Senior Investment Operations Associate

Description

Purpose
The senior investment operations associate is responsible for executing and overseeing key components of the investment operations lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, control, and operational efficiency across multiple asset classes.
The role supports the investment operations manager (or head currently) in managing complex workflows, resolving operational issues, and maintaining robust control frameworks, while contributing to process improvement and system enhancements.

Strategic responsibilities

• Support implementation of the investment operations operating model and process framework
• Contribute to process standardization, automation, and efficiency initiatives
• Assist in strengthening operational controls and data quality across systems

Core responsibilities

1. Operations execution & lifecycle support
Execute and oversee core operational activities across the investment lifecycle, including:

• Trade capture, validation, and booking
• Trade confirmation and matching
• Settlement processing (DVP/RVP, FOP, CCP-cleared)
• Cash and position reconciliations
• Corporate actions processing (mandatory and voluntary events)
• Investment data management and reporting

Ensure timely and accurate execution of all activities in line with market deadlines and settlement cycles (T+0, T+1, T+2).
Maintain strong understanding of financial instruments, including:

• Public markets: equities, fixed income, ETFs
• Derivatives: futures, options, swaps, FX products
• Private markets: capital calls, distributions, NAV tracking
• Loans and credit instruments
• Cash and liquidity instruments

2. Reconciliations & exception management
Perform and review cash and position reconciliations across custodians and internal systems.
Investigate and resolve reconciliation breaks, settlement failures, and discrepancies.
Escalate complex issues and track resolution.

3. Control framework & risk management
Ensure adherence to internal policies, SOPs, and control frameworks.
Support identification and mitigation of operational risks, including:

• Settlement failures
• Data inconsistencies
• Counterparty issues

Maintain audit-ready documentation and support audit and compliance reviews.
Support KYC/CDD processes and onboarding documentation where required.

4. Data, systems & process improvement
Ensure integrity and consistency of investment data across systems.
Support process improvement initiatives, including:

• Automation of manual processes
• Data quality improvements
• System enhancements

Work closely with IT and vendors to support system functionality.

5. Stakeholder coordination
Coordinate with internal teams (investment, finance, risk, IT).
Liaise with external providers (custodians, brokers, administrators).
Support resolution of operational issues and ensure timely closure.

6. Reporting & governance
Prepare operational reports, dashboards, and KPI tracking.
Support governance processes, audit reviews, and reporting requirements.

Requirements

Education & qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or related field.
Professional certifications (CFA, CISI, FRM, CPA) preferred.

Experience requirements
4–7 years of experience in investment operations or financial services.
Strong experience across trade lifecycle and reconciliations.
Exposure to multi-asset operations preferred.

Technical skills
Strong understanding of trade processing, settlement, and reconciliation.
Knowledge of financial instruments across asset classes.
Familiarity with SWIFT, custodial models, and accounting principles.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Management accountability
Accountable for accuracy and completeness of operational processes.
Responsible for resolving exceptions and improving workflows.
Support operational efficiency, control enhancements, and data integrity.