Job Description

LOCATION: Cape TownR HIGHLY NEGOTIABLE PLUS ANNUAL PERFORMANCE BONUSOur client is an asset manager licenced in Guernsey. They are more than 30 years old and act as the investment manager and administrators to a range of managed accounts, as well as being the investment manager to a PCC structure in Guernsey and fund structure in the BVI. The vast majority of the company's investment related activities involve hedge and alternatives investments via the allocation of capital to unitised 3rd party hedge funds. Total assets under management are circa $3.2bn. The company has offices in Guernsey (6 staff), with London, Cape Town and Singapore (~40 staff). They perform investment management from its offices in St Peter Port, advised by an investment team in London. Administration of the company's managed portfolio clients is undertaken in Guernsey with a small team of administrators present in St Peter Port, and supported by a team of administrators in South Africa. Despite its various locations, the company is a small, highly integrated business.They now seek an operations manager to join their team. You will report to the director operations (Guernsey). BRAND new role!JOB DESCRIPTION WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• You will be required to oversee a team of internal staff and external providers administering the company's client portfolios and investment finance function; Small direct staff compliment of 4;
• You will be required to oversee all daily business aspects of company client and investment administration function. The role plays a critical function ensuring the company operates accurately, timeously and with a strong control environment around all aspects of the administration of client accounts;
• Daily activities / recurring cycle activities:

• You will be responsible for managing of the team to ensure all daily administrative functions are correctly carried out;
• You will be responsible for trouble shooting problems and queries;
• You will be responsible for implementing internal SLA's and ensuring full delivery against expectations;
• You will be responsible for liaising with investment professionals and client servicing colleagues to ensure all client service levels, reporting and instruction are implemented;
• You will be responsible for liaising with all key service providers including auditors, manco's, underlying managers, custodians, compliance service providers etc. as required to ensure seamless delivery of services;
• Process and operational management and improvement:

• You will be responsible for constantly working with colleagues and the team to improve processes and enhance the control environments;
• You will be responsible for proactive problem solving to launch or administer new activities, client types or instruments;
• You will be responsible for ensuring systems are optimal, scalable and stable;
• You will be responsible for documenting processes and controls and ensure policies and procedures are updated and fit for purpose;
• Team management:

• You will be required to ensure appropriate teams and structures are in place to administer and carry out the operational requirements of the company, having due regard to the complexity and nature of the company's business;
• You will be responsible for overseeing all of the activities and aspects of the team from hiring. Recruiting in conjunction with human capital colleagues through to performance management;
• You will be responsible for training of staff;
• Other:

• You will be required, given the role reports into Guernsey, to be a self-motivated and experienced individual that can work autonomously across all aspects of the role. The intention is that the South African office grows over time as a centre of excellence for administration across the company group. You will be required to travel up to a max of 4 times per annum for short periods to both Guernsey and London as required operationally.

CORE COMPETENCIES REQUIRED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Administrative leadership:

• You have leadership and management skills to lead the administration team and provide oversight and guidance;
• Vendor management:

• You are proficient in managing relationships with outsourced service providers and ensuring service levels are met including custodians;
• Efficiency and organisation:

• You have outstanding organisational and time management skills to optimise administrative processes;
• Planning and accuracy:

• You have a keen eye for detail as 100% accuracy is required at all times and this requires a highly detailed person that can coordinate functions and implement strong processes and controls;
• Management experience:

• You have the ability for managing all aspects of staff from recruiting talent, managing deliverables, growing staff, succession planning, performance management and overall management of the teams output and accuracy;
• Communication:

• You have excellent communication (verbal and written) skills in English to liaise with internal teams, external vendors and stakeholders;
• Strategy implementation:

• You have the ability to contribute to the strategic direction of the business through identifying areas within the department that can modernise / improve and / or create efficiencies and implement agreed strategic plans;
• Project management:

• You have the ability to manage projects / programmes from inception to completion.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• You have a suitable commerce, business administration, finance, or a related field qualification this is beneficial;
• You have a minimum of 10 years current, relevant experience in investment administration in administrative functions including managing outsourced providers and coordinating various administrative functions;
• You have strong knowledge of all regulatory requirements and the regulatory environment;
• You have knowledge of financial markets, alternative investments, collective investment schemes and hedge funds. You have experience in private market assets - this would be a distinct advantage.
• You have knowledge of the investment administration ecosystem of custodians, administrators and collective investment schemes;
• You have systems proficiency, in Advent APX - this would be a distinct advantage; but not essential
• You have had a background in back and middle office of mid to large sized investment management businesses and have a full and detailed (expert level) understanding of various aspects of the role including:

• Dealing and settlement.
• Reconciliations, controls and risk management.
• Pricing: Instrument and account valuations, unitisation and general NAV activities.
• Investment accounting.
• Client administration reporting.
• Fees: Commissions, brokerage, performance fees.
• New fund launches, new mandate and client onboarding, including AML processes.
• You are highly professional; a subject matter expert; have good people management skills and are someone who takes significant pride in their work! Work for a global business and assist in making the SA chapter successful and see growth and further success.

Claire Bourquin Recruitment Consultants