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.

$161,700
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+15% projected 2024–2034
Bachelor's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Investment fund managers oversee pools of money from investors, making strategic decisions about where to invest those assets to generate returns. They spend their days analyzing market trends, researching potential investments like stocks, bonds, or real estate, and deciding when to buy or sell holdings within their fund. They monitor economic indicators, read financial reports, and meet with company executives or industry analysts to gather information that informs their investment choices.

Much of their work happens in office environments, often at investment firms, banks, or asset management companies. They collaborate with research analysts and traders to execute their investment strategies, while also communicating regularly with clients or stakeholders about fund performance and market conditions. Investment fund managers prepare detailed reports explaining their decisions and the fund's returns, and they must stay current on regulatory requirements governing investment activities.

Success in this role requires strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex financial data quickly. They need discipline to stick with long-term strategies even during market volatility, along with excellent judgment for assessing risk versus potential reward. The position demands continuous learning since markets evolve constantly, and managers must adapt their approaches to changing economic conditions while remaining accountable to the investors who trust them with their money.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA
$216,287
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Vanderbilt University, TN
$154,552
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Southern Methodist University, TX
$126,888
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI
$122,802
Finance and Financial Management Services(bachelors)University of Pennsylvania, PA
$122,698
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Xavier University, OH
$119,834
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Northeastern University Professional Programs, MA
$119,202
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Northeastern University, MA
$119,202
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Boston College, MA
$117,278
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)University of Florida, FL
$116,367
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Harvard University, MA
$111,894
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Georgetown University, DC
$110,674
Finance and Financial Management Services(postbacc-cert)North Carolina State University at Raleigh, NC
$107,359
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Tulane University of Louisiana, LA
$107,341
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)University of Miami, FL
$107,285
Finance and Financial Management Services(bachelors)Georgetown University, DC
$106,218
Accounting(grad-cert)Babson College, MA
$104,613
Finance and Financial Management Services(bachelors)Washington University in St Louis, MO
$102,814
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Clark University, MA
$102,476
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)College of Our Lady of the Elms, MA
$102,476
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Suffolk University, MA
$102,476
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Brandeis University, MA
$102,476
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)University of Massachusetts-Boston, MA
$102,476
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, MA
$102,476
Finance and Financial Management Services(masters)Creighton University, NE
$102,314

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