Alexis, COO / Portfolio Manager at Registered Investment Advisor: Advize Career Interview
This interview with a COO/Portfolio Manager at a Registered Investment Advisor reveals a dynamic career path built on early research internships, culminating in the creation of their own firm and the launch of an ETF. The role demands multifaceted skills, blending analytical prowess with exceptional communication and client management.
A day involves market monitoring, portfolio adjustments, client interaction, media appearances, and compliance.
Success requires strong analytical and interpersonal skills, decisive action, and the ability to navigate emotional investment decisions.
The interviewee emphasizes the importance of practical experience alongside academic knowledge, highlighting the value of early internships and networking.
Patience and unemotional decision-making are key lessons learned, particularly during market downturns.
Undergraduate preparation should involve rigorous academics, practical experience, and strong extracurricular involvement to build time management and leadership capabilities.
This career offers a unique blend of business management and investment portfolio management, impacting both clients' financial lives and the interviewee's own, and promises a highly rewarding and challenging experience.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Alexis Browne
COO / Portfolio Manager
Registered Investment Advisor
Lehigh University 2020
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Economics
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Strategic Management and Executive
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Career Path of a Chief Operating Officer and Portfolio Manager at a Registered Investment Advisor
Alexis's career path began early, with research internships starting at age 16, followed by managing part of Lehigh University's endowment as part of "an exclusive peer group focused on macroeconomics." This experience led to the creation of Alexis Investment Partners five years ago, a firm where Alexis currently serves as COO/Portfolio Manager, and through which they've even launched an ETF.
Main Responsibilities of a Portfolio Manager at a Registered Investment Advisor
Alexis's wide-ranging responsibilities as COO/Portfolio Manager encompass "most of the back office," including trade execution and client service, demonstrating a multifaceted role. This also includes media appearances, discussing topics from "personal finance" to market trends, showcasing expertise beyond operational management.
A Day In The Life Of A Chief Operating Officer And Portfolio Manager At An Investment Advisor
A day for this COO and portfolio manager involves monitoring market activity to inform portfolio adjustments, managing client needs including cash flow analysis, and conducting research for future portfolio strategies. The role also includes "media appearances" and significant compliance tasks, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the position.
Most Important Skills For a Portfolio Manager at a Registered Investment Advisor
Alexis, a COO/Portfolio Manager, highlights the crucial need for both "good analytical skills" to manage portfolios effectively and "good people skills" to communicate with clients and investors. This dual skillset reflects the multifaceted nature of the role, demanding both financial acumen and strong interpersonal abilities.
Favorite Parts of Being a COO and Portfolio Manager at a Registered Investment Advisor
Alexis, a COO/Portfolio Manager, most enjoys the "father-daughter duo" aspect of working with her father, gaining invaluable experience and exposure exceeding what a typical entry-level position offers. The rewarding work includes applying analytical skills to clients' lifetime earnings, building strong relationships described as "family," and navigating challenging yet "very fun" situations.
Biggest Challenges For A Portfolio Manager At A Registered Investment Advisor
Alexis, a COO/Portfolio Manager, identifies the biggest challenge in the role as balancing the "overload of information" with the need for "flexible" decision-making. The key is making "correct decisions" while managing the emotional aspect inherent in investment choices.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Investment Advising As A Portfolio Manager
Alexis enjoys the multifaceted nature of the role, combining "run[ning] a business and also manag[ing] portfolios," allowing for a blend of analytical decision-making and client interaction, ultimately adding value to both clients' and Alexis' own financial lives. The work provides opportunities to leverage communication skills while actively engaging with market dynamics to positively impact investment outcomes.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Investment Advising Industry, According To A Portfolio Manager At A Registered Investment Advisor
Alexis, a COO/Portfolio Manager, highlights the importance of decisive individuals with strong analytical skills—"people who can make decisions effectively and clearly"—combined with excellent communication, crucial for navigating volatile markets and conveying complex information to clients effectively, going beyond simply stating observations to explaining rationale.
What A Portfolio Manager At An Investment Firm Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Financial Services Industry
Alexis, a COO/Portfolio Manager, advises aspiring professionals to temper their academic knowledge with the understanding that "experience really does matter" in the investment industry. The transition from textbook knowledge to real-world decision-making under pressure, as Alexis notes with "making that decision when emotions are high," necessitates a willingness to learn from others and avoid the pitfall of "hubris."
Entry-Level Roles For Aspiring Chief Operating Officers And Portfolio Managers
Alexis, a COO/Portfolio Manager, suggests that undergraduate students interested in the field should pursue internships, ideally starting "freshman summer," focusing on research roles at firms where they envision a career. Securing an internship at a desirable firm is a valuable networking opportunity, Alexis notes.
Significant Career Lesson From a Portfolio Manager at an Investment Advisor
Alexis, a COO/Portfolio Manager, cites patience and effective, unemotional decision-making as crucial lessons learned, especially during the 2018 market drop and the COVID-19 crash; this involved "buying into the dips" and communicating effectively with clients during turbulent times.
College Experiences That Helped A Portfolio Manager At An Investment Advisor Succeed
Alexis's undergraduate experience provided a strong foundation for their career, combining rigorous academics ("honors thesis in macroeconomics," "fellowship in communications") with practical experience ("working...getting some real world experience"). This was further enhanced by involvement in extracurricular activities, including athletic commitments and managing part of the university's endowment, demonstrating strong time management skills and leadership potential.
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