Head of US Onboarding

Overview

As part of the Onboarding Leadership Team, the Head of US Onboarding based in Chicago is responsible for managing a team of ~8 FTE to deliver onboarding activities for Asset Management clients.

In addition to direct management of the Client, Product and Counterparty onboarding teams, the role will also act as the local head of Client Service Operations (CSO) in Chicago, and be an escalation point for the regional stakeholders as well as the local CSO teams encompassing Guidelines Data and Documentation, Client Order Management, Client Reporting and Performance.

Key to the success of the role will be close partnership with local stakeholder teams across Investments, Distribution and Legal and Compliance alongside other Asset Management COO teams locally. Focused capabilities will be to lead the local CSO teams and manage capacity, driving scale, efficiency and automation alongside delivering excellent client service in support of the growth of the Asset Management Business. This will include full engagement with the STOM program ensuring key milestones are met and that the new strategic partnership with State Street effectively supports our business.

Responsibilities

• Have a strong understanding of Asset Management’s ambitions & position the team across capabilities, structure, responsibilities & resourcing to deliver against these.
• Take ownership for pipeline management and prioritize accordingly with internal business stakeholders to ensure we manage expectations & business capacity.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines. Actively manage capacity of the team and the developing priorities of the business, ensure that we allocate our resources effectively and responsively.
• Proactively work with managers and individuals in the team to ensure that we have the required capabilities and succession planning by developing people and recruiting those with skills needed to deliver Asset Management’s mission and objectives.
• Create a positive culture whilst role modelling Asset Management behaviors alongside engaging and motivating the local Chicago CSO teams making wellbeing a priority.
• Manage costs and budget across the Onboarding team and strive to identify commercial / economic opportunities
• Gain insight into the evolving sales strategy, associated impacts & pipeline by partnering with the leadership team across Client Service Operations, Product and Distribution, enabling you to assess & address the impact on the operating model of the firm, any development required and any risks.
• Develop strong working relationships with managers & leaders across stakeholder & partner teams to ensure they have appropriate insight and develop their teams to meet the ongoing and changing demands of the pipeline and Client Service Operations strategy.
• Ensure the team has the appropriate culture, controls & risk awareness to manage the operational risk present within the function. Engage with risk & business management regularly on the control environment. Escalate risks, issues & errors to the Head of Onboarding & Operational Risk and quickly address any potential errors.
• In partnership with the Distribution teams, build relationships with key clients and consultants such that we understand their expectations and experiences of Asset Management’s onboarding service. Using that feedback, drive continual improvement in the process to influence positive client ratings of our onboarding service.
• Provide thought leadership to drive automation and be seen as a though leader to systems and processes to maximize efficiencies, while providing a transparent, high quality client experience.
• Ensure team’s engagement with the STOM program to ensure that the new strategic partnership with State Street is taken as an opportunity to drive enhancements in efficiency, control and downstream connectivity for the function.
• Through collaboration with stakeholders, challenge current models and take opportunities to align responsibilities or remove duplication of processes across Asset Management. Where there is opportunity to rationalize responsibilities for business benefit ensure these are realized.
• Ensure own actions and those of the team adhere to the accountabilities set out as part of Consumer Duty Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) policy.
• Manage the team in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures, including the Partnership Agreement, so that the team’s business objectives are achieved consistently.
  
  

Qualifications

• Strong academic background, IMC or IAQ desirable.
• Strong overall investment and product structure knowledge.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate, influence and operate at a senior management level.
• Management experience within Investment Management industry, ideally in an implementation role with a demonstrable track record of dealing with external clients and building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at senior levels.
• Experience of leading process and organizational change.
• Experience of managing and leading a high-performing team within a dynamic and fast-paced business environment.
  
  

Salary Range

$140,000 - $190,000

The starting salary offer will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to the applicant’s education, job-related experience, skills, and abilities, geographic location, and market factors. This position is also eligible to participate in the company’s annual discretionary bonus plan. Full time employees may be eligible for health insurance with an optional HSA, short term disability, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, life insurance, Healthcare, Dependent and Limited Care Flexible Spending Accounts, 401K, vacation, sick time, an employee assistance program, and commuter and transit programs. Additional voluntary programs include: supplemental health benefits including accidental injury, critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance and pet insurance.

EOE Statement

As an EOE employer, Legal & General Investment Management America will extend equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, military status, and/or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. (2024)