Description
Assistant Portfolio Manager – Equity-Linked Structured Notes
Location: Park Ridge, Illinois (Chicagoland Area)
Company: First Principle, an Invictus Company
About First Principle
First Principle, an Invictus Company, specializes in the design, management, and distribution of customized equity-linked structured note solutions for advisors and institutional partners. Our platform combines disciplined portfolio management, robust operational infrastructure, and a high-touch client experience.
Position Overview
First Principle is seeking an Assistant Portfolio Manager to support the management and operations of its equity-linked structured note platform. This role sits at the intersection of portfolio management, structured product operations, and client communication. The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented, analytically strong, operationally disciplined, and comfortable translating complex financial concepts for a wide range of audiences.
This position requires the ability to communicate simply and clearly with clients, while also possessing the technical depth to engage in advanced quantitative, mathematical, and structural discussions when necessary.
Key Responsibilities
Portfolio Management & Analytics
Support the ongoing management of equity-linked structured note portfolios, including monitoring performance, exposures, and risk metrics
Assist in modeling and analyzing structured note payoffs, including buffers, participation rates, caps, coupons, and downside protection features
Evaluate underlying equity indices, volatility dynamics, correlation assumptions, and market conditions relevant to structured note issuance and lifecycle management
Perform scenario analysis, stress testing, and sensitivity analysis on existing and proposed structures
Operations & Trade Support
Oversee operational workflows related to structured note issuance, lifecycle events, corporate actions, and maturity processing
Coordinate with broker-dealers, issuers, custodians, and internal teams to ensure accurate trade execution, settlement, and reconciliation
Maintain data integrity across internal systems, reporting tools, and client-facing materials
Identify, document, and improve operational processes to enhance scalability and reduce operational risk
Client & Advisor Engagement
Serve as a key point of contact for inbound client and advisor inquiries related to structured notes
Explain complex structured product mechanics in a clear, concise, and intuitive manner for non-technical audiences
Provide deep, technical explanations—including mathematical and quantitative detail—when engaging with sophisticated clients, advisors, or internal stakeholders
Support the preparation of client presentations, educational materials, and written commentary
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with senior portfolio managers, sales, compliance, and operations teams to support product development and client servicing
Assist in responding to due diligence requests, RFPs, and ad-hoc analytical inquiries
Qualifications & Experience
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline
2–5 years of experience in structured products, derivatives, portfolio management, trading support, or investment operations
Strong understanding of equity-linked structured notes and derivative payoff structures
Exceptional attention to detail and operational discipline
Proven ability to communicate complex financial concepts both simply and with advanced technical depth
Advanced proficiency in Excel; experience with financial modeling required
Preferred
CFA designation or progress toward completion
Experience with options pricing, volatility modeling, or derivative mathematics
Familiarity with structured note lifecycle events, issuer documentation, and broker-dealer processes
Experience working directly with financial advisors or institutional clients
Core Competencies
Analytical rigor and quantitative aptitude
Operational excellence and process orientation
Clear, confident, and adaptable communication style
Ability to work in a fast-paced, detail-intensive environment
Strong judgment and problem-solving skills
Why First Principal
Opportunity to work deeply in a specialized and growing segment of the investment landscape
Exposure to both portfolio management and client-facing responsibilities
Collaborative, entrepreneurial environment within the Invictus platform
Competitive compensation and long-term career growth opportunities
