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MSA Sr Research Analyst

Northwestern Mutual
  • Milwaukee, WI
  • $118,960–$178,440 Per Year
Today

Job Description

About the Job:

Mason Street Advisors, LLC Overview

Mason Street Advisors, LLC (“MSA”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Northwestern Mutual”), and an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. MSA-advised mutual funds are underlying investment options in certain Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company programs and Northwestern Mutual variable products.

As of June 30, 2026, MSA managed approximately $42.3 billion of client assets.

What You'll Do:

  • Perform initial due diligence and provide recommendations of third-party asset managers following Mason Street Advisors’ (“MSA”) investment research process. This includes the qualitative review of the manager’s team, investment process, parent company and the quantitative analysis of performance characteristics, risk and factor attribution, as well as style consistency and adherence to the stated investment process. The due diligence process may include on-site visits of managers and attendance at industry conferences.

  • Responsible for the ongoing monitoring of external investment managers, including performance attribution analysis and qualitative assessment of their investment team and process. This includes recommending the addition or removal of investment managers and identifying appropriate replacement managers when necessary.

  • Assist in the management of the Active/Passive fund suite ($2.6 billion in AUM). Key member of the team that manages asset allocation strategy, strategic and tactical positioning, and fund selection parameters and process.

  • Assist in trading functions, including the management of cash, for the Active/Passive fund suite and MSA’s operating account. Develop and maintain relationships with securities dealers, and acts as liaison with industry and regulatory organizations related to trading matters. Perform credit analysis on commercial paper issuers. Participate in the oversight of trading and brokerage practices of sub-advisers.

  • Assist in MSA’s derivatives oversight and reporting functions. Assist in setting risk limits, conducting due diligence of the sub-advisers’ risk management processes, and monitoring the sub-advised portfolios’ derivatives risk exposures. Assist in overseeing and monitoring market, counterparty, liquidity, leverage, valuation, operational, and regulatory risks related to the use of derivatives, as well as regulatory matters and prospectus/SAI disclosures.

  • Member of MSA’s Brokerage and Trading Committee, Proxy Voting and Corporate Actions Committee, the Derivatives Oversight Group, and the Pricing Committee (helping to ensure pricing policies and procedures are followed and fair value pricing is being applied in a prudent manner) on a rotating basis.

  • Provide mutual fund board-facing investment research commentaries and content including written research reports, investment manager write-ups, portfolio attribution summaries, market and economic commentaries.

  • Build and contribute to positive working relationships with leaders within MSA and Northwestern Mutual. Know internal and external customers and service providers. Take ownership and use sound judgment to resolve issues that may be complex and require research and follow-up. Provide complete, professional, high-quality verbal or written responses, as appropriate. Handle negative situations well, offer workable alternatives, and facilitate appropriate resolutions. Collaborate frequently with other departments.

  • Assist in the preparation and presentation of materials for MSA’s Investment Committee, as well as MSA’s Board of Directors.

What You'll Bring to the Role:

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree

  • Broad knowledge of markets, investments, economics, accounting, and financial tools, such as Bloomberg, Morningstar Direct, eVestment, Excel, etc.

  • Strong working knowledge of current trends within the investment industry.

  • Background in researching or recommending mutual funds, ETFs, SMAs for use within a portfolio.

  • The ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization. This includes writing reports, memos, communications, as well as giving presentations to audiences of varying sizes.

Desirable Requirements:

  • 10 years of relevant work experience in the investment industry to include experience performing investment research and/or evaluating investments or investment products as part of a portfolio.

  • MBA degree and/or CFA designation

  • Experience giving presentations in large and small group settings

Skills You Have:

  • Investment Performance Reporting - Analyzes and interprets investment data to produce reports that communicate the performance of investments to clients or stakeholders by collecting and organizing data, calculating performance metrics, creating visual aids such as graphs and charts, and presenting the information in a clear and concise manner that is easily understandable to the intended audience. Makes recommendations for future investment strategies based on the analysis of the performance data.

  • Research Methods - Conducts research utilizing various strategies, techniques and processes. Utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research methods in deriving meaning from datasets. Identifies and validates datasets for research and analysis.

  • Data Collection & Analysis - Gathers, stores, accesses, and uses information collected via quantitative (e.g., surveys or usage data) or qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, document analysis). Analyzes data to uncover patters and insights to inform business decisions.

  • Investment Performance Reporting - Analyzes and interprets investment data to produce reports that communicate the performance of investments to clients or stakeholders by collecting and organizing data, calculating performance metrics, creating visual aids such as graphs and charts, and presenting the information in a clear and concise manner that is easily understandable to the intended audience. Makes recommendations for future investment strategies based on the analysis of the performance data.

