Lead Analyst, Middle Office (ETF Operations)

About the Team

The Global Middle Office teams, based in Baltimore, Colorado Springs, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore, manage investments through the trade lifecycle and oversee record keeping, working closely with our service providers. This role will be based in the US working closely with the other Middle Office associates as part of a 50+ Middle Office team.  The team focuses on activities including, trade support for all products including equity, fixed income, derivatives, Collateral and margin processing, securities lending and cash services, securities and account setup and maintenance, control and risk oversight.

Role Summary

Leads the oversight of trade management responsibilities for ETF Operations and associated tasks. Utilizes technical and operational knowledge to resolve complex operating and accounting issues that often involve multiple internal groups or external parties. Responsible for facilitating front to back Operations process of the ETF trade lifecycle, including working with traders on booking through to final settlement, and facilitate issue resolution across teams. Manages relationships with third-party vendors. Works with the team in developing operational goals that are aligned with functional strategy. Identifies, drives, and implements process improvement initiatives with a critical focus on risk, control, and scalability.

Responsibilities

• Directs a broad range of trade management and portfolio services activities enabled by an internal control environment that produces industry-leading accuracy and timeliness.
• Leverages deep ETF knowledge, overall Equity and Fixed Income trade support expertise, and knowledge of the broader industry environment and client account trends to optimize operations and lead/execute changes in processes, protocols, and/or technologies to support an improved client experience.
• Navigates and resolves complex situations and ensures alignment with Senior Management’s priorities; negotiates and facilitates a resolution to significant operational roadblocks, leveraging established relationships with key stakeholders and other regions. Manages relationships with third-party providers, ensuring quality and performance standards are met and holding them accountable to established service-level agreements. Provides recommendations on the selection of third-party providers. Oversees large-scale transitions to the end-state infrastructure of outsourced providers.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills to work independently and provide solutions to clients, third-party vendors, and internal team inquiries.
• Manages processes and provides guidance to teams on the implementation of new policies to follow regulations. Supports a world-class portfolio services internal control environment that produces industry leading accuracy and timeliness. Develops and leads cross-departmental and cross-divisional initiatives designed to improve accuracy, generate efficiencies, and reduce risk.
• Following established controls, checks and validates third-party reconciliations; provides feedback on third-party performance and quality to management. Works with clients and internal stakeholders to prepare account outsourcing plans; stewards account transition process to the end-state infrastructure of outsourced providers.
• Analyzes report metrics and develops recommendations to address deficiencies.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience AND
• 8+ years of total relevant work experience

Preferred:

Experience with Middle Office ETF Operations or Specialist role including:

• 5+ years of ETF operations experience strongly preferred
• 5+ years of Derivatives/Collateral management experience within ETFs strongly preferred
• Knowledge of the ETF product and the mechanics of its trading lifecycle, including but not limited to the overall create redeem business, collateral management, settlements, clearing, reconciliations
• Knowledge of third-party vendor oversight, as well as overall Trade Support experience
• Leadership, self-motivated, and demonstrated examples of value-add activities
• Strong technical skills – in depth knowledge of systems, processes or function (i.e. Charles River IMS, SQL or similar)
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a team environment and build strong relationships with Front Office.
• Demonstrated initiative to proactively initiate process improvement opportunities
• Adept at managing complex issues, identifying alternative solutions and recommendation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

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