UK Head of Middle Office

Our client is an Asset Management firm that, as part of a global banking group, has recently come under new joint ownership.  This is a "greenfield" opportunity to join as UK Head of Middle Office and build out the function.  The (Country) Middle Office Department is to support the business in 3 key areas: the Front Office Support Team; the Institutional Support Team and the Front Office Administrator.    This role will report into the Global Head of Middle Office and the UK COO.

The successful applicant will have experience of Fund of Funds, Fixed Income and Equities.  They will also have significant experience in implementing new operating models, managing stakeholders across large organisations, and IT project experience.

Principal Accountabilities 

Institutional Support: –

• Managing product and customer catalogues
• Dealing with customer operations: cash management, position accounts, special operations, customer requirements, certificates, etc. 
• Overseeing flows reconciliation and liaise with resolving departments
• Delivering ad hoc customer reports aligned with the country regulations
• Provides 2nd level support for the customer, handling discrepancies in the information flow and connecting with the different company areas, providing guidance and cooperation for their resolution
• Oversees all incidences caused by a failure in close collaboration with the resolving agents
• Coaches new players into the company’s processes
• Coordinates the research and analysis of possible options in the customer support to enhance the operations
• Follows up the internal departmental score card, embedded in the Global Middle Office Department governance

Front Office Support: –

• Manages Front Office special operations including trade matching
• Coordinates all operations being the nexus between the Front and Back Office areas in the company
• Liaises with fellow Front Office teams as well as traders, brokers and other support areas of the firm
• Handles discrepancies in the information flow connecting with the different company areas, providing guidance and cooperation for their resolution
• Oversees all incidences caused by a failure with Front Office people in close collaboration with the resolving agents
• Coaches new players into the company’s processes
• Strikes to improve any processes actively participating in the Front Office company initiatives
• Follows up the internal departmental score card, embedded in the Global Middle Office Department governance

Knowledge/Experience
Significant background and experience within financial services industry, including Middle Office functions, client support areas: –

• Ability to demonstrate a good understanding of end-to-end investment operations life-cycle
• Familiarity with customer support maintenance: products and customer catalogues, client special operations, etc. 
• Understanding institutional reporting requirements, having worked in client applications for this purpose
• Experience with customer IT system and institutional reporting required
• Experience in customer service/negotiating problem resolutions preferred
• Familiarity with broker confirmation protocols and data level knowledge for Omgeo CTM, OASYS Direct
• Understanding of SWIFT messages and established market practice for Equities, Fixed Income, Futures/Options, FX, Fixed Deposit and payments messages
• Ideally you will have exposure to Bloomberg AIM 
• Any knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese will be advantageous

Skills 

• High level knowledge of country regulations and industry standards
• Motivated to achieve new skills and knowledge as the business develops
• Capacity to adapt to developing business models and respond positively to change, both locally and globally
• Ability to work accurately under pressure and to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Excellent problem solving skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Proactive, dynamic individual who can implement process changes

Contact

Robert Calhoun
Hipparchus Financial
rob@hipparchus.co.uk
www.hipparchus.co.uk
http://uk.linkedin.com/in/robcalhoun
Mob: +44 (0) 7808 829 205