We serve Utah public employees with retirement and insurance benefits in a partnership of trust with a commitment to value, innovation, and excellence. URS has two divisions. The Retirement Office administers pension benefits and retirement savings plans.  Public Employees Health Program (PEHP), a division of Utah Retirement Systems, is a nonprofit trust with the vital job of providing health benefits to Utah’s public employees and their families. We serve only the public sector — the State of Utah, its counties, cities, school districts, and other public agencies. 

URS Investments Department

Our work is a mix of public service and professional investing. The URS Investment teams manage equity, credit/fixed income, absolute return, real assets, and private equity globally across both public and private markets.The Investments Team is strongly rooted in collaboration and every individual is an integral part of the team. The team is responsible for implementing the investment program of the URS Defined Benefit plan with long-term sustainability of the portfolio in mind. The team manages investments internally and partners with external investment firms to manage a globally diversified portfolio. The teams’ efforts have a strong emphasis on Absolute Return, Real Assets, and Private Equity investments.

Defined Benefit assets are approximately $45 billion. The team also supports the $9 billion Defined Contribution program. Each member of the investments team is expected to be dedicated to the mission of the organization and safe-guarding the future of Utah’s public employee’s retirement benefits.

For more information about the Investments Department, please click here. 

This job may be filled at either of the levels listed below.

Asset Management Analyst I

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Min: 36.13/hr.  Max: $46.07/hr.

Asset Management Analyst II

FLSA: Exempt

Min: $91,764.95/yr.  Max: $117,004.49/yr.

POSITION SUMMARY

An asset management analyst for the retail portfolio conducts analysis and market research to evaluate property performance and support strategic decision-making. This role involves preparing reports on property operational metrics, analyzing leasing agreements, and identifying opportunities for value enhancement. Additionally, the analyst collaborates with the retail investment team to develop recommendations that align with the overall investment strategy and improve asset profitability. The analyst collaborates closely with operators, retailers, vendors, and other stakeholders to enhance occupancy rates, improve customer experiences, and implement effective operational policies.

Preferred candidates will possess experience in retail operations, merchandising, order fulfillment, sales, customer service, leasing, property management, and/or marketing.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

1. Under appropriate direction, conducts research to assist the investment team on due diligence for externally and internally managed investments, dispositions and redemptions, asset management, and risk assessment. Assists in assessment of same within the context of portfolio objectives and market conditions, among other considerations.

• • Asset management duties include:
    • Gather information relevant for hold/sell analysis, property maintenance and utility monitoring, tenant relations, billing, lease administration, annual business planning and budgeting, cash disbursements, performance audits and asset valuations.
    • Monitor market data, research relevant information, identify new and relevant data sets, and gather, report, and present on this information to assist URS investment professionals in decision making.
    • Interact regularly with various internal and external stakeholders for the purpose of collecting information and data to assist investment and asset management colleagues.
    • Conduct or participate in site visits/inspections and on-site meetings to gather information from tenants, operators, property managers, etc. (includes coordinating third-party inspections for various objectives).
    • Monitor asset-level operating and financial metrics by aggregating and validating data related to tenant rent rolls, expense recoveries, capital, debt service, financial statements, etc. This may include managing systems for same.
    • Review annual business plans and budgets and monitor budgets throughout the year, and identify areas of potential concern or highlight for Investment colleagues.
    • Gather monthly/quarterly property operations and financial performance data.
    • Develop, manage, and monitor asset and financial management processes.
    • Manage internal software applications and systems for asset and financial management.
    • Monitor compliance with procedures, protocols, and ensure proper documentation is managed in relevant software and systems.
  • Acquisition due diligence responsibilities include:
    • Gathering, organizing, and recording information generated during the due diligence process.
    • Participating in due diligence phone calls and meetings.
    • Assist in drafting materials for Investment Committee presentations.

     2. Conducts research and data collection for investment-related research projects as needed. This includes but is not limited to:

• • • Gathering, organizing, and recording relevant information from a variety of internal and external resources, including contacting external sources such as subject-matter experts, academics, etc.
    • Producing regular reporting for stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
    • Demonstrating an understanding of the organization and its needs.
    • Contributing to presentation of research findings to senior investment professionals and assisting with project implementation.
    • Assisting in the creation of useful reports and analysis on market activity, portfolio sensitivity, key performance indicators, market trends, investment performance, etc.

3. Assists analysts in the preparation and presentation of investment recommendations based on strategic and tactical asset allocation decisions.
4. Produces timely and accurate reports for Investments staff.
5. Promotes cooperation among departmental staff and with outside advisers.
6. Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
7. Maintains strict confidentiality.
8. Performs other related duties as required.

Asset Management Analyst I Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in investment management, business management, accounting, finance, financial management, economics, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, law, humanities, or related field. Must have the ability to demonstrate competence with basic investments and financial concepts either through applicable work experience or education, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience with direct investment due diligence, accounting, property/facilities management, asset management, tenant-side property operations (e.g., Retail, Industrial, Office, or Multi-family, etc.), or similar, is preferred.

Progress toward Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), NCREIF Professional Certificate in Institutional Real Estate, Counselors of Real Estate (CRE), Real Estate Finance and Investments certification (REFAI), Real Estate Financial Modeling certification (REFM), Certified Property Manager (CPM), Real Estate License, or similar designations are preferred.

Working knowledge or understanding of database management, relevant programming language (e.g., Visual Basic, SQL), and/or cash flow modeling software is preferred.

Asset Management Analyst II Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in investment management, business management, accounting, finance, financial management, economics, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, law, humanities, or related field, and four (4) years of relevant work experience which includes experience with direct investment due diligence, accounting, property or facilities management, asset management, operations for various types of real asset properties or similar; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Progress towards master’s degree preferred.

Progress toward relevant designations is preferred. Examples may include: Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), NCREIF Professional Certificate in Institutional Real Estate, Counselors of Real Estate (CRE), Real Estate Finance and Investments certification (REFAI), Real Estate Financial Modeling certification (REFM) Certified Property Manager (CPM), Real Estate License, Accredited Farm Manager (AFM), Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA), Forest Management Certification (FMC), or similar.

Working knowledge or understanding of database management, relevant programming language (e.g., Visual Basic, SQL), and/or cash flow modeling software is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This list contains knowledge, skills, and abilities that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary from position to position:

Required technical skills include working knowledge of the following:

• Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced capabilities in Excel.
• Accounting systems and best practices.
• Organizing process workflows, managing recurring tasks and processes, and documenting actions taken.

Required asset-management skills include a working knowledge of the following:

• Lease terms including rental rates, expense reimbursements, durations, options, exclusives and prohibited uses.
• Commercial real estate terminology.
• Property management property and accounting software applications is preferred.
• Investment legal agreements, including advisory, operating, leasing, and property, is preferred.

Required investment skills include working knowledge of:

• Purposes, principles, and theory of finance.
• Business, monetary, and economic trends and practices.
• Investment performance measurement.
• Analyzing common financial statements.
• Analyzing common property operations reports.

Must possess excellent communication skills:

• Distill analysis into original reports and recommendations.
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and industry investment professionals.
• Lead meetings with property management staff, auditors, and similar professionals.
• Present information in a clear and concise manner.

Must have the ability to:

• Demonstrate that URS’ member/beneficiaries are a top priority.
• Study a variety of topics and gather relevant information.
• Ask inquisitive and investigative questions.
• Attend to detail.
• Display autonomy and leadership in performing job functions.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Prioritize work.
• Perform within deadlines.
• Work well both independently and in a team environment.
• Handle a variety of duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Follow through with assignments.
• Deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines.

The incumbent must always demonstrate judgment, high integrity, and personal values consistent with the values of URS.

Additional Requirements

As a requirement of this position, the employee will submit to the URS Investment Compliance Officer a record of trade confirmations or monthly transaction summaries, as they become available, of all security transactions (excluding mutual funds), in any account under the employee’s control and direction, or under the control and direction of the employee’s spouse.

Work Environment

Incumbent performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities which do not generally involve muscular strain, but do require activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions.

Position requires occasional travel for office business. Individual must be physically capable of safely operating a vehicle, possess a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based upon data provided by a current Department of Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).