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$108,160.00

Pay Range - End:

$162,240.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

$118,960.00 USD - $178,440.00 USD

Structure 115:

$124,400.00 USD - $186,600.00 USD

We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!

Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

Skills

Research Methods (NM), Investment Research (NM), Investment Performance Reporting (NM), Data Collection & Analysis (NM)

FIND YOUR FUTURE

We’re excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and our commitment to a culture of belonging.

Numbers & Facts

LocationMilwaukee, WI
IndustryFinancial Services
Salary$118,960–$178,440 Per Year
Company Size5,000 to 9,999 employees
Year Founded1857
Websitehttps://www.northwesternmutual.com/

About Company

Who We Are

What we believe.

We believe relationships are built on trust. That our lives and our work matter. And that doing what’s right is good for everyone — our clients, our employees, our financial representatives and our communities.
These beliefs launched our company nearly 160 years ago. Today, they’re just a few of the reasons why people choose to build careers at Northwestern Mutual.

We’re known for our financial strength.

That means we’ll be here for the millions of people who are counting on us—our clients, our employees, our financial representatives and our communities.

We care.

We make a positive difference in our communities. Nationally, thousands have benefited from our support of research and programs to fight childhood cancer. Each year, our Foundation, employees and financial representatives donate time, talent and financial support to causes they’re passionate about.


Why Work Here

We’re strong and growing.

In a company with such a long and storied history, this may be the most exciting and important time to be a part of Northwestern Mutual. We’re strong, innovative and growing. And we want you to grow with us.

We invest in our people.

We provide opportunities for employees to grow themselves, their careers, and, in turn, our business. Movement around the company is encouraged and we help our people build meaningful, long-term careers.

Be part of building our future.

We’re expanding our campus in downtown Milwaukee overlooking Lake Michigan. The Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons will include a state-of-the-art employee Learning Institute, and will feature a natural light-filled, 21st century work environment. This signature development reinforces our commitment to job growth, attracting top talent and drawing new business to Milwaukee.

Enjoy Milwaukee.

Located on beautiful Lake Michigan, Milwaukee offers a perfect balance of big city and small town living. Home to Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, Milwaukee has a thriving music scene, a celebrated annual film festival and vibrant performing arts community. Professional sports teams include the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks and other major teams. And outdoor family fun is easy here. An extensive urban bike path network links our lakefront parks, beaches and other recreational hotspots.


Our Culture

We are always evolving.

At Northwestern Mutual, our employees, and our business, are always evolving. We are agile and continuously learning and improving. We have a work environment that empowers problem solving and encourages innovation—you will make an impact here.

We do what’s right.

Our “do-what’s-right” value is pervasive. We ask ourselves: “Is this in the best interest of our clients? Our employees? Our financial representatives?” Acting on this value improves our clients’ experience, and makes Northwestern Mutual a better place to work.

We recognize and develop possibilities in our people.

Onsite training and leadership development programs help employees succeed and grow. We also sponsor learning opportunities outside the company to help employees stay current in their fields, network with peers and gain external perspective.

Diversity makes us better.

We believe diversity and inclusion cultivate creativity, innovation and a better experience for our clients. That’s why we recruit and grow people who bring unique perspectives, ideas, beliefs and cultural backgrounds.

Skills

  • Accountingunmatched
  • Analysis Skillsunmatched
  • Asset Managementunmatched
  • Brokerageunmatched
  • Business Administrationunmatched
  • Cash Managementunmatched
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)unmatched
  • Communication Skillsunmatched
  • Conferencesunmatched
  • Credit Analysisunmatched
  • Data Analysisunmatched
  • Data Collectionunmatched
  • Data Setsunmatched
  • Derivativesunmatched
  • Due Diligenceunmatched
  • Economicsunmatched
  • Financial Trend Analysisunmatched
  • Investment Analysisunmatched
  • Investment Fundsunmatched
  • Investment Managementunmatched
  • Investment Reportingunmatched
  • Investment Strategyunmatched
  • Leadershipunmatched
  • Life Insuranceunmatched
  • Liquidityunmatched
  • Market Trackingunmatched
  • Mutual Fundsunmatched
  • Performance Analysisunmatched
  • Performance Metricsunmatched
  • Presentation/Verbal Skillsunmatched
  • Pricingunmatched
  • Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
  • Qualitative Analysisunmatched
  • Qualitative Researchunmatched
  • Quantitative Analysisunmatched
  • Quantitative Researchunmatched
  • Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)unmatched
  • Regulationsunmatched
  • Reporting Skillsunmatched
  • Research Skillsunmatched
  • Riskunmatched
  • Risk Managementunmatched
  • Securitiesunmatched
  • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)unmatched
  • Trend Analysisunmatched
  • Wealth Managementunmatched
  • Writing Skillsunmatched

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