Portfolio Manager's Assistant: West End Boutique Wealth Management & Institutional Asset Manageme...

Portfolio Manager’s Assistant: West End Boutique Wealth Management & Institutional Asset Management company (newly created department)

Martis Search are representing a London-based boutique Asset Management company to hire a permanent “Portfolio Manager’s Assistant.”

This is a brand newly created department through business growth, so it is a really exciting opportunity and a key hire for the business. The role sits within their “Investment Operations” team and is a great opportunity for someone to put their stamp on the department and develop processes as the business grows.

The department will support a team of “Portfolio Managers” in the implementation of discretionary managed investments and responsibility for clients' deal execution and cash management.

The chosen incumbent will be responsible for their full array of client portfolios across different asset classes they invest in on behalf of their clients such as Cash Equities, Fixed Income, Fund-of-Funds, Fund of Hedge Funds, and Private Equity (Direct Investments and Private Equity Funds).

This is a varied Operational role which requires the individual to be extremely organised, diligent, and able to juggle competing priorities. This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, close-knit team building a dynamic, new, and fast-growing business. This is still largely an Operational role and, at least in the first 2 years or so of employment, is not a “stepping-stone” to become a Portfolio Manager or “Investment Analyst.”

If you only have Front Office aspirations in your next role, this role might not be for you (our client is not saying that opportunities might arise in the future, but they would prefer someone from a more Operational background and with an “Operational” mindset).

The variety of the role is amazing. You will work closely with both the Portfolio Managers and their Middle Office Operations team (sitting next to both on the same floor) and be responsible for a huge array of tasks such as:

A small snapshot of some responsibilities includes, but are not limited to:

• Rebalancing of Fund Portfolios and Liquidity requirements.
• Capital Calls.
• Cash Management.
• FX Hedging.
• Trade Execution.
• Engaging with Custodians, Transfer Agents, and 3rd party Administrators.

There will be loads of technical Operational projects to be involved with too, building robust processes for this newly created department, such as systems enhancements and continual process improvement. Having strong Excel skills is mandatory, and coding using Python and/or VBA is also highly advantageous. You will work closely with the Portfolio Manager team every day and act as an “internal business partner,” often with direct client contact, so you need to have exemplary communication skills, both spoken (i.e., face-to-face or on the phone) and in written form (emails and process documents, etc.).

The role requires someone with extensive Wealth Management & Institutional Asset Management Operations experience as either a senior “Investment Operations Analyst,” “Fund Manager’s Assistant,” or “Portfolio Manager’s Assistant” from a reputable multi-billion dollar AUM Asset Management company.

This is an amazing opportunity to join a growing boutique Asset Manager and to really make your mark on the business. The role reports into a senior Operations Manager and the company already boasts a multi-billion dollar AUM. The business is growing with new clients coming onboard and new market/investment ideas being generated too.

Their client base is a mix of global “Ultra-High-Net-Worth” individuals and families, as well as Institutional clients such as Pension Funds and Insurance companies. Our client expects someone to have strong Asset Management Operations experience (as a Head of Operations) across both client types.

Full Responsibilities

• Systemic management of portfolios to plans/proposed allocations/models – coordinating with the investment team & portfolio managers on an ongoing cycle to ensure effective implementation of investments.
• Management of rebalancing and liquidity requirements in portfolios.
• Placing trades on our in-house system, instructing them via STP and manually via email. Following up with custodians and fund administrators to ensure trades are placed in a timely manner.
• Active ongoing cash management, checking overdrafts, preparing FX instructions, and ensuring capital call instructions are paid on time.
• Ongoing review and improvement of existing operating models ensuring we are executing as efficiently and effectively as possible.
• Assisting the portfolio managers with day-to-day management of clients and their portfolios.
• Monitoring the ‘PE Inbox’ and ‘PE Fund Notices Inbox’ and actioning any items received.
• Ensuring all data produced for clients and within our systems is accurate.
• Liaising with Middle Office regarding portfolio onboarding/changes which need to be reflected within internal systems.
• Completing subscription docs, account opening forms, custody account opening, liaising with fund administrators.
• Liaising with clients and/or client representatives regarding ad hoc matters e.g., payment instructions.
• Assisting with projects such as client onboarding and custodian transfers.
• Assisting with maintenance of client data within internal systems.

Requirements

• Experience working within a discretionary management environment in an operations or portfolio assistant role and understanding the comprehensive deal cycle for funds, securities, hedge funds, and private equity investments, including relevant experience of the listed responsibilities, particularly with