Stories by Suzanne Cosgrove and Trilbe Wynne
Illustration by Peter Hoey | Design and development by Patrick Roth
Companies are ranked No. 1 through No. 5 and then listed alphabetically.
100-499 employees
1
Clearbridge Investments
Headquarters: New York City
AUM: $149.4 billion as of June 30
Employees: 213
Years won: 2012-2020
Popular perks: Provides sit-stand desks and stretch demonstrations by fitness instructors.
Employees say: “Great leadership that cares for the employee and the quality of the work provided.”
2
Income–Research & Management
Headquarters: Boston
AUM: $81.4 billion as of June 30
Employees: 180
Years won: 2016-2020
Popular perks: Granted three extra days of vacation to be taken in May or June to combat burnout during work from home because of COVID-19.
Employees say: “Even in a pandemic, I still feel connected to and cared for by my co-workers while working from home.”
3
Intercontinental–Real Estate
Headquarters: Boston
AUM: $10.4 billion as of June 30
Employees: 110
Years won: 2016-2020
Popular perks: Promotes a healthy work life balance with an on-site company gym and complimentary wellness and athletic training classes.
Employees say: “Leadership has handled the COVID pandemic with grace and supported employees in a way that is above and beyond the call of a corporate employer.”
4
Mesirow–Financial
Headquarters: Chicago
AUM: $32.3 billion as of June 30
Employees: 276
Years won: 2013, 2015, 2020
Popular perks: Offers a student loan debt repayment program designed to assist employees with the growing challenge of student debt.
Employees say: “Mesirow does a great job championing the needs of our clients alongside the well-being of its employees.”
5
Harbert Management
Headquarters: Birmingham, Ala.
AUM: $7.7 billion as of June 30
Employees: 147
Years won: 2019, 2020
Popular perks: The employee-run HERO Foundation provides direct financial or other appropriate assistance to individuals or families in crisis.
Employees say: “It is a hardworking, hard-driving place that is focused on growth and providing great investment returns.”
—
Adams–Street Partners
Headquarters: Chicago
AUM: $41 billion as of June 30
Employees: 170
Years won: 2018-2020
Popular perks: The company arranges access to multiple community volunteer events, including an annual day of service.
Employees say: “The culture of collaboration is really genuine and impressive.”
—
Advent International
Headquarters: Boston
AUM: $58.4 billion as of June 30
Employees: 203
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: The company offers family-friendly benefits that include adoption assistance, caregiver travel, parental career coaching and mentoring, fertility benefits and backup child care.
Employees say: “They care about you as a person and not just as an employee.”
—
Ariel–Investments
Headquarters: Chicago
AUM: $11.4 billion as of June 30
Employees: 101
Years won: 2017, 2020
Popular perks: Ariel pays 100% of all health-care premiums – medical, dental, vision, long- and short-term disability insurance.
Employees say: “Many firms values are aspirational. Ariel Investments lives their values everyday.”
—
Beach Point Capital Management
Headquarters: Santa Monica, Calif.
AUM: $13.7 billion as of June 30
Employees: 112
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Offers opportunities for continued learning, including employee development and cross-training.
Employees say: “The co-CEOs send a weekly firmwide note celebrating employees’ achievements in and outside of work — from hard work behind the scenes in accounting to teacher certification in yoga — that connect an individual's daily work to a shared mission.”
—
Brandywine Global Investment Management
Headquarters: Philadelphia
AUM: $65.1 billion as of June 30
Employees: 215
Years won: 2013, 2016-2020
Popular perks: Local sponsor of Women in Investing, a group that seeks to promote and support the learning, development and advancement of women in the investment management business.
Employees say: “Aside from really competitive benefits and pay, the company is clearly always making an effort to make sure employees enjoy the working environment here.”
—
Busey Wealth Management
Headquarters: Urbana, Ill.
AUM: $9 billion as of June 30
Employees: 134
Years won: 2018-2020
Popular perks: In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Busey began offering an associate assistance fund in mid-May that is available through a confidential request process.
Employees say: “The organization finds ways to allow us to have some fun and express our individuality.”
—
California–State Teachers' Retirement System
Headquarters: West Sacramento, Calif.
AUM: $246 billion as of June 30
Employees: 184
Years won: 2013, 2016-2020
Popular perks: Offers a wide range of in-house training programs and courses to fit all stages of a staff member’s career.
Employees say: “CalSTRS promotes work/life balance and gives you an opportunity to grow and move forward with your career.”
—
Cohen & Steers
Headquarters: New York City
AUM: $66.3 billion as of June 30
Employees: 301
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Employees are able to sign off early each Friday during the summer to help maintain work-life balance and strong mental health.
Employees say: “Firm is structured such that no single person or group is required to perform a single task repetitively.”
—
Conning
Headquarters: Hartford, Conn.
AUM: $180 billion as of June 30
Employees: 261
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: The firm has decades-old employee traditions that include a Reindeer Games holiday celebration featuring employee-cooked breakfast and games such as mini-golf and Family Feud.
Employees say: “I truly feel valued as an employee and know as a millennial that the company is invested in seeing my growth.”
—
DiMeo–Schneider & Associates
Headquarters: Chicago
AUA: $195 billion as of June 30
Employees: 180
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Wellness programs allow for reimbursement of up to $900 annually, with funds that can be used for health club memberships, relaxation needs or even golf clubs.
Employees say: “The organization proved they care about the safety of their workers during the coronavirus pandemic by extending work from home and communicating clearly.”
—
Fort–Washington Investment Advisors
Headquarters: Cincinnati
AUM: $64.8 billion as of June 30
Employees: 142
Years won: 2013-2014, 2016-2020
Popular perks: The company covers all out-of-pocket expenses related to COVID-19 testing and associated doctor visits, including related telemedicine visits.
