Manager of Trade Operations

We are currently looking for an Operations Specialist, Delegated Investment Solutions in our Toronto office. This managerial role will report to the Head of Investment Operations as part of WTW Delegated Investment Solution (DIS) business.

The Role

The focus of the role is to perform and oversee the team who performs investment operations functions for mainly institutional pension fund clients while working closely with operations colleagues, custodians, and investment managers to ensure the investment operation functions are completed accurately and in a timely manner. This role requires a team-player who is numbers and detail orientated with  knowledge of investment management or custodian back-office operations.

Performance Objectives
Excellence

• Oversee a team who maintains a low-level of transactional errors, through consistency of best practices
• Successfully manage critical investment management/custodian back-office operations including:

• Cash management
  • Complete daily cash updates and cash flow forecasting
  • Maintain appropriate cash levels for payments from the plans
• Successfully partner with custodians/investment managers/administrators to:
  • Reconcile trades and cash settlements
  • Provide letters of investment direction to custodian/ investment managers
  • Complete monthly reconciliation of activity & market values between investment managers/custodians/internal records
• Complete plan invoice reconciliation & payment instructions for custodians
• Portfolio monitoring and compliance support
  • Work closely with internal portfolio management group to restructure the plan/client portfolios based on strategy guidelines and thereafter maintain the client’s portfolio to target
  • Ensure portfolio policies and procedures are compliant with the client’s statement of investment policies and procedures
  • Participate in client update meetings, if required
• Develop and maintain procedures and maintain controls (risk management).
• Be resourceful and willing to utilize technology to its full potential to deliver solutions and improved processes
• Operate efficiently and accurately within tight timelines
• Produce and review monthly and quarterly performance reports for delivery to certain pooled fund client’s
• Evaluate and analyse investment performance and portfolio characteristics for the ICL proprietary family of funds

People

• Ensure inclusivity and diversity in hiring process is followed
• Attract, develop and retain our talent by providing training and offering the team opportunities for growth
• Promote high performance culture through goal setting, performance management and career discussions.
• Provide a team-based culture, motivation and lead by example
• Build  relationships internally and collaborate effectively on cross-functional teams
• Demonstrate natural ease and effectiveness when dealing with clients/colleagues at all levels
• Provide effective training for incoming team members and handle the day-to-day management of the team

Clients

• Work as part of dedicated operations team providing a variety of services to designated clients
• Deliver exceptional client experiences and outcomes from the time they are on-boarded through to their transition to the model portfolio and on an on-going basis
• Achieve good survey results from internal and external stake holders. Take feedback and try and improve processes
• Be pro-active in building relationships with the clients, various custody teams and the underlying fund managers.

Financial

• Provide efficient back office operations
• Continue to recognize and implement operational efficiencies and mitigate operational risk
• Help consulting teams on client retention

The Requirements

• Five or more years of progressive investment experience, gained in a client-service oriented environment (investment management/custodian back-office operations)
• Three or more years of people management experience
• Undergraduate degree or diploma in business, financial, Math or investment related fields
• Canadian Securities Course or Similar Certification
• Either completed Level 1 of the Chartered Financial Analyst program or received the Canada Investment Manager (“CIM”) designation
• Progressing knowledge and commercial awareness of financial markets, institutional investing and pension finance
• Interest in financial investing and the investment field
• Experience transitioning investment portfolios between multiple investment funds
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Comfortable and successful in a team environment; able to fit seamlessly on teams of senior and more junior colleagues
• Proficient in using Microsoft Excel and Power Point to create and produce dynamic reports and spreadsheets with accuracy and clarity.
• Enjoy working with numbers and compiling data, using your mathematical and analytical skills to maximize your efforts
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage workload effectively, and demonstrate effective time management skills
• Ability to self-motivate, is enthusiastic, professional and has strong ethical principles and work ethic

Equal opportunity employer