Job Description

About the Role:

The Institutional Consultant is a client-facing role that provides investment advice to institutional clients, predominantly endowments, foundations and Native American and Alaska Native communities on the determination of investment objectives, establishment of investment policy, selection of investment managers, and the monitoring of portfolios.

Responsible for cultivating new/existing relationships with institutional clients with investable assets of $50M or more and proactively helps to resolve issues and concerns. Conducts quarterly/annual portfolio performance reviews and responds to client’s ad hoc requests. Provides support on products and services and directs consulting projects.

Position is open nationwide, preferably out of Milwaukee or Chicago and must be near a Baird branch.

The Impact You’ll Make:

• Present (in person or virtually) regular updates on capital markets and investment performance to executive-level committees and other stakeholders.
• Lead and support Investment Policy Statement (IPS) development, review, and ongoing governance, including establishing objectives, risk parameters, asset allocation guidelines, performance benchmarks, rebalancing policies, and roles and responsibilities consistent with fiduciary best practices.
• Advise investment committees on fiduciary governance matters, including policy adherence, committee structure, conflicts of interest, monitoring frameworks, and best practices for oversight and decision‑making.
• Present and respond to investment committees throughout the RFP process including articulating investment philosophy, process, governance capabilities, and differentiators.
• Be responsible for construction of portfolio recommendations and evaluate client portfolios focusing on generating optimal risk/return characteristics, investment strategies and their impact for large and jumbo market clients.
• Independently assist institutional clients with market and stock research.
• Coordinate the resolution of complex issues/concerns received from the institutional client.
• Develop relevant offerings leveraging existing internal capabilities.
• Present at events to highlight Baird’s capabilities.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the firm’s wealth management solutions and resources.
• Become uniquely adept at telling the Baird story in the community/with clients.
• Proactively identify and pursue new client relationship to grow and maintain a strong client base.
• Demonstrate deep expertise across foundations, endowments, pension funds, and nonprofit institutions, including an understanding of their unique objectives, constraints, and governance considerations.
• Coordinate and assist in the creation and reconciliation of quarterly reporting packages.
• Create RFP responses and board packages.

What You’ll Bring to Baird:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in investment consulting or related field.
• CFA designation required or actively pursuing CFA or relevant experience coupled with related industry credentials.
• Ability to confidently present to senior level executive and committee members.
• Series 7, 66.
• Additional product licenses may be required.
• Strong technical analysis skills and past manager analysis experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Adobe Acrobat.
• Preferred experience with Morningstar Direct and other Market Data software applications.
• Ability to translate the impact of macro economic events on client portfolios.
• Financial industry and product knowledge.
• Knowledge of applicable compliance rules and regulations.
• Proficient in applicable software applications.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with colleagues and clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Evidence of strong leadership skills or previous supervisory experience.
• Must be willing to travel.
• Experience in developing, reviewing and recommending improvements to investment policy statements.
• Knowledgeable of investment committee best practices and governance structures.

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Baird is committed to diversity and provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.