Cliffwater Welcomes Sean Murray as New Head of Retirement Solutions Team

Cliffwater, an esteemed player in private markets interval fund management, recently made headlines with the announcement of Sean Murray's appointment as the Head of Retirement Solutions. This strategic move is poised to significantly bolster Cliffwater's commitment to enhancing its retirement channel capabilities, aimed at expanding the firm’s offerings within the ever-evolving landscape of retirement planning.

Sean Murray brings with him an impressive portfolio of over 30 years of experience in the retirement industry. His most recent role was as the Head of Strategic Partnerships Workplace Solutions at Goldman Sachs, where he played a pivotal role in focusing on retirement-related offerings and championing the inclusion of private markets within defined contribution plans. Murray's previous leadership stints at PIMCO, BlackRock, and Envestnet have equipped him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise that aligns perfectly with Cliffwater's goals.

In expressing his enthusiasm about this new role, Sean stated, "I'm excited to continue increasing the role of private markets in retirement plans alongside an innovator in the space like Cliffwater. I believe the firm is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of this evolution." This ambition reflects the growing recognition of the importance of including private market alternatives within retirement plans, an area of increasing demand as investors seek to diversify their portfolios.

Cliffwater’s CEO, Stephen Nesbitt, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing Sean's valuable experience across the retirement landscape, which he believes makes Murray a critical asset for the firm. “His expertise aligns closely with our strategic priorities,” added Nesbitt, highlighting the firm’s commitment to fostering top-notch talent as they expand their platform and capabilities.

This appointment is part of a wider strategy that has seen Cliffwater bolster its leadership team, hiring seven new Managing Directors or higher within the past year alone. Each of these new hires boasts an average of 18 years of experience across various teams, including investment and distribution, underscoring the firm’s focus on attracting seasoned professionals who can drive its vision forward.

About Cliffwater

Cliffwater LLC, founded in 2004, has established itself as a respected independent alternative investment adviser and fund manager. The firm has redefined how alternative investments are perceived and accessed, using a combination of extensive research, proprietary indices, and innovative evergreen private markets funds. Their research initiatives have not only made significant impacts, having been cited in leading industry publications, but have also resulted in the creation of groundbreaking tools such as the Cliffwater Direct Lending Index (CDLI) — the first widely accepted benchmark for direct lending. Recently, Cliffwater’s private markets interval fund platform emerged as the largest in the market, boasting net assets of $44.5 billion as of March 31, 2026, which includes the two largest credit interval funds.

With Sean Murray at the helm of their Retirement Solutions, Cliffwater is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of retirement planning and actively contribute to shaping the future of private markets in this domain. The firm’s continuous growth and innovation highlight its commitment to providing comprehensive solutions that meet the evolving needs of investors in the retirement sector.

For more information, visit Cliffwater's official website.