Dealing Services AVP

Main purpose of role:

As an Assistant Vice President within the Dealing Services – Trailer Fee Team of IFDS, you will be a senior member of the Trailer Fee Management team responsible for the end-to-end trailer fee process for a large client. You will manage a small number of associates and junior managers and work closely with the Vice President and other Assistant Vice Presidents in ensuring that IFDSI’s client’s expectations and Service Level Agreements are met.

You will be technically minded and have exceptional organisational skills, with extensive experience in working to tight deadlines. You will have a proactive attitude to risk management, placing particular emphasis on risk prevention and process improvements. You will have strong client management skills and will have experience in partnering with clients to managing complex issues to resolution. You will be a key escalation point for clients, Client Relationship Managers (CRMs) and internal departmental managers. You will have a good understanding of the various functions of Transfer Agency and Fund Administration activities, enabling you to provide effective management of your team and to contribute to the overall success of the organization.

At this level you will be required to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the Funds Industry and take a lead role in the management of the department. You will be expected to direct and plan the department’s activities with a major focus on department strategy, change management, resource planning and development, client relationship management and risk reduction.

Responsibilities:

LEADERSHIP

• Responsible for the setting and achievement of specific department performance targets and objectives
• As a member of the senior management team lead, direct and manage the department
• Exercise operational oversight within the department and make sound operational decisions
• Contribute to the development of the organisation in terms of financial planning, business strategy, service offerings and HR policies

CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

• Ownership, management and development of strong client relationships
• Form strategic partnerships with Clients in order to provide exceptional client service
• Handle and resolve complex or unusual operational and managerial problems that are referred from above and below
• Ensure that procedures, policies and processes are adhered to so that a high quality service is delivered to the customer. Drive procedural changes to improve performance of the department or of related business areas
• Continually develop expertise in all area of the business
• Responsible for the ownership and management of vendor, audit and regulatory body relationships, as required

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• Identify and secure resources required by the department and ensure effective utilisation
• Ensure that Transfer Agency is properly resourced both in terms of people and technology whilst complying with agreed budgetary guidelines
• Actively support the overall organization and Transfer Agency Training Plan
• Assist more senior colleagues and deputise in their absence
• Utilise management information to assist in managing both clients and resources
• Focus on development opportunities for your direct reports and ensure a focus on non-operational management within the department
• Using corporate PPR tools, actively participate in the performance appraisal process and monitor overall timeliness of completion for the entire team with your direct reports

RISK & REGULATORY

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and with the relevant short, medium and long-term goals, objectives and values of the organization
• Promote risk awareness, assessment and control within the department
• Drive the development and implementation of appropriate procedures to meet internal control and external compliance/regulatory requirements
• Understand the risk environment within the department and manage appropriately

COMMUNICATION

• Provide regular feedback to managers and more senior colleagues with regard to Transfer Agency operations
• Lead and contribute to operational, client, risk, audit and regulatory meetings as required
• Lead and contribute to your chosen Focus Group

CHANGE MANAGEMENT

• Create an environment that is flexible and adaptable and be a champion of change
• Initiate and oversee tasks within a continuous improvement drive to ensure that the Department is efficient and seen as customer and quality driven
• Provide support during the implementation of change
• Ensure participation in the completion and implementation of department wide projects as required and lead local team initiatives

Core Requirements:

Regulatory:

• To exercise due care and diligence, ensuring the areas the role is responsible for are organised and controlled;
• To comply with the regulatory regimes in which IFDS operates, with particular consideration given to relevant Client Asset, Data Protection and Financial Crime Prevention regulations, as appropriate to the above role.

Quality:

All employees are accountable for the delivery of a Quality service, driving for excellence in all their work activities:

• To be quality driven, aiming for 100% accuracy and timeliness of delivery;
• To effectively plan the way services are delivered so that all activity is directly related to providing quality services and meeting the expectations of the customer (internal and external);
• To continuously review processes and practices relating to the role and act as a catalyst for change and improvement in individual and team performance;
• To observe proper standards of market, business and personal conduct, demonstrating integrity in the execution of duties;
• To communicate and promote the values which reinforce and support a consistent quality culture.
• To adhere to company values of Professional, Accountable, Client Focused, Excellence and Leadership (PACE & L) in all tasks and interactions

Knowledge and Competency Requirements

• Specific knowledge, skills and qualifications needed to achieve required performance standards in a role.

Essential

• Excellent administrative, organisational and business support skills, with the ability to multi-task and to work calmly under pressure.
• Excellent working knowledge of MS Office suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Strong written & verbal communication skills
• Possess excellent organisational, planning and co-ordination skills.
• Ability to work accurately to tight deadlines
• Proactive and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Comprehensive procedural, technical and product knowledge of the Transfer Agency business is required. This should be complemented with a strong understanding of Fund Accounting, Custody and Regulatory background to Funds Industry.
• Personable
• Flexible
• Enthusiastic
• Typically candidate will have 8-10 years experience in a similar environment including at least 3-4 years in a management capacity.