Senior Operations Readiness Analyst

Role Overview

• The Senior Associate will be part of Operations Readiness for New Client On-boarding
• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the Funds Industry
• Lead role in the management and support of User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
• Help support the BA responsible for Operations Readiness workstream of new client launches and conversions
• Design and implement global operating models
• Deliver quality Model Office/UAT testing for system enhancements, new operating models and connectivity for new client launches and conversions
• Build an Operational Implementation Program utilized for new client prospects
• Work closely and provide support to Sales; Service Delivery; Client Services and various other key stakeholders
• Attend due diligence, gap analysis and other relevant project meetings
• Active participant in client project calls and Governance for operational readiness
• May lead client/internal workshops and calls
• Participate and manage Workstream Meetings
• Liaise extensively with clients to establish exact requirements, agree solutions for global operation model
• Clearly document requirements including workflows and hold workshops to determine solutions and get agreement internally and with clients
• Proactively identify and manage project risks
• Ensure appropriate measures are taken to mitigate these risks
• Thorough documentation throughout the project life cycle including all required signoffs
• Issue tracking and management
• Design and document the operating model
• Coordinate the Model office for large conversions with the Operational Teams
• Assist Operations teams in the creation, maintenance and execution of model office test plans
• Provide clear reporting on the status of Model office
• Prepare Non-Standard Process reports and facilitate their review with Risk and Compliance
• Support and interact with other business units involved in the project and coordinate the project team and activities
• Work within the Transfer Agency Project Office structure and ensure that all standard templates are used and required resources are procured
• Respond directly to client inquiries and concerns
• Conduct testing and research to provide accurate responses
• Improve the Onboarding process by streamlining reports, documenting checklists, processes and procedures
• Quantify the risks and determine potential workarounds to assist the team in prioritization
• Review conversion-related business requirements documents
• Provide feedback, clarify requirements and assist Conversion Business Analysts to ensure successful delivery of business needs enhancements
• Assist the conversion team in analyzing results of the conversion process
• Assist Operations team in conversion reconciliations
• Analyze post-conversion needs and processes specific to first 3 business days
• Support post-conversion issues found during the warranty period
• Ownership, management and development of strong client relationships
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive New Client Onboarding playbook and ensure all tasks are delivered/completed on a timely basis
• Work with Operations management team to define new processes to support specific client requirements and execute strategies to completion
• Handle and resolve complex or unusual operational and managerial problems
• Continuously develop expertise in all areas of the business
• Seek opportunities to automate, standardize, and streamline the product/client implementation
• Delivery of presentations to potential new clients demonstrating why IFDS should be their strategic partner

Requirements

• In-depth Transfer Agency Operational knowledge
• Excellent administrative, organizational and business support skills, with the ability to multi-task and work calmly under pressure
• Strong Analytical skills – able to accurately identify, document and recommend solutions to complex business problems
• Innovative/Creative thinker – seeks out continuous improvement
• Develops solutions and new ways of thinking about challenges
• Excellent working knowledge of MS Office suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to work accurately to tight deadlines
• Proactive and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Expert knowledge of TA applications
• Requires comparative product knowledge and industry knowledge; knowledge of financial investment markets, trends and competitive framework
• In-depth understanding of the standard rules, regulations and legislation surrounding the mutual fund administration industry
• Demonstrated leadership skills including initiative, accountability, credibility, and consensus building
• Ability to manage direct and indirect reports in a virtual team setting
• Extensive work experience in a similar, client-facing role
• Detailed understanding of mutual fund products and thorough understanding of distribution channels and requirements in terms of client and product needs in investment management market
• Very strong verbal and written skills, as well as high level of interpersonal skill to interact with senior business professionals
• Well-developed decision-making, judgment and problem-solving skills
• Ability to engage internal stakeholders across different functional areas
• Client Service orientation, with a proven ability to work with clients and internal groups to diagnose and develop solutions
• Strong quantitative, analytical and problem solving/troubleshooting skills combined with the ability to draw meaningful conclusions from qualitative client feedback or large data sets
• Demonstrated ability to innovate and develop new proposals/solutions
• Proven project management skills, with strong attention to detail and flexibility to handle multiple projects and changing priorities
• Enthusiastic and proactive approach with meticulous attention to detail
• Positive impact – performs in a manner that makes a strong positive impression on others; high energy level, a problem-solving approach
• Undergraduate degree
• Experience with analysis and project life cycle methodologies as well as an understanding of the implementation project life cycle is preferred
• Proactive in acquiring information to develop new skills to improve job performance; grasps new material quickly and easily, and applies new information, concepts and procedures in a constructive manner
• Detail oriented with a demonstrated ability to enhance process improvement capabilities
• Understanding of investment concepts and the ability to communicate a working knowledge of investment strategies and products
• Knowledge of the mutual fund processing and quality control; call centers and the administrative back-office

Benefits

• Inclusive development opportunities
• Flexible work-life support
• Paid volunteer days
• Vibrant employee networks