AUM: $284 billion
Employees: 1,522
Employee ownership, said George Walker, chairman and CEO of Neuberger Berman, "enables (the firm) to take a long-term perspective on decision-making and career expectations."
"It's really a global effort," Mr. Walker said, noting that some of the firm's most senior professionals are leading overseas offices, a practice that helps ensure the spread of that perspective.
About 25% of Neuberger employees are owners because of their tenure or role, he said.
This year marks Neuberger's fifth appearance in Pensions & Investments' Best Places to Work in Money Management program.
Neuberger's new headquarters in New York, opened in fall 2016, has "really enhanced collaboration and quality of life for our employees,'' Mr. Walker said. "It's made working together a lot easier. ... The mood for the company really emanates from here."
One employee picked up on the ease of communication, noting that "everyone has an open-door policy and you can call or walk to the trading floor to speak to any senior portfolio managers."
Employees in New York and around the world put extra effort into volunteer programs every May, in celebration of the firm's reemergence as an independent company in 2009 after spinning off from Lehman Brothers.
Of course, employees also like the firm's 15% 401(k) contribution, calling it "top notch" and the firm's 12-week maternity leave "impressive."
"This is an organization that holds high standards of quality of work and reputation making it a very appealing to work and do business with," said one employee. "There are many benefits, including investment solutions for employees to plan for their future and any point in their lives."
