Investment Analyst/Associate

Location: Remote; preference for Western US

Reports to: Director of Investments 

Salary: $68k-$80k

Position Type: FTE

Travel: Approximately 10-20%; tailored to project responsibilities

About Blue Forest

Blue Forest is a conservation finance non-profit whose mission is to accelerate the pace and scale of ecological restoration. Since 2018, Blue Forest has managed investor capital through its flagship financial product, the Forest Resilience Bond (FRB), which deploys private capital to finance forest restoration projects on private and public lands to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. More recently, Blue Forest has also established Blue Forest Asset Management (BFAM), an investment management platform connecting investors to compelling, mission-aligned opportunities in a broader set of asset classes beyond FRB projects, such as private equity and private credit investments.  

Blue Forest is an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, foresters, finance and communications professionals. We are harnessing financial innovation and building partnerships with investors, non-profits, private companies, and the public sector to design sustainable solutions to systemic climate resilience challenges faced by vulnerable communities and ecosystems. As we grow and develop new financial solutions to pressing environmental problems, we are committed to promoting social equity and amplifying historically excluded voices in the burgeoning field of conservation finance.

Position Summary

The Investment Analyst/Associate performs financial analysis, market research and reporting on investment opportunities to support Blue Forest Asset Management’s investment activities. This role requires attention to detail, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work independently on multiple projects simultaneously. Workstreams include research, financial modeling, and qualitative and quantitative analytical support across various areas such as private markets investments, portfolio and asset management, and impact and investor reporting. The primary goals of this position at Blue Forest include: (1) evaluate investment opportunities for BFAM and growth opportunities for Blue Forest broadly, and (2) contribute to a reputation of collaboration, diligence, and top-notch analysis on the fast-growing Investment team at Blue Forest. 

Responsibilities & Duties

Investment Due Diligence and Financial Modeling (60%)

• Perform detailed financial analysis of investment opportunities, including building and populating accurate and effective financial models in Microsoft Excel
• Screen potential investments and write clear, concise memos to convey findings to internal audiences, including the Executive Team and Investment Committee
• Support Investment team members in all aspects of due diligence, including market research, reviewing third-party consultant reports, legal document review, and financial due diligence broadly
• Coordinate Blue Forest’s impact strategy for its investment, including impact quantification efforts

Ongoing Investment Management (30%)

• Coordinate ongoing payments flows, such as loan drawdowns, interest payments, etc. (including with third-party service providers as relevant)
• Monitor covenants and other operational elements of deals
• Build and maintain financial models as inputs into the Blue Forest portfolio management function
• Contribute to investor reports and other Blue Forest collateral

Financial Systems and Processes (10%)

• Continuously improve BFAM Investment team policies, procedures, and playbooks
• Execute key portions of business processes, including budgeting, fund portfolio management, and ongoing investment management
• Create and maintain systems, trackers, and processes for the Finance and Investment teams
• Explore new conservation finance products and opportunities, expanding the financial opportunity set for ecosystem restoration

Additional Information

Blue Forest is a remote company with staff distributed in some geographies where we can focus our impact and located across all four continental US time zones. This job is remote; however, due to travel around the Western United States for due diligence, there is a preference for a candidate based in the Western US. The Investment Analyst/Associate will be expected to be online during their respective standard working hours.

Qualifications

Blue Forest will prioritize the following qualifications in the hiring process; however, we only expect candidates to fulfill some criteria and encourage all interested candidates to apply.

• 2+ years of investments and/or financial analysis experience, with experience in some or all of the following areas required:
• Private equity, private credit, structured finance, or project finance;
• Forest products, bioenergy/biofuels, or other forestry- and natural-resource adjacent sectors
• Robust financial modeling and Excel skills are a must!
• Experience with investment transactions, including sourcing, due diligence, modeling, and closing
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout California and the Western US, including in rural and hard-to-reach areas
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Exposure to fixed-income investments and/or forestry and climate finance is a plus
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to environmental conservation and climate resilience

BENEFITS

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; subsidized coverage for dependents
• Access to a 401k retirement plan with a 4% employer match
• Starting 3 weeks paid vacation and 17 paid holidays; paid sick leave and volunteer time
• 3 months of paid family leave
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Access to Dependent Care FSA
• Public Lands Exploration stipend (reimbursements for visits to National Forests, county parks, etc.)
• Monthly Home Office stipend or co-working space provided
• Travel and partial dependant care costs provided for business travel
• Additional stipends for health & wellness; home internet and cell service; and professional development

COVID VACCINE REQUIREMENT

All Blue Forest staff are required to be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines that term. Proof of full vaccination shall be a condition of employment and must be provided prior to starting work, except where prohibited by law. Blue Forest is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and the company will engage in the interactive process regarding reasonable accommodations for candidates who cannot be vaccinated due to a disability/medical condition; a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance; or a claimed exemption under applicable state law.