Asset Management – Operational Sales Support recruitment

Investment Management hires third party managers, from Mercer Investment Consultancy's list of A rated managers in each asset class thus combining Mercer's in-house portfolio management expertise with the depth and breadth of Mercer Investment Consultancy's global investment manager research.  The Investment Management fund range launched in Europe in September 2006 and currently consists of 47 Irish domiciled funds across 4 differing legal structures (UCITS, PIF, QIF QIF CCF).
   
At the heart of Mercer’s Investment Management Business are the following initiatives:

•    Investment management (IM) only solutions e.g. delegated manager selection for single sleeve asset classes such as alternatives invested into Mercer Funds.
•    Implemented consulting solutions (IC) – this service bundles proactive investment consulting advice with manager selection and implementation.
•    Mercer Dynamic De-Risking Solution (MDDS) which aims to manage pension schemes along a path to full funding (or some other funding target) and has arisen from a need to provide governance frameworks that will allow trustees to lock in market gains and protect against downside equity risk

Our Investment Management business has over $45bn in assets under management globally. In Europe, the business was launched in late 2006 and as at the end of October 2011 has assets under management of $10 billion.

With increasing burdens being placed on Trustees (regulatory, more complexity, cost pressures etc), we believe that the market for implemented investment solutions will continue to grow rapidly over the coming years and this is a unique opportunity to join the team that will be at the forefront of this market for Mercer in Europe.

Summary of MIM Operations Team:

The MIM Ops team currently consists of 16 team members. There are 3 sub teams, which all report into the MIM  COO for Europe :

•    A Dublin based Head of Operations, Ireland
•    A Dublin based Day to Day Operations team currently consisting of 6
•    A Dublin based New Fund Launch Team currently consisting of 3
•    A London based Head of Operations, London
•    A London based MDDS Operations team currently consisting of 3
•    A London based Client Take on Specialist
•    1 x Project based Resource currently working on the implementation of a new business proposition

As the IM business in EMEA continues to grow at pace, we are looking to recruit an Operations Sales Support professional to support continued business growth.  This person will work closely with the sales team and consultants.  Successful candidates will thrive in a fast-paced environment with a broad scope of responsibilities, working with ad-hoc teams of internal stakeholders.  It is likely that a certain amount of travel will be involved as part of this role.
The key aspects of this role will include:

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

•    Liaise with sales and client service teams to complete RFP’s, managing deadlines, coordinating responses. The individual will support the Sales Team in the development of RFP submissions and presentations from an operational perspective that are on target, polished and professional, and make a strong contribution to winning business. 
•    Streamline the RFP process for better discipline and delivery and ensure a databank of Operational RFP responses are centrally stored and managed.
•    Input to sales presentations on all operational aspects from fund structure to operating model.
•    Assist with scoping the operational model and service deliverables and influencing the operational design and ensuring that all non-standard elements are highlighted from a risk and cost perspective. This may involve:
-    New market entry
-    Related tax and regulatory requirements
-    Large client bespoke solutions
•    Be the main day to day contact between sales and operations teams and respond to all sales and client service queries relating to sales opportunities/new business wins
•    Ensure sales team is kept updated on key operational issues affecting clients
•    Contribute to operational sales effectiveness by establishing relationships with the Sales Team and Consultants and co-ordinating every day interactions dealing with prioritisation, queries and general information sharing.
•    As the client moves from potential to win, liaise with both the New Product Team and the BAU team to ensure a smooth transition to implementation phase.
•    Work closely with the Chief Operating Officers and Heads of Operations to ensure that all non-standard and/or new processes are sufficiently managed and controlled from a risk perspective.
•    As Mercer enters new markets, provide input and support in all aspects including tax and regulatory requirements liaising with our internal legal and compliance departments.
•    Answer ad hoc requests and assist with special projects as needed; for example, budget process, other sales initiatives.

2.    Reporting / Key relationships

•    Reports to Head of Operations, Ireland
•    Works closely and in partnership with all internal teams – Operations, Investments, Sales along with the Client Service Manager and related Client Support team
•    Works closely with other Lines of Business – all levels
•    Works closely with any third party service providers as applicable

3.    Skills and experience

•    A graduate with at least 7 - 10 years experience in Investment Management or Fund Administration.
•    Excellent knowledge of fund structures, parties to the fund, differing fund types, investment markets and the pension industry.
•    Excellent understanding of regulatory and legal structures in relation to the Irish funds industry.
•    Ideally a good working knowledge of the tax implications of the various fund structures.
•    Experience of working in an Investment House that supported segregated mandates.
•    Knowledge of and experience of entering new markets would be an advantage.
•    Professional and proactive approach to work.
•    Strong project management skills with the ability to work on multiple projects, communicate and manage timelines and responsibilities to ensure accurate delivery of a product, while adhering to strict deadlines and producing quality work, in a fast-paced environment.
•    The ability to own, manage and drive large projects forward and co-ordinate all parties both internal and external at all levels.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with internal and external clients at all levels.
•    Adept at building and sustaining strong internal and external relationships at all levels.
•    Ability to work effectively within a small, fast growing team.
•    Understanding of operational and reputational risks in an investment management house and the operational control environment required to manage these risks.
•    Engaging and approachable / proactive with a pleasant style.
•    Excellent communications skills.
•    Fluent English essential.
•    Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office applications.
•    Willingness to travel.

Qualifications:

•          Graduate/ graduate calibre