Business Development Associate - Dubai

About AQR Capital Management 

AQR is a global investment firm built at the intersection of financial theory and practical application. We strive to deliver concrete, long-term results by looking past market noise to identify and isolate the factors that matter most, and by developing ideas that stand up to rigorous testing. By putting theory into practice, we have become a leader in alternative strategies and an innovator in traditional portfolio management since 1998.

At AQR, our employees share a common spirit of academic excellence, intellectual honesty and an unwavering commitment to seeking the truth. We’re determined to know what makes financial markets tick – and we’ll ask every question and challenge every assumption.  We recognize and respect the power of collaboration, and believe transparency and openness to new ideas leads to innovation.

The Team

AQR is looking to hire a full-time Associate to join our EMEA Business Development group, based in Dubai. The group works with AQR’s clients in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East to provide solutions to achieve their investment objectives. AQR clients include a cross-section of the world’s largest institutional investors, such as public and corporate pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and foundations and endowments. AQR also serves the private-wealth community, including independent wealth managers, family offices, and private and locally based banks.

Your Role

Specific responsibilities vary from team to team within Business Development, but generally include some or all of the following:

• Provide support to senior members of the Business Development team whose objective is to build and deepen relationships with investors.
• Develop strong AQR product and asset class knowledge and demonstrate interest in the industry.
• Liaise with other members of Business Development to update marketing materials and leverage the firm’s intellectual capital (e.g., coordinate the distribution of AQR white papers, webinars and analysis).
• Ensure the completion of Requests for Proposal/Information and Due Diligence Questionnaires to a high standard in a timely fashion coordinating with other parts of the business.
• Interact with portfolio managers to help create and maintain up-to-date, high quality presentation materials.
• Act as a point of contact for existing investors and be responsible for marshaling the full resources of the firm to coordinate responses to all investor inquiries.
• Coordinate client meetings and conference calls with investors.
• Act as a central point of contact internally for sustainability related projects and investor inquiries.
• Raise the profile of AQR by proactively taking on opportunities to represent the organization at conferences, seminars and in due course road shows
• Assist the MD in the development and execution of a broader and deeper sales strategy in the Middle East and across Sovereign Wealth Funds Globally
• The successful candidate will be expected to cover a meaningful amount of the Tier 2 and 3  client base within the first 18 months

What You’ll Bring

• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Business or a Science, Quantitative, or Engineering Program from a top university is preferred - MBA/Master’s Degree is a plus
• 3+ years’ of relevant post-undergraduate experience within a professional services environment; financial services, investment management and management consultant backgrounds are a plus.
• High degree of intellectual curiosity.
• High proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel is required.
• Arabic speaker preferred

Who You Are

• Hard working and eager to learn in a highly intellectual, collaborative environment.
• Well-organized and detail-oriented with an ability to project manage and execute effectively with minimal supervision
• Enthusiastic about developing and implementing ideas.
• Self-starter, able to work independently as well as within a team.
• Exceptional analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of finance and the investment management industry.