Investment Professional - Municipal Bonds

Being good neighbors - helping people, investing in our communities, and making the world a better place - is who we are at State Farm. It is at the core of how we operate and the reason for our success. Come join a #1 team and do some good! The Investment Department at State Farm is looking to hire an Investment Professional to work in its municipal bond group. The Investment Department manages $350 billion in stocks, bonds, and real estate assets in support of the company's insurance operations. Within the Department, the municipal bond group manages more than $45 billion in the debt securities of states, cities, school districts, colleges and universities, utilities, and other governmental entities. This position is based at State Farm's growing investment platform at CityLine in Richardson, Texas, in the fast-growing Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. This position is eligible for relocation benefits.

The Investment Department operates a hybrid schedule with three in-office days per week to foster collaboration.

• Perform credit analysis on existing portfolio holdings and potential new investments. This requires detailed analysis of the economic, demographic, and financial characteristics of municipal bond issuers such as state and local governments, school districts, colleges and universities, utility systems, and toll roads.
• Present analytical conclusions and make credit recommendations on prospective portfolio investments in a collaborative, team-based environment.
• Conduct research on sector trends and developments within the various segments of the municipal market. A few examples include analysis of regulatory trends and the financial impact on water and sewer systems, demographic trends in higher education, and issues related to the dynamic and competitive environment of public and private electric utility systems.
• Combine research analysis and asset valuation techniques to determine how potential investments fit within an overall portfolio. Develop knowledge of portfolio characteristics and portfolio management techniques.
• Develop skills required to eventually negotiate and execute investment transactions.
• Collaborate with colleagues across fixed income and equity investment asset classes to share information, expertise, and ideas.
• Develop professional relationships through ongoing interactions with other professionals within the public finance industry, including third-party analysts and broker/dealers.
• Attend municipal industry conferences and seminars.

• Master of Public Policy or Master of Public Administration degree is preferred. Other Master's degrees considered when accompanied with knowledge of public finance.
• Analytical, research-oriented, and self-motivated. Some knowledge of state and local government finance and/or financial markets is preferred but not required. Governmental accounting knowledge a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a close-knit team environment.
• Ability to function effectively in a deadline driven, fast-paced market environment requiring critical decision-making skills.
• A desire to develop and utilize a level of professional expertise beyond conventional norms.
• A record of achievement in personal, professional, and academic pursuits.
• Strong prioritization, time management, and organizational skills to meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Applicants are required to be eligible to lawfully work in the U.S. immediately; employer will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work authorization (e.g. H-1B visa) for this opportunity.

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