Investment Operations Senior Associate – Middle Office recruitment
Dimensional is an independently-owned company whose primary business is investment management. This gives the firm flexibility to address clients’ investment needs in creative and powerful ways. Dimensional was founded in 1981 on a set of ideas that revolutionised financial economics: it is possible to add value without trying to pick stocks or bonds or outguess the market. In markets where securities are freely traded, their prices are almost always fairly valued which provides an opportunity for investors to benefit from the natural relationship that exists between risk and return. By systematically focusing on the dimensions of risk that are worth taking—and avoiding those that are not—Dimensional’s strategies are designed to deliver higher expected returns. Implementation is critical. Keeping costs low will increase net returns. Value can be added through the use of cutting-edge portfolio management and trading techniques.
The successful candidate will work with Dimensional’s business lines to support the operational business requirements of each department and to work with the Dimensional global offices to monitor the performance of the middle office outsource provider to ensure they adhere to contractual obligations and service standards. They will also coordinate the business requirements of internal departments and back office vendors and work with the middle office provider project management team to provide broad integration of the Dimensional initiatives to facilitate Dimensional business processes. This includes daily oversight, change management and relationship management with multiple stakeholders.
The position will contribute to the Operations Group’s objectives of increasing operational efficiency and reducing operational risk in the global outsourced middle office. This includes delivering high levels of service to internal departments in relation to their middle office requirements.
Responsibilities:
This position will support oversee Dimensional’s outsourced middle office functions and will focus on:
• Gaining, and maintaining, an in-depth understanding of the outsourced middle office service provider’s operating models and how these link into Dimensional.
• Gaining, and maintaining, an in-depth knowledge of Dimensional global middle office processes and controls.
• Being responsible for project managing any middle office enhancement from initiation to successful implementation. This will include the scoping and communication of detailed business requirements.
• Ensuring that all processes and controls are fully documented and updated.
• Monitoring service delivery and acting as the main point of contact in relation to any issues.
• Acting as the main contact for any middle office query escalation from internal stakeholders.
• Ensuring that any middle office changes are communicated effectively to all internal stakeholders and third parties as required.
• Actively participate in oversight monitoring visits and regular service review meetings.
Qualifications:
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of 7 years of proven financial service experience within middle office operations.
• Experience of managing an outsourced third party administrator relationship.
• Proven business analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate influence as well as build and maintain relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to multitask and prioritise workload.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and organizational skills.
• Experience with accounting and operations industry best practices would be advantageous.
• Background in project management skills including systems integration of new technological platforms and re-engineering of business processes and user systems application testing and integration.
• Microsoft Office skills; Word, PowerPoint, Project and Excel (Macro’s would be advantageous).
• Ability to work independently to drive project requirements with minimal supervision.
• Ability to present ideas and information in group settings.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in a changing environment.
• Good understanding of technical operational work flows.
• A good understanding of client reporting and portfolio accounting would be advantageous.
Due to the number of applications we receive, we will only be able to respond to successful applicants.
Dimensional is committed to equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Employment with Dimensional is conditional upon evidence of your entitlement to work in the United Kingdom and successful completion of the Company’s background checking process.