Senior Analyst, Strategy & Operations
MacArthur Foundation, Chicago, IL, United States
Overview
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation’s largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. The Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India. The Investment team is responsible for managing the Foundation’s $9.6 billion endowment across ten asset classes within a globally diversified portfolio with the objective of earning a 5% real return annually. This portfolio funds the Foundation’s grantmaking activity and other organizational expenses. Responsibilities
Senior Analyst, Strategy & Operations (CIO Office)
provides strategic, analytical, and operational leadership to ensure the smooth, high-performing operation of the Investment Office. Reporting to the Vice President & Chief Investment Officer, the role serves as a strategic partner to the CIO, helping translate the CIO’s vision into organizational execution and advancing the long-term goals of the Investment Office. The Senior Analyst will serve across six functional areas of the Investment Office. Typical responsibilities include: Investment Strategy Support & Analysis
— Conduct research and analysis on financial markets, investment strategies, portfolio holdings, and performance to support CIO and Investment team decision-making. Prepare investment memoranda, presentations, and briefing materials reflecting understanding of multi-asset-class content including public equities, fixed income, private equity, real assets, hedge funds/alternatives, and sustainable investments. Support portfolio-level analysis across the total endowment, including the portable alpha program, co-investment activities, and impact investment initiatives. CIO Office Operations & Priority Management
— Manage and optimize the CIO’s priorities and operating cadence; serve as primary gatekeeper and point of contact for CIO communications and correspondence. Represent the CIO’s office with diplomacy and discretion; liaise with trustees/investment committee members, senior leadership, external managers, and peer institutions. Governance: Investment Committee (IC) & Board
— Lead end-to-end IC meeting production: agenda development, materials assembly, quality control with investment-substance review, distribution, logistics, minutes, and action-item tracking. Ensure accuracy, clarity, and timeliness of all IC and Board materials by coordinating with asset class leads and relevant partners. Strategic Projects & Cross-Functional Execution
— Lead CIO-sponsored strategic initiatives including process improvements, technology rollouts, organizational redesign, and investment framework development; manage projects end-to-end. Lead/support technology-enabled process improvements, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency through automation, workflow redesign, and adoption of emerging tools including AI. Investment Office Operations & Team Enablement
— Own weekly Investment Team meeting cadence and oversee day-to-day Investment Office workflows, calendars, information flow, and department budgeting. Organizational Development & Talent Initiatives
— Oversee the three-year rotational Investment Analyst Program and internship program; supervise rotational Investment Analysts and administrative staff including workflow delegation, coaching, and performance feedback. Assist the CIO in organizational planning, including team structure, succession planning, recruiting, performance management, and professional development. Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or related field At least 5 years in institutional investment management, investment banking, or equity research Working knowledge of multi-asset-class institutional portfolios including public equities, fixed income, private equity, real assets, and alternatives Demonstrated ability to build financial models, analyze investment data, and produce investment memoranda and presentations Demonstrated project management capability; able to scope initiatives, build plans, and deliver on deadlines Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation abilities for board-level audiences Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and PowerPoint) High discretion, emotional intelligence, and professionalism; ability to influence across teams without formal authority CFA designation or progress preferred; MBA or relevant graduate degree preferred Experience in endowment, foundation, or pension fund investing preferred Able to prioritize and meet work deadlines consistently Compensation & Location
The position is hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois. Annual salary for this role starts at $125,000 and is eligible for an incentive bonus of up to 70% of base salary. A generous total compensation package supports life, health, and well-being. Work Environment
The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities may include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job and during the interview process.
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The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation’s largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. The Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India. The Investment team is responsible for managing the Foundation’s $9.6 billion endowment across ten asset classes within a globally diversified portfolio with the objective of earning a 5% real return annually. This portfolio funds the Foundation’s grantmaking activity and other organizational expenses. Responsibilities
Senior Analyst, Strategy & Operations (CIO Office)
provides strategic, analytical, and operational leadership to ensure the smooth, high-performing operation of the Investment Office. Reporting to the Vice President & Chief Investment Officer, the role serves as a strategic partner to the CIO, helping translate the CIO’s vision into organizational execution and advancing the long-term goals of the Investment Office. The Senior Analyst will serve across six functional areas of the Investment Office. Typical responsibilities include: Investment Strategy Support & Analysis
— Conduct research and analysis on financial markets, investment strategies, portfolio holdings, and performance to support CIO and Investment team decision-making. Prepare investment memoranda, presentations, and briefing materials reflecting understanding of multi-asset-class content including public equities, fixed income, private equity, real assets, hedge funds/alternatives, and sustainable investments. Support portfolio-level analysis across the total endowment, including the portable alpha program, co-investment activities, and impact investment initiatives. CIO Office Operations & Priority Management
— Manage and optimize the CIO’s priorities and operating cadence; serve as primary gatekeeper and point of contact for CIO communications and correspondence. Represent the CIO’s office with diplomacy and discretion; liaise with trustees/investment committee members, senior leadership, external managers, and peer institutions. Governance: Investment Committee (IC) & Board
— Lead end-to-end IC meeting production: agenda development, materials assembly, quality control with investment-substance review, distribution, logistics, minutes, and action-item tracking. Ensure accuracy, clarity, and timeliness of all IC and Board materials by coordinating with asset class leads and relevant partners. Strategic Projects & Cross-Functional Execution
— Lead CIO-sponsored strategic initiatives including process improvements, technology rollouts, organizational redesign, and investment framework development; manage projects end-to-end. Lead/support technology-enabled process improvements, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency through automation, workflow redesign, and adoption of emerging tools including AI. Investment Office Operations & Team Enablement
— Own weekly Investment Team meeting cadence and oversee day-to-day Investment Office workflows, calendars, information flow, and department budgeting. Organizational Development & Talent Initiatives
— Oversee the three-year rotational Investment Analyst Program and internship program; supervise rotational Investment Analysts and administrative staff including workflow delegation, coaching, and performance feedback. Assist the CIO in organizational planning, including team structure, succession planning, recruiting, performance management, and professional development. Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or related field At least 5 years in institutional investment management, investment banking, or equity research Working knowledge of multi-asset-class institutional portfolios including public equities, fixed income, private equity, real assets, and alternatives Demonstrated ability to build financial models, analyze investment data, and produce investment memoranda and presentations Demonstrated project management capability; able to scope initiatives, build plans, and deliver on deadlines Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation abilities for board-level audiences Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and PowerPoint) High discretion, emotional intelligence, and professionalism; ability to influence across teams without formal authority CFA designation or progress preferred; MBA or relevant graduate degree preferred Experience in endowment, foundation, or pension fund investing preferred Able to prioritize and meet work deadlines consistently Compensation & Location
The position is hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois. Annual salary for this role starts at $125,000 and is eligible for an incentive bonus of up to 70% of base salary. A generous total compensation package supports life, health, and well-being. Work Environment
The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities may include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job and during the interview process.
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