• Works with general supervision on analyzing data trends for use in reports to help guide decision making.
• Uses clear and effective verbal communications skills when required on expressing ideas, requesting actions or explaining complex recommendations.
• Communicates with internal and external clients in a clear, concise and compelling manner.
• Creates relevant, lucid and effective investment reports.
• Independently supports business processes with comprehensive understanding and effective use of standard office equipment and standard software packages, while also providing guidance and training to others.
• Understands how to put aside personal public policy and political views to independently and dispassionately assess the implications of specific policy decisions.

Required Experience

• 1-3 years of public policy experience, to include executive branch, legislative branch, industry, or relevant trade associations;
• Understanding of related policy debates;
• Strong writing skills and an understanding of the legislative and regulatory process to effectively and efficiently produce reports in a concise and timely manner;
• PC skills sufficient to create documents, detailed spreadsheets, presentations and emails;
• Communication skills sufficient to effectively summarize, explain and field questions about specific news and policies, and the potential effect on the markets;
• Organizational skills sufficient to perform duties with frequent interruptions and changes in response to recent announcements and/or other policy changes.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations/Affairs, Political Science, Economics, Public Policy or related, preferred.

Licenses and Certificates

• SIE license or ability to obtain it within 3 months of hire.
• NASD Series 63, 86/87 license or ability to obtain it within 12 months of hire.

Hours

40+

Travel Required

Minimal (Less than 5%)

Working Environment

Climate-controlled office environment during normal business hours

Position Location

Arlington, VA

Functional Area

Capital Markets & Advisory