The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most impactful higher education systems in the country, with an annual budget of $9.1 billion. Its statewide network includes 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and the Texas A&M-RELLIS. The Texas A&M System serves approximately 175,000 students and reaches millions more through service, research and outreach programs each year. With nearly $1.6 billion in annual research expenditures, the A&M System fuels innovation, supports communities and drives Texas’ economy forward. Details below.
Position Summary
Under the direction of the Chief Investment Officer & Treasurer (Ben Wall), the Managing Director, Investments, serves as a senior leader within the Texas A&M University System investment office. The Managing Director assists in the management and oversight of investment and banking activities, leads investment manager due diligence across public and private markets, oversees compliance and reporting functions, and represents the System in external manager, consultant, and institutional interactions.
This role functions as an extension of the CIO — providing leadership, strategic insight, and operational discipline across the investment program. The Managing Director supports the development of junior team members, contributes to long‑term portfolio strategy, and ensures the investment office operates with rigor, transparency, and excellence.
Duties and Responsibilities
Investment Oversight & Due Diligence
- Lead investment manager sourcing, evaluation, and selection across public and private markets.
- Conduct advanced qualitative and quantitative due diligence, including strategy assessment, risk analysis, performance attribution, and operational review.
- Oversee ongoing monitoring of existing managers, including quarterly reviews, organizational updates, compliance checks, and risk exposures.
- Prepare and present investment recommendations to the CIO and internal stakeholders.
Portfolio Management & Strategy
- Assist the CIO with portfolio construction, asset allocation, liquidity management, and pacing analysis.
- Provide leadership in evaluating new investment opportunities and strategic initiatives.
- Support long‑term planning for endowment and operating portfolios, including risk budgeting and scenario analysis.
- Oversee investment reporting, performance measurement, and portfolio analytics.
Compliance, Reporting & Governance
- Oversee compliance reporting, investment policy adherence, and manager guideline monitoring.
- Coordinate quarterly and annual reporting for internal management and System members.
- Ensure timely and accurate communication of investment updates, performance results, and risk considerations.
- Support implementation and maintenance of investment management software programs.
Leadership & Team Development
- Provide mentorship and guidance to the Director, Associate, and other team members.
- Support a culture of humility, intellectual rigor, and disciplined decision‑making.
- Represent TAMUS professionally in manager meetings, consultant interactions, conferences, and external engagements.
- Serve as a senior voice in internal discussions, helping shape investment office priorities and processes.
Banking & Cash Management
- Assist with oversight of banking relationships, cash management functions, and short‑term investment programs.
- Coordinate communication and reporting with System members regarding cash and investment activities.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Economics, or related field.
- Master’s degree in business preferred.
- CPA or CFA / IA strongly preferred.
Experience
- Ten years of experience in finance and/or investments.
- Experience overseeing investment activities and managing external managers.
- Proficiency with spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation software.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in banking and investments.
- Experience at a university, endowment, foundation, or institution of higher education.
- Experience within TAMUS or another Texas‑based allocator.
- Proven ability to prepare and present reports to senior leadership.
- Experience coordinating investment manager selection and evaluation.
- Familiarity with private markets, public markets, and multi‑asset investment programs.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to analyze and summarize financial information clearly and concisely.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
- Ability to multi‑task and work cooperatively with others.
- High integrity, sound judgment, and leadership presence.
Other Requirements
- Ability to represent TAMUS professionally in external interactions.
- Ability to oversee investment programs and cash management functions.
- Commitment to mission‑driven investing and long‑term stewardship.
- Ability to operate effectively in a lean, high‑performance team.
Search Contact
Paul Olschwanger Founder, Wendell Rhoads Consulting paul@wendellrhoads.com
Message from Allocator Jobs: To help prepare you for this role, take a look at the Institutional Allocator (IA) program from our partnership organization, the Allocator Training Institute. The IA program curriculum gives you a solid foundation of investing from the allocator’s perspective. You’ll learn how to evaluate investment managers, create an ‘endowment-model’ multi-asset class portfolio, and the quantitative tools necessary to succeed in the role. The three-part program can be completed in less than one year and exams are available every quarter-end month. This is the program that will help you start and then accelerate your allocator career. Reach out if you have any questions.
