Return Seeking Associate

Position Overview

Join a distinguished investment office dedicated to serving large, strategic, and sophisticated insurance and pension clients. Our team manages substantial investments exceeding €15bn in “Return Seeking” (RS) assets, focusing on diverse forms of private debt and equity-like investments. Operating with a relative value-oriented approach, we prioritize consistent outperformance and capital preservation for our clients, ensuring compliance with local regulatory frameworks. Our Zurich-based RS team spearheads this initiative, providing comprehensive support in portfolio management, investment selection, analytics, reporting, and educational resources tailored to Solvency II optimization.

Role Objectives

As part of the team, you will contribute to the origination and management of private investments, specifically engaging with Israeli insurance companies to optimize their asset allocation within the regulatory constraints of Israel. Your integration with the Zurich-based RS team is vital for enhancing the economics, insights, and service offerings through dedication, expertise, and collaborative client relationships.

Primary Responsibilities

• Focus on private investments originated by Apollo to be placed on the balance sheets of regulated Israeli insurance and pension funds.
• Foster constructive client relationships in Israel by understanding their operational constraints and facilitating their interactions with management, investment committees, auditors, and regulators.
• Prepare and present summaries for Israeli investors on new deals originated by Apollo, aiding in their decision-making processes.
• Defend investment decisions by coordinating necessary governance for approvals and preparing required investment and reporting materials within regulatory frameworks, including Solvency II compliance.
• Liaise with Apollo deal teams to support the origination and structuring of investment opportunities tailored to Israeli client needs.
• Manage the preparation and adjustment of investor reports and ad hoc responses for both internal management and external client regulatory reporting.
• Utilize and develop analytical tools to track and forecast capital activity, returns, drawdown risk, diversification, and other metrics essential for constructing private investment portfolios.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience within investment functions at large insurance companies, insurance asset management firms, investment banks focusing on insurance solutions, consulting firms specializing in insurance regulation or law, or alternative asset management groups.
• Proven experience in alternative and private investments is essential.
• Solid understanding of fixed income principles, capital markets, and private origination, particularly in asset-backed and corporate finance.
• Familiarity with Solvency II regulations, including Standard Formula calculations, and knowledge of the distinctions between the Israeli adoption and continental European frameworks.
• Ability to effectively defend investment proposals, showcasing strong presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated self-starter attitude, strong work ethic, and commitment to excel.
• Able to operate efficiently under pressure, manage multiple tasks, and respond promptly to requests.
• Proficiency in SQL, VBA, Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint for data manipulation, portfolio reporting, and modeling of private investment portfolios is mandatory.
• An excellent academic background in finance, economics, mathematics, or a related field.
• Fluency in English, Hebrew, and one additional language is required.