Associate, Portfolio Administrator

Job Description

This position will be responsible for the accurate and timely administration of client investment accounts. Tasks range in complexity and involve the ability to efficiently follow processes, think critically, analyze data, and problem-solve under pressure. The role requires a deep understanding of internal systems and the opportunity to champion new operational strategies. The ability to effectively work with and communicate with others in a team environment while focusing on exceeding client expectations is critical. Diligence and time management skills are key performance indicators and vital to success.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain client communications, files, and electronic data in a secure and timely manner.
• Assist with new client on-boarding as well as termination/closing processes.
• Perform daily global and domestic account reconciliation against custodial values for all positions and transactions including FX conversions; ability to thoroughly analyze and research items to ensure all accounts are balanced and cash flows are processed in accounting system.
• Master all aspects of relevant platforms and systems, both internal and external.
• Document, post, and monitor flows and account activity in various accounts.
• Support precise completion of full trade life cycle, in coordination with portfolio managers, internal trading desk, counterparties, and custodians.
• Process corporate actions such as stock splits, cash and stock dividends, mergers & acquisitions, calls and maturities on bonds, etc., in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Facilitate accurate and timely daily pricing changes on all securities held within the portfolios. Escalate situations, where appropriate, to the Vaughan Nelson Fair Evaluation Committee for their guidance on pricing related matters.
• Facilitate composite construction and maintenance as well as performance verification, accounting platform alongside FactSet and/or Bloomberg integrations.
• Generate and validate monthly client reporting and support ad hoc client reporting and data requests, both internally and externally.
• Complete consultant requests and questionnaires, including updates to various databases.
• Help facilitate the performance and billing processes with the presentation of data and reporting, as necessary.

·      Validate or set-up new securities for both the equity (including non-US) and fixed income portfolio managers.

·      Back-up to other members of Operations team and other tasks assigned.

• Assist with the implementation of longer-term projects and analyses as directed by the Director, Portfolio Administration, which may include high-priority requests from Compliance, Portfolio Management, and/or Marketing Teams.

Qualifications

·      Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent work experience.

• Minimum 5 -10 year’s experience in investment management, preferably support of middle office related functions:
• Trade matching, affirmation, trade notifications via Swift to Custodian banks, and failed trades resolution.
• Reconciliation of holdings and cash positions.
• Processing of corporate actions
• Daily pricing of holdings
• Onboarding of new accounts and termination of closing accounts
• Client reporting: holdings, transactions, performance, etc.

·      Strong knowledge of global and domestic capital markets with understanding of financial data.

·      Analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.

·      Possesses an interest in process and procedural workflows and the documentation thereof (i.e. Procedures documentation).

·      Ability to leverage technology and have a passion for adding efficiency to workflow (i.e. Automation of manual processes, improvement of the control environment)

• Experience with using Bloomberg and/or FactSet, trade order management systems (Charles River, Aladdin, or equivalent), portfolio accounting system and data feed (Advent and Electra, respectively), as well as Omgeo/DTC systems and SWIFT. Experience with other industry software and platforms is highly favored.

·      Expert with Microsoft Excel including macros and advanced functions and above average understanding and use of Microsoft Word.

·      Must possess personal time management/multi-tasking/organizational skills – be organized, detail-oriented, and able to multitask.

·      Must be a team player, who is collaborative, and eager to work with others.

·      Effective communicator; Able to convey information or perspectives in a concise manner. Ability to question others in an effort to understand intent of messaging.

• Ideal candidate is self-motivated, flexible, enjoys a variety of responsibilities, is able to work independently, and is adaptable to changing priorities.