Associate Implementation Specialist Jobs in Chicago, IL

The Position

The Portfolio Implementation team directly supports Portfolio Managers and builds relationships internally with Trading, Client Service, Product Managers, Legal and Compliance counterparts, and other operational teams. 

On a day-to-day basis, Portfolio Implementation Specialists actively monitor portfolios and markets to assist Portfolio Managers in the management of client assets.  The Portfolio Implementation team is positioned between Portfolio Managers and the Harris trading desk to support all Harris product types and is responsible for performing order origination, pre-trade compliance, cash flows and dispersion monitoring.  Portfolio Implementation Specialists are encouraged to utilize critical thinking skills to provide creative solutions and develop key tools and reporting methods to support the Portfolio Management team.

The Senior Portfolio Implementation Specialist reports to the Manager of Portfolio Implementation and resides within Front Office Operations. This individual will need to excel in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment and be proactive in establishing productive relationships with key stakeholders throughout the process.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Portfolio Managers and Traders to facilitate the implementation of investment strategies via order origination in Charles River IMS for all Harris client and product types.
• Utilize critical thinking skills to anticipate portfolio management needs and provide suggestions for portfolio adjustments.
• Perform dispersion monitoring and provide recommendations to Portfolio Managers on portfolio rebalances.
• Conduct all pre-trade compliance reviews and monitor portfolio positions versus client and regulatory guidelines. Propose adjustments to Portfolio Managers to ensure adherence to guidelines.  Liaise with Compliance, Client Service, and PMs on guideline resolutions.
• Review and monitor cash levels across all products. Perform cash flow management to meet client cash directives.
• Perform client account onboarding activities and transitions. Ability to translate written client guidelines into enforceable rules in Charles River IMS.  Participate in IMA review process and provide feedback on behalf of Portfolio Management team.
• Respond to ad hoc requests from Portfolio Managers. Pro-actively provide analytical support and improvement suggestions to portfolio management deliverables.
• Perform trading updates for model delivery clients in accordance with trade rotation policy.
• Monitor for tax trading opportunities and provide suggestions to PMs for potential tax trades.
• Understand, originate and validate derivative transactions. 
• Coordinate responses with PM team for corporate action elections.
• Facilitating the due diligence and implementation of unique portfolio management scenarios, including, but not limited to in-kind transfers, account open/terminations, cross trades, secondary offerings and private placements.
• Perform quality control over team activities when requested.
• Participate in meetings with clients, and external parties when appropriate.
• Assist with trade error responses and remediations.
• Demonstrate awareness about related processes such as settlements, accounting, security reference data and corporate action processing by offering insights about the entire system or help trouble shoot outside of the immediate.
• Engage in process improvements and enhancements as it pertains to the Portfolio Implementation process with the goal of improving Front Office Operational efficiency and mitigating operational risk.
• Demonstrate proficiency with Charles River IMS and independently perform order management workflows and analyze portfolios within the platform.
• Work directly with Technology organization and lead efforts to enhance Charles River
• Demonstrate deep mastery of all standard Portfolio Implementation workflows and perform oversite and guidance to junior members of the team. Learn advanced workflows and specialty order/trading situations.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the investment management industry.
• Knowledge of investment process, and understanding of various product types.
• Experience reviewing client and regulatory guidelines.
• Interest in financial markets and instruments.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to communicate with individuals at all levels of the firm.

Willingness to learn

• Charles River IMS
• Bloomberg/FactSet
• Salesforce