Employees say: “Fort Washington demonstrates that it genuinely cares about its associates every day. I feel like my contributions are valued through formal and informal recognition and my compensation.”
—
GCM Grosvenor
Headquarters: Chicago
AUM: $55 billion as of June 30
Employees: 444
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Employees offered reimbursement of up to $500 for the cost of IT-related equipment used while working remotely.
Employees say: “Always, but especially during the COVID-19 situation, they have shown that the health and safety of their employees are their No. 1 priority.”
—
Hamilton–Lane Advisors
Headquarters: Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
AUM: $516 billion as of June 30
Employees: 308
Years won: 2012-2020
Popular perks: To encourage a healthy work-life balance, the company offers early office close on summer Fridays.
Employees say: “Direct supervisors give many opportunities to invoke an entrepreneurial spirit — one of the few distinct qualities that sets the firm apart from others in the money management business.”
—
Harrison–Street Real Estate Capital
Headquarters: Chicago
AUM: $29 billion as of June 30
Employees: 153
Years won: 2014-2020
Popular perks: Offers 16 weeks of paid parental leave for mothers and fathers, as well as a dependent care and transit-matching program.
Employees say: “The flexibility and understanding of the personal responsibilities of people with families and children is exceptional relative to other firms in the industry.”
—
LaSalle–Investment Management
Headquarters: Chicago
AUM: $65.7 billion as of June 30
Employees: 310
Years won: 2013, 2016-2020
Popular perks: Hosts a Growth Through Inclusion program, founded in 2014, with a goal to develop and increase readiness for diverse employees to take on leadership roles.
Employees say: “The firm has created a very strong culture and that starts at the top.”
—
Legal & General–Investment Management America
Headquarters: Chicago
AUM: $212 billion as of June 30
Employees: 220
Years won: 2018-2020
Popular perks: Offers a student loan pay-down program. The company will make direct contributions to employees’ student loans at $100 per month to help employees reduce debt and save for the future.
Employees say: “Leaders listen and are open to ideas and suggestions. During the COVID crisis, LGIMA has handled everything really well and kept us informed.”
—
PanAgora–Asset Management
Headquarters: Boston
AUM: Not available
Employees: 138
Years won: 2018-2020
Popular perks: Promotes teamwork through group philanthropic events by sponsoring an employee team and providing T-shirts for the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge and hosting a staff party to gather donations for the “Walker Wishes” toy drive.
Employees say: “The company is an advocate for promoting from within, which is a driving factor in retaining talent long term.”
—
PineBridge–Investments
Headquarters: New York City
AUM: $104.4 billion as of June 30
Employees: 272
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: In response to COVID-19, the company doubled the number of allowable 2020 vacation days and extended the carry-over timeline so that the days can be used at any point during 2021.
Employees say: “The firm goes out of the way to hold team-building activities — whether social, or charitable, ‘coffee chats’ with senior leaders or ‘lunch and learns’ on a wide range of topics.”
—
Resolute Investment Managers
Headquarters: Irving, Texas
AUM: $92.2 billion as of June 30
Employees: 122
Years won: 2019-2020
Popular perks: Full employment with no salary reduction for all employees while they worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employees say: “I feel like particularly in this time of uncertainty and fear, this company has looked out for employees and their mental, physical and financial well-being.”
—
Schroder–Investment Management North America
Headquarters: New York City
AUM: $649.6 billion as of June 30
Employees: 326
Years won: 2018-2020
Popular perks: At least once a year, sponsors a “Kid’s Day” where parents can bring their children to the office for an afternoon of pizza and entertainment.
Employees say: “I feel like I am part of a family instead of just a number or a workhorse. I have no desire to ever leave the firm and (I am) hoping to stay until I retire.”
—
SLC Management
Headquarters: Wellesley Hills, Mass.
AUM: $193 billion as of June 30
Employees: 192
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Launched a new paid family and medical leave program in January, which includes 24 weeks of paid family leave for a birth parent (eight weeks of paid medical leave for childbirth recovery and 16 weeks of paid family leave for bonding).
Employees say: “Strong focus on creating a high-performing culture that supports diversity and inclusion and is client obsessed.”
—
Stockbridge–Capital Group
Headquarters: San Francisco
AUM: $17.6 billion as of June 30
Employees: 118
Years won: 2020
Popular perks: Champions a family-friendly work environment with fully or partially paid leave for the birth of a child, adoption assistance, flexible hours to accommodate school events or doctor visits, free or discounted tickets to entertainment or sporting events and other perks.
Employees say: “Stockbridge have created a culture that encourages and promotes leadership, creativity and inclusion.”
—
Westwood Holdings Group
Headquarters: Dallas
AUM: $11.9 billion as of June 30
Employees: 142
Years won: 2014-2020
Popular perks: Makes 401(k) program available on the first day of hire. Company matches 6%. Any contributions or matches are vested at 100%; an additional 1% is matched for contributions 7% or above to individuals earning less than $125,000 per fiscal year.
Employees say: “Westwood makes you feel valued and a person, not a number.”
—
William–Blair Investment Management
Headquarters: Chicago
AUM: $61.7 billion as of June 30
Employees: 316
Years won: 2012-2013, 2015-2020
Popular perks: Offers a 3:1 match for charities that promote inclusion, racial equality and social justice.
Employees say: “They work to promote an inclusive environment where all feel welcome and help each employee still feel unique and important.”
—
WisdomTree Asset Management
Headquarters: New York City
AUM: $57.6 billion as of June 30
Employees: 139
Years won: 2015-2017, 2020
Popular perks: Offers complimentary fitness apps, meditation, yoga, and virtual sessions with a wellness guru.
Employees say: “Executives look at each employee as a person, and try to provide support to each as their own individual.”
