Occupation · SOC 11-3031.03
Investment Fund Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.
Median wage
$161,700
$86,490–—
Projected growth
+14.8%
Faster than average
Annual openings
12,880
per year
Employed (US)
818,620
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
365 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningWritingMonitoringSystems AnalysisMathematicsTime ManagementSystems EvaluationPersuasionCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessNegotiationInstructingService OrientationManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignOperations MonitoringProgrammingQuality Control AnalysisTroubleshootingScienceRepairingOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Economics and AccountingEnglish LanguageMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsSales and MarketingEducation and TrainingCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyHistory and ArcheologyGeographyTelecommunicationsSociology and AnthropologyAdministrativeProduction and ProcessingTransportationEngineering and TechnologyPublic Safety and SecurityMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingPhysicsPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageDesignBiologyFine ArtsChemistryMechanicalFood ProductionBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCAD Blue SkyFinancial accounting softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft MapPointMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Power BIMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordOracle HyperionOracle Hyperion PlanningPortfolio analysis softwareReadSoftRisk analysis softwareSAP softwareSASStatistical analysis softwareStructured query language SQLSunGard Financial Systems AddVantageTableauWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Getting InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsProcessing InformationWorking with ComputersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationThinking CreativelyInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDocumenting/Recording InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsSelling or Influencing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersCoaching and Developing OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicStaffing Organizational UnitsAssisting and Caring for OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Investment fund fundamentals — demonstrate understanding of portfolio construction principles under the guidance of senior managers in an institutional fund environment.Financial data and market reports — read and summarize with accuracy to support senior analysts conducting company or industry research.Spreadsheet and business intelligence tools — apply to organize and present portfolio holdings data under supervision in a professional asset management setting.Risk and return concepts — identify basic tradeoffs when reviewing existing investment mixes as part of a structured onboarding program at an investment firm.Trade execution platforms — assist in entering and confirming trades under direct supervision in compliance with established fund protocols.Client-facing investment materials — draft initial versions of fund performance summaries and fee disclosures under editorial review by senior fund managers.Regulatory and compliance guidelines — follow established procedures when handling fund documentation within a legally governed investment management firm.Quantitative analysis techniques — apply foundational mathematics and accounting principles to evaluate individual securities as assigned by portfolio managers.Security valuation models — use pre-built templates to calculate basic valuations under the direction of experienced investment professionals.Fund investment policies — review and interpret existing policy documents to support implementation tasks assigned by senior investment managers.
developing
Equity and fixed-income securities — analyze using fundamental and quantitative research methods to recommend additions or removals from a fund portfolio with reduced oversight.Portfolio risk metrics — monitor regularly and flag deviations from target risk parameters, ensuring alignment with stated fund investment goals.Investment mix selection — evaluate and propose specific asset allocations within defined mandate guidelines for review by the lead portfolio manager.Detailed company and industry analyses — conduct independently using financial statements, market data, and economic indicators to inform valuation decisions.Trade execution decisions — coordinate with trading desks to select and direct execution of orders within established fund strategy and compliance frameworks.Fund performance statistics — compile and present clearly to client audiences, including explanation of risks and fee structures in investor briefings.Security valuation policies — apply consistently across assigned portfolio segments and flag inconsistencies to senior management for resolution.Financial forecasting models — build and maintain using spreadsheet and BI software to support ongoing portfolio management in a multi-asset fund environment.Market and macroeconomic developments — synthesize through active reading and critical analysis to identify emerging opportunities or risks for the fund.Time-sensitive investment decisions — manage competing priorities effectively while maintaining attention to detail and compliance in a fast-paced fund operations environment.
proficient
Investment fund portfolio — manage end-to-end across full market cycles to maximize risk-adjusted returns for institutional or retail clients with full autonomy.Fund investment strategies — develop and implement comprehensive frameworks aligned with client mandates, market conditions, and regulatory requirements.Security selection process — lead across asset classes using rigorous proprietary research, valuation models, and macroeconomic analysis within a diversified investment fund.Non-routine portfolio risk scenarios — diagnose and resolve using systems analysis and inductive reasoning to protect fund performance in volatile market environments.Valuation policy frameworks — design, implement, and monitor across the full fund, ensuring consistent application and alignment with industry standards and regulatory expectations.Cross-functional investment research — direct and synthesize from internal analysts, external advisors, and data platforms to support high-conviction investment decisions.Complex client investment presentations — deliver with clarity and persuasion, articulating performance attribution, risk exposures, and forward strategy to sophisticated stakeholders.Trade execution strategy — evaluate and direct optimal execution approaches, managing market impact and transaction costs for large-scale fund operations.Investment mandate compliance — oversee continuously across all holdings, ensuring portfolio adherence to stated fund objectives, legal constraints, and ESG or other overlay criteria.Emerging market intelligence — integrate proactively into fund strategy by applying active learning habits and broad knowledge of economics, law, and global capital markets.
advanced
Firm-wide investment philosophy — define and champion across all funds and investment teams, setting the intellectual direction for an entire asset management organization.Fund investment policies — author and institutionalize at the organizational level, ensuring governance structures support disciplined execution across diverse market environments.Senior investment talent — identify, mentor, and develop a high-performing culture of rigorous research, ethical judgment, and continuous improvement within the firm.Capital allocation strategy — direct at the enterprise level, balancing fund mandates, client expectations, and market opportunity to optimize long-term organizational performance.Institutional and high-net-worth client relationships — lead strategically, communicating fund vision, performance results, and risk philosophy to boards, consultants, and allocators.Organizational risk management frameworks — design and oversee firm-wide, embedding valuation, monitoring, and compliance systems that exceed regulatory and fiduciary standards.Industry thought leadership — produce and present through white papers, conferences, and media to shape market discourse and elevate the firm's intellectual brand.Cross-asset class investment innovation — lead exploration of new strategies, instruments, and technologies that expand the firm's competitive capabilities across global markets.Executive-level stakeholder alignment — coordinate with boards of directors, regulators, and strategic partners to ensure the fund organization's mission and governance remain sound.Succession and organizational scaling — architect talent pipelines and institutional knowledge systems that sustain investment excellence and continuity across leadership transitions.
Also known as
23 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Annual Fund ManagerAsset Management ManagerAsset Management Project ManagerAsset ManagerDigital Asset ManagerFinancial Planning and Analysis Finance ManagerFinancial Planning and Analysis ManagerFinancial Planning DirectorFinancial Planning ManagerFixed Income Portfolio ManagerFixed Income Vice President (Fixed Income VP)Fund Administrator (Fund Admin)Hedge Fund ManagerInstitutional Asset ManagerInvestment Analysis Vice President (Investment Analysis VP)Investment Banking DirectorInvestment Fund ManagerInvestment ManagerInvestments ManagerMutual Fund ManagerPension Fund ManagerPortfolio ManagerWealth Manager