Senior Associate/Assistant Vice President, Performance Analytics

Introduction

The Performance Analytics team is part of the QSPA (Quantitative Strategy and Performance Analytics) team within the larger Portfolio Strategy and Risk Group which helps to provide guidance on our strategic direction and portfolio objectives. The Performance Analytics team has 3 key responsibilities:

• Cost of Capital (CoC) Framework:   The team develops, refines and implements, for all our investments, Temasek’s Ccost of Ccapital framework, which both determines the hurdle rates for investment evaluation/performance monitoring and the discount rates used in valuation.
• Certain Annual Performance Metrics:   The team computes the performance of the Temasek portfolio on a bottom-up basis and is responsible for reporting Temasek’s annual “Wealth Added” (total dollar return minus dollar cost of capital), which is audited and officially published in the Temasek Review.  
• Performance Analysis and Enhancement:   The team also helps identify patterns and possible improvements in performance or investment behavior in order to enhance portfolio returns.

The candidate will work closely with senior management, investment groups and various corporate functions to develop and refine performance measurement framework and metrics which are relevant and are aligned with Temasek’s strategic goals. 
 

Responsibilities

The current position focuses on the first 2 of these areas, with the following specific activities:  

1. Cost of Capital Framework

• Develop, review and refine Temasek’s Cost of Capital framework – from understanding how our investment philosophy translates into performance hurdles, to how the framework impacts our investment decisions, and ultimately our performance.   When possible, provide input into how the framework might be modified in the future to encourage investment choices that lead to better results.     
• Review the cost of capital policy and performance measurement framework for equities and other asset classes. Co-leading the development of framework for new asset classes when necessary. This involves extensive study of academic research and market practices with a practical assessment of how these can be applied in Temasek’s context.
• Partner with investment teams to provide ex ante inputs on cost of capital/discount rate parameters and interpretation of expost performance metrics for investments in the Temasek portfolio, Advise investment teams on the appropriate Cost of Capital using approved frameworks across asset classes.

Responsibilities

2. Investment Performance Measurement Metrics 
 

Prepare, review, and verify bottom-up performance numbers for all Temasek’s listed and unlisted assets in preparation for annual “Wealth Added” and “Total Shareholder Return” generation and audit, for publication in the Temasek Review.

Performance Reporting and Data Management 

• Generate performance reports and assist in providing investment performance reports to internal & external stakeholders. 
• Participate actively in provision of performance metrics, analysis and messaging for annual Temasek Review. 
• Partner with investment teams to interpret and analyse expost performance metrics for investments in the Temasek portfolio, understand drivers of portfolio and sub-portfolio returns (absolute and relative), on an ongoing basis in multiple cuts (e.g. security, sector/region, strategy, etc.) to support investment decision-making.
• Manage annual audit requirements on performance metrics.
• Raise, investigate and follow up on issues related to data quality and content of the performance reports. Ensure data accuracy and integrity in performance analytics through collaboration with data governance and technology teams.

Performance Measurement Framework and Methodologies

• Design, implement and enhance the firm’s performance measurement framework across public and private market portfolios. This includes the development and refresh of key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks to evaluate performance across portfolios and asset classes.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices to continuously evolve the performance measurement process. 

Technology Tools and Performance System Management 

• Manage the systematic/automated computation of performance metrics by collaborating with Digital Tech team and in-house engineers. 
• Manage refinements in systems and tools to streamline work processes to continually improve productivity.
• Manage external vendors as needed to enhance use of third-party system/data

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Finance, Business or Accounting, with analytical mindset
• 8-10 years of working experience with at least 2-3 years of experience in investment performance measurement and analytics
• Strong analytical skills with high level of motivation and drive, with strong interest in building career in Finance and/or Performance Measurement and Analytics  
• Strong understanding of portfolio theory, valuation and corporate finance concepts, and investment performance metrics would be a strong plus.
• Ability to work technically and think strategically with strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills is essential
• Ability to work well in a team and take the lead to drive specific projects where necessary
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience using Qliksense, Bloomberg, and Factset would be a strong plus
• Knowledge in a programming language (preferably Python/SQL) would be a plus