76 money managers go above and beyond

Seventy-six firms — a record number — earned a spot on the 2019 Best Places to Work in Money Management special report produced by Pensions & Investments and its research partner.

In its eighth annual program, P&I worked with Best Companies Group, Harrisburg, Pa., to collect and analyze survey data to identify companies that stood out for their efforts to create a culture that supports employees and brings out their best.

"After eight years, we have heard about amazing perks and benefits being offered by the organizations that are named the best places to work," said P&I Editor Amy B. Resnick. "But it is clear that intentional work being done to create workplaces with common goals, trust and community is more important. This year's winners stand out for their commitment to their people and the communities in which they operate."

"The pressures on asset managers and advisers are not going away, Ms. Resnick added. "These firms know that their employees are the greatest assets they have to meeting those challenges, developing and maintaining a competitive advantage."

In this year's special report, a variety of firms provided insights into how they go about building and maintaining a cohesive, thriving culture.

Firms with a strong corporate culture often share a commitment to being nimble and progressive as the asset management industry evolves, diverse and inclusive, and collaborative in nature — all factors that help employees feel like they can grow and contribute at an organization, industry sources told P&I reporter Danielle Walker.

Employees of Vulcan Value Partners, a three-time winner in the program, praised its culture as much as the top-notch benefits and employer-provided perks. The firm, based in Birmingham, Ala., ranked No. 1 among employers with 50 to 99 U.S. employees.

Vulcan Value Partners "has not only clearly defined its mission and core values, but manages to live and breathe them from bottom to top," one employee wrote. "My/our personal and professional lives are equally valued, recognized and appreciated. We are co-workers and we are friends."

Nearly all of this year's winners also spoke of the role a companywide commitment to philanthropy and community service plays in a healthy culture. In addition to supporting the communities outside of their offices, such work plays a big role in recruiting and retaining employees.

"The firm enjoys doing charity work and gives a lot back to the community," wrote one employee of Income Research & Management, Boston. "I respect the altruism."

Income Research gives employees two paid days off per year for volunteer work and they can apply for a company grant on behalf of their chosen non-profit organization. The firm also matches employees' charitable donations.

Income Research, which placed No. 2 among employers with 100 to 499 employees, has made the winners list four times.

Many other firms are also repeat winners. But only five have been named every year since the program launched in 2012:

Baird Asset Management, Milwaukee.

ClearBridge Investments, New York.

Dana Investment Advisors, Waukesha, Wis.

Hamilton Lane, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

Principal Global Investors, Des Moines, Iowa.

To be named to P&I's Best Places list, all firms met Best Companies' high threshold for inclusion, and are evaluated against others of similar size. Individual firm profiles reflect U.S. employment numbers and were confirmed by Best Companies in the summer. Assets under management or advisement are as of June 30, unless otherwise noted.

To participate, companies had to have at least 20 employees in the U.S., at least $100 million of discretionary assets under management or advisement and be in business for at least one year. An anonymous employee survey, which aimed to evaluate employee engagement and satisfaction, accounted for 75% of a firm's score; an employer survey, which evaluated workplace policies, practices, benefits and demographics, made up 25%.

To learn more about the program and register for notification when the 2020 program opens, visit www.pionline.com/bptw-pi.