Consultant, Operations Control PE
OPERATIONS CONTROL-REAL ESTATE/PRIVATE EQUITY - CONSULTANT
Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust is one of the world’s leading financial institutions. We specialise in providing asset servicing solutions and asset management to both institutional and personal clients.
The delivery of products and services to this client base is supported through a network of offices around the globe. Real Estate & REIF is a rapidly expanding business within Global Fund Services area of Northern trust with operations covering APAC, EMEA & the US space.
ROLE
The GFS Control role is a proactive role responsible for oversight of the operational control structure of the business units for Real Estate & Private Equity (REIF/PE). The Control Consultant provides proactive leadership and guidance to staff partners to strengthen controls, ensure compliance and mitigate operational risk.
This Individual Contributor role which reports to the C&IS Control Lead will provide an opportunity for the successful candidate to develop knowledge and experience of a dynamic environment spread across all investment vehicles and markets.
MAJOR DUTIES
• Foster and promote Northern’s commitment to a strong risk management culture by developing a control mindset within the business.
• Lead the development of controls and measures to identify excessive operational risk and/or control problems at an early stage and ensures that immediate measures are taken to maintain quality and efficiency standards.
• Ensure that current policies and procedures are in place (and are being followed) for business unit functions and are in compliance with organizational standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure proper preventative and detective controls are in place for business functions and drive recommendations to strengthen control.
• Ensure Business Continuity requirements are adhered to, with no deviation from agreed procedures and processes.
• Act as an escalation point for risk and control related matters for the entire department.
• Partner with various risk management and control groups throughout the organization.
• Assist with reviewing all operational losses within the department, analyzing for trends/root causes. Recommend and implement controls, solutions and training.
• Serve as department assistant lead for all audits and regulatory examinations. Track and monitor all audit report and regulatory examination findings to ensure all open issues are resolved and closed in a timely manner.
• Support regional control teams with audit, trustee & compliance reviews.
• Assist with operational and/or corporate risk & control initiatives where directed.
• Aid the department’s compliance with the requirements of current training & competence regulatory regime.
• Participate in, and contribute to Service Level Review meetings between multiple locations
• Stay up to date with industry changes that may impact the risk & quality of our service.
• Should have the ability to maintain various MIS reports and should ensure timely completion of all the MIS and other ad-hoc reports to be submitted to management.
• Liaising effectively with the business and other internal groups and external parties
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Perform proactive focused reviews according to agreed priorities of end to end processes and/or clients and key risk areas to maintain quality levels & identify areas for enhancement
• Review any region specific regulatory issues. Make recommendations and control implementation by Business Unit.
• Liaise with related central areas including Compliance and Operational Risk and local Managers who deliver our services to clients
• Work closely with local management to determine priorities and objectives for performing reviews.
• Initiate quality related projects ensuring adequate business plans are created and signed off by all relevant business areas
• Assist with periodic procedure reviews for existing processes, as well as those for new processes created by implementations and take-on activity.
• Assist with the maintenance and testing of the Business Continuity Plan, liaising with the regional business units being supported by India for ‘Transfer of Work’ continuity planning.
• Ensure the department complies with the requirements of any Training & Competence regulatory regime
• Follow the goals and priorities based on the direction set for the section.
• Ensure consistent best practice and monitor the regional standards
• Produce accurate management information reporting and analysis to deadline
• Maintain effective communication channels at all levels
• Track all review actions / reporting to Senior Management and plan effectively to meet the deadlines set.
• Keep abreast of industry and regulatory developments that may impact the risk and quality of our service.
• Assess operational readiness of the business unit’s ability to take on new clients, processes, or perform system migrations.
• Ensure preventative controls are in place following procedure & process failures.
• Ability to work on ad-hoc activities.
SKILLS
• Strong understanding of end to end process within PE and REIF
• Strong attention to detail and organization skills.
• Good analytical, numerical and reasoning skills
• Ability to systematically assess & challenge existing processes.
• Knowledge of risk management techniques and proven ability to identify and asses risk in business processes, migration activity and new products.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry best practices like CASS, IMR, AIFMD, FATCA, will be an added advantage
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills are necessary to consult with partners/clients throughout the organization as well as regulators and auditors.
• Effective data analytical and project management skills are essential to help drive various initiatives.
• Self-starter with the ability to function independently in a fast-paced, dynamic and demanding environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office (particularly Excel, PowerPoint & Word)
• Knowledge of Alteryx, Power BI would be an added advantage
• Strong command on language & report writing skills
QUALIFICATION
• Overall experience of 8+ years preferably in Fund administration or related domain
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements
• Strong accounting / financial services/ auditing/ capital markets work experience or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in Accounting, CA, CFA or ICWA
• Should be flexible for shifts and extended working hours.