Operations Analyst London, England
Russell Investments
Full Time
London, England
44024 - 55947 GBP ANNUAL Today
Job description
Business Unit:
Global OperationsJob Description:
Role Summary
The EMEA Fund Operations Team provides operational and administrative support to Russell Investments’ fund complexes and client accounts. A principal focus is on the oversight of accounting, custody, and administration activities, which are outsourced to third-party service providers. Responsibilities include daily monitoring of fund valuations and the production of fund prices, acting as the escalation point for any issues. There is also liaison with the multiple investment managers trading for the fund and client portfolios.
The team provide operational support to all areas within Russell Investments business lines, including portfolio managers, client relationship managers, together with compliance, risk, legal and other support functions. There is a close working relationship with the Product Solutions Team to implement new business initiatives such as the launching of new funds. The Operations Analyst role performs a variety of specific activities with a particular focus on financial reporting and regulatory reporting oversight. In addition, the role provides the opportunity to support new business, regulatory and other initiatives. The analyst is expected to become involved in additional tasks and projects as required.
The responsibilities of the individual in this position include:
Regulatory & Business conduct
- Displaying exemplary conduct and living by our organisations Code of Conduct.
- Taking personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct across the business.
- Effectively and collaboratively identifying, escalating, mitigating, and resolving risk, conduct and compliance.
Financial Reporting
- Supporting the management of the financial reporting process across all EMEA funds, covering equities, fixed income and multi asset funds.
- Assisting in the implementation of accounting policies and regulatory changes including new disclosure requirements within the financial statements of the funds.
- Coordinating the audit cycle including liaising with external auditors, fund administrators, custodians, and external money managers.
- Assisting in the preparation of board materials for the various Boards and Committees.
- Participating in projects following auditors or board recommendations including expense management, regulation, and change management.
Fund Accounting
- Assisting with the oversight of fund accounting activities including valuation and expense management.
- Helping with the fund’s tax oversight activities including investment, withholding and investor tax.
- Supporting with various activities in relation to fund expenses and fund budgets, including analysis and reporting of fund Ongoing Charge figures and transaction costs.
- Assisting with the preparation of materials for the Securities Valuation Committee.
- Assisting with the oversight of fund distribution calculations and payments.
- Supporting in the oversight of performance fee calculations.
Support New Business and Fund Launches
- Assisting with new business initiatives such as the launch, closure, or merger of funds.
- Assessing the operational impact and requirements, work with third-party providers to ensure smooth implementation, with any new procedures and processes put in place.
Third Party Providers
- Assisting with the oversight of third-party service providers including fund administrators and custodians. This will involve analysis of monthly data to identify trends or issues as they arise.
- Taking a pro-active role in the reporting and resolution of issues and identifying service improvements where possible.
The successful candidate will have extensive demonstrable skills and experiences including the following:
- Professional accountancy qualification or training would be desirable.
- Relevant undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, in subjects such as Mathematics, Economics, Accounting etc is desirable.
- Experience in fund accounting, or financial reporting, within an asset manager is essential.
- Excellent PC skills in both Microsoft Excel and Word (macros skills highly desirable)
- Ability to transfer thoughts and express ideas clearly and accurately in either one-to-one or group situations required.
- Ability to tailor language and tone to the intended audience.
- Good at sharing information appropriately and in a timely manner across the organisation.
- Strong presentation and client services skills.
- Good at promoting and facilitating the work of a group, as well as contributing as a productive member of the team.
- Ability to uncover and meet the needs of both internal and external clients, while maintaining regular contact and building strong working partnerships with clients and suppliers.
- Capable of prioritising workloads and managing time effectively.
- Ability to work under pressure.
