Director, Agriculture Research & Strategy

Director, Agriculture Research & Strategy
Location(s): Whippany, NJ
Setting: Hybrid
Reports to: VP Research II
Travel: 10% to 15%
MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. We're united by our purpose to help our customers and each other create a confident future; we're guided by empathy; and we're inspired by each other to make a difference in the lives of our coworkers, customers, communities, and the world at large. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
The Team You Will Join:
MetLife Investment Management (MIM) is a premier asset manager with breadth across various asset sectors and global markets, and strong asset-liability management capabilities. With $587.5 billion in assets under management, MIM is one of the largest institutional investment managers in the world. MIM's Agricultural Finance Group ranks among the most active private agricultural, agribusiness and timberland mortgage providers in North America, supporting capital markets and global food security with an agricultural mortgage loan portfolio of $21 Billion. MIM sources agricultural investments through five regional offices in the U.S. and a consulting office in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Opportunity:
The Director of Agricultural Research and Strategy role is high profile and critical to the success of MIM's Agricultural Finance business. The Director assists with the development and communication of investment strategy for the agricultural investments of all MIM agricultural finance clients, provides underwriting analysis and contributes significantly to the effort to build and enhance MIM's Agricultural Finance business' industry recognition through research publication and external industry leadership. The portfolios directly influenced by this role currently total $21 Billion in assets under management, with average annual transaction activity of over $3 Billion. Around 100 associates in the Agricultural Finance business regularly leverage the guidance produced by this function in the origination and management of agricultural investments.
How You'll Help Us Build a Confident Future (Key Responsibilities):

• The Director will assist in directly communicating MIM's market views/outlook and investment strategy to both internal and external clients. This occurs through in person communication of market views through quarterly client presentations, and through written market analysis prepared and delivered directly to clients or in quarterly portfolio reporting. Further, the role is a secondary point of contact for client questions regarding emerging market trends, portfolio exposures/risks, and other topical issues that regularly emerge.
• Solidify and enhance MIM Agricultural Finance's recognition as a leader in industry. The Director contributes significantly to the production of insightful, externally-distributed, MIM-branded, sector research publications. The role also regularly lead-authors publication in key industry trade journals and other high-profile media outlets (i.e., WSJ, Bloomberg, etc.). The Director may speak at key industry conferences and events.
• The Director provides significant support for the development and communication of investment strategy for agricultural investments, in support of the Agricultural Strategies Group and regional investment teams. This occurs directly through leadership of market and strategy discussions during recurring weekly, monthly, quarterly and semi-annual meetings that include Ag portfolio teams and other MIM senior management.
• The Director is responsible for transforming third party and market data into actionable insights. The Director provides input on assessing the data resources available for support of research, strategy and investment underwriting purposes.
• The Director produces guidance that ensures consistent and supported underwriting assumptions for agricultural investments, thus assisting in management of portfolio risk. The Director leads regular updates of commodity price guidance reports both domestically and internationally.
• The Director is regularly tapped to lead key projects and assessments that require a high level of agricultural portfolio and investment expertise.

What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications):

• Master's degree or higher in agriculture, economics, finance or investments and 5+ years of relevant work experience preferable
• Candidate should have excellent analytical, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing with all levels of management.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task in fast-paced work environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Benefits We Offer:
Our U.S. benefit programs are geared toward health and wellness, financial protection, and retirement savings. In addition to comprehensive health coverage including medical/prescription drug, dental, vision, and no-cost short- and long-term disability benefits also include:

• Retirement plan (cash balance pension) with a minimum monthly contribution regardless of an employee's pay and 401(k) with employer matching
• Company-paid life insurance and legal services, and discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs
• Expert support for medical second opinions, cancer care navigation, diabetes and hypertension, weight loss/fitness, joint and spine health, caregiving, and more
• Generous paid time off, including a floating cultural heritage day
• Paid volunteer time off and charitable contribution match
• Tuition assistance
• Family benefits including paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy assistance, child and eldercare support, college advising program

Note:

• Equal Employment Opportunity/Disability/Veterans
• If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected] . This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
• MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.