Investment Operations Associates

NOTE this role requires being in an office in Chicago 3 days per week! It is NOT a fully remote role.

This key role works on relatively complex, high profile activities and projects involving committees and/or senior management and may often include the end-client. This individual focuses on maintenance and implementation of policies and procedures, while building towards becoming an area expert. You will operate under general supervision but works independently most of the time. This position sits within Investment Operations (IOO) and is being created due to newly acquired clients and business!

Primary daily responsibilities: NOTE this role requires being in an office in Chicago 3 days per week! It is NOT a fully remote role.

· Operations Management

o Responsible for providing client service through oversight of daily functions and tasks, including but not limited to: cash processing, custodian reconciliations, front office reconciliations, client reporting, client fee billing, as well as general client inquiries regarding Northern Trust (NT)-provided data

o Cross train on all functions as assigned, and serve as back-up for peers as necessary

o Reinforce usage of NT, IOO or client best practices within IOO and its support teams

o Responsible for multiple projects of various complexities

o Able to identify opportunities for process or service quality improvement, while acting as a liaison across the enterprise to drive execution

o Understand and enhance procedures and controls to mitigate operational, financial or reputational risk to the client and NT

· Client Service Management

o Responsible for understanding client’s business needs and deliverables

o Lead team and/or client discussions as assigned

o Responsible for providing timely responses to client and internal stakeholder queries without manager input

o Drive the engagement of other partners as appropriate to promptly resolve and remediate client inquiries/issues

o Serves as a key subject matter expert on the IOO Operating Model, as well as the end-client’s business

o Play a lead role in the development and rollout of process changes necessary to align with client support needs and/or best practices

o Understand current Service Level Agreements (SLAs) which outline roles and responsibilities between NT and the client

· Relationship Management

o Act as a main point of contact and be accessible to other internal partners and teams supporting the client relationship

o Independently build relationships with internal and teams, and be able to effectively use collaboration, persuasion or influence skills to solve client issues or improve client service

o Serve as a key subject matter expert and mentor to junior level employees

The Minimum Qualifications:

· 5+ years of relevant work experience supporting Financial Industry Operations, with 3+ years of this experience within an Asset Management Investment Operations environment.

· Knowledge of trade lifecycle and the various counterparties within the operating model with proven ability to serve as a subject matter expert and/or trainer to others

· Examples of process efficiencies that have been implemented in prior roles

· Excellent oral and written communication skills

· Demonstrated ability to prioritize and multi-task, and complete work with a sense of urgency that matches the client/issue

· Strong Analytical, attention-to-detail and problem solving skills

· Moderate Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot, etc.) and other MS Office application skills

The Ideal Qualifications:

· A college or university degree

· Direct investment management operations experience

· Previous exposure to / experience with business process and/or technology enhancement initiatives

· Experience with PowerBI or other data visualization applications

NOTE this role requires being in an office in Chicago 3 days per week! It is NOT a fully remote role.