Head of Investment Operations, Americas
The Group:The Morningstar Investment Management group consists of our investment advice, multi-asset investment portfolios and sub-advisory investment products businesses. Through our registered investment advisor subsidiaries, we use our expertise in asset allocation, risk management and portfolio construction to create innovative investment solutions for institutions, advisors, and their clients. Everything we do is driven by our independent view, long-term investment approach and desire to always put investors first. Our US investment management business offers a turnkey asset management platform (TAMP) as well as managed portfolios on third party platforms (collectively Managed Portfolios), a range of 40 Act funds, and a variety of investment management services for institutional clients.
The Role: The Head of Investment Operations, Americas leads and manages the investment operations team in the US. As Head of Investment Operations you will ensure efficient and robust investment portfolio implementation processes across our TAMP, Managed Portfolios available on third party platforms, and mutual fund operations. The role is also responsible for ensuring operational risks are appropriately managed and for providing key support to product development initiatives. The ideal candidate is comfortable leading strategic operational developments while at the same time being willing to roll up their sleeves when needed. The Head of Investment Operations will work closely with the global head of investment operations who leads the global investment operations functions and oversees regional operations functions in partnership with the regional managing directors. This role is based in Chicago in the heart of the Loop and reports to the Managing Director, Americas.
Responsibilities:
- Manage all US investment operations functions and resources, with a focus on continuous process improvement, automation and use of global operations support model.
- Responsible for efficient, timely and accurate trade and cashflow implementation for the Managed Portfolios including trading in stocks, ETFs, and funds.
- Responsible for efficient, timely and accurate cashflow implementation, custody and administrative processes for recently launched ‘40 Act funds.
- Ensure all account maintenance, billing, performance, and client reporting is delivered accurately and in compliance with services deliverable and local regulation.
- Oversee transition management (including model portfolio assets transitioning to internal mutual funds)
- Responsible for the strategic development of investment operations capabilities with a focus on operational requirements of the TAMP.
- Support projects to successfully innovate products or operational capabilities.
- Maintain senior relationships with custodian and administrators, third party platforms, brokers and key clients to promote successful servicing arrangements.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting/business/finance required.
- Graduate degree preferred.
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in investment operations or custody/administration.
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and collaborative skills.
- Strong understanding of portfolio management, financial markets, investment securities and products.
- Strong understanding of operations and administration practices and issues affecting investment portfolios (understanding of portfolio performance reporting and tax considerations is desired).
- Strong understanding of investment implementation issues faced by TAMPs and/or small to medium investment management businesses.
- Project management skills.
- Process improvement and automation experience and familiarity with LEAN or other process improvement frameworks as well as Robotic Process Automation practices.