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Operational Investment Consultant

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Location: Dundas House, Scotland
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
Closing Date: 28-May-2010


Introduction and Background

Standard Life Wrap was launched in May 2006 followed by our Fund Supermarket ‘FundZone' in February 2007. SLSL are driving rapid growth in the platform market. We are looking to recruit dynamic staff, wishing to develop their careers as part of a dedicated team at the forefront of these changes.
The Platform propositions, which use the latest technologies, enable advisers to see their clients' assets and liabilities in one place. Platforms also allow fast and efficient online processes, significantly improving the efficiency of their operations and their ability to service customers.

We have an exciting vacancy for an experienced Operational Investment Consultant. The successful candidate will utilise their extensive retail operational investment experience in the areas of Mutual Fund and/or Securities investment administration, dealing, custody, and brokerage to develop operationally Standard Life's Wrap & Fund Platform Propositions.

This specific role will report direct to the Operational Investment Consultant Team Manager within the Platform Middle Office. The jobholder will be responsible for leading the analysis, investigation, design, development and implementation of complex operational investment processes in a capacity of a “Platform” subject matter expert (SME).

Key Responsibilities and Technical Criteria Required

• Support the Operational Investment Consultant Manager report on and control activity in relation to ALL Operational Investment consultancy activities undertaken to enable clear communication to senior management of progress, risks / issues / actions identified and solved
• Detailed analysis and mapping of complex operational processes and client / customer journey mapping / analysis to identify corrective recourse (as appropriate) to ensure an excellent customer experience and maintain service levels
• Lead the review/analysis of “End-to-End” operational process flow reviews to identify potential success and failures of all key process points and their interaction
• Investigate specific service issues and seek guidance (where appropriate) to document conclusions on action's to improve/challenge service relating to:
o Transfers
o Best Pricing
o Processing of Dividends/Distributions, Corporate Actions and AMC Rebates
o Reconciliations
o Settlement
o Complex Assets
o Automation
• Lead analysis and detailed requirements for KPI and Management Information development and implementation for SLSL internal customers
• Manage implementation of Business process change developments together with any identified Regulatory, Risk and Control governance changes
• Analyse New Fund impact assessments and manage any operational process change required to implement them
• Ensure timely and corrective resolution of escalated issues, either by regulatory, operational or financial risk
• Provide support to auditors/regulators in relation to operational processes to ensure compliant processes are in place
• Maintain awareness of industry & legislative developments relating to Wrap and other investment activities in order to asses their impact, promote opportunities to develop process automation and provide authoritative information to customers


CRITERIA REQUIRED

• Vast experience of operational investment & knowledge with an Asset Management business or Broker/Custodian background to include:
o UK Equity & Bond settlement processing & systems;
o UK Mutual Fund settlement processing & systems;
o corporate action, dividends and interest processing & systems for the above;
o ISA administrative experience;
o UK regulatory knowledge & experience
o complex funds & investment propositions
• Experience of analysis and formulating solutions in complex business environments
• Experience of thinking strategically and contributing to strategic decision making
• Proven ability to work using own initiative, manage teams and influence staff at all levels of the organisation to develop ideas and pragmatic solutions/deliver quality outputs
• Good working knowledge of Platforms in conjunction with investment and operational experience
• Significant experience of designing and constructing business processes, functions and organisational structures, preferably with a focus on process improvement.
• Proven track record of analytical ability and problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills both from an oral and written perspective with the ability to present complex information and influence at all levels
• Strong Microsoft Office knowledge with particular emphasis on process mapping using Microsoft Visio
• Experience/knowledge of EMX and/or Swift electronic messaging desirable
• Operational investment experience of Luxembourg SICAVs, non-UK domiciled OEICs and Hedge Funds advantageous, but not essential.

Key Personal Criteria Required

• Contribution to Results - Understanding the business and financial objectives of SLS to ensure the most effective contribution of suppliers, personal involvement to ensure success.
• Communicating and Influencing - The ability to communicate effectively and to influence others to act and/or commit support to resolve, enhance or develop SLS business strategy and success.
• Customer Focus - Knowing who your customers are, keeping the meeting of their needs at the forefront of the mind & taking responsibility for the service delivered to them. Customers in this situation will be SL internal companies and SLS sales, marketing and PCC.
• Professionalism and Business Integrity - The ability and willingness to align behaviour with the objectives mission and values of SLS and to act in ways that present the most positive image of the company.
• Business Knowledge - Having an excellent grasp of investment administration, with specialisation in custodianship, brokerage, mutual funds or investment management. With a desire to become an investment expert in platforms covering Wrap's and Fund Supermarkets.
• Teamwork - Displaying the ability to contribute co-operatively & successfully, whether on a divisional or cross-divisional basis.
• Preference for Action - Grasping issues that require resolution & ensuring that appropriate effective action is taken. Ensuring items are owned, progressed and resolved.
• Decision Making and Judgement - The ability to exercise judgement and make decisions, either on own, or ensuring co-operation with divisional or cross-divisional basis to ensure a successful resolution for SL.
• Planning and Organising - The ability to develop clear and logical step-by-step plans for self and for others which set out what needs to happen, when, how and by whom.
• Networking - The desire and ability to build and maintain a network of contacts within and outside Standard Life who are or might be useful in achieving work related goals.
• Strategic Thinking - The ability to look broadly and see the whole process/picture and to see linkages and interdependencies which may not be obvious.
• Market and legislative knowledge - In-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the FSA regulations, HMRC and standard investment practices. .
• Product and process knowledge - In-depth and up-to-date knowledge of Standard Life's platform business, the dependencies with group pension's products & processes, retail and institutional investment business and the key internal / external staff involved.
• Project/Work package management - Strong product and process knowledge, combined with robust action plan and issue management.
• Negotiation - Effective communication and negotiating skills demonstrated in different mediums and at different levels. To ensure agreement, resolution and progression of projects and service issues.
• Communication - Ability to present material in required medium. For example, in report writing, or verbal, or written communication internally / externally a strong ability to document the key arguments or requirements is clear, concise and professional.
• Systems and technology ¬- Able to use relevant basic systems and the business understanding on how investment IT solutions work, as well as understanding the platform IT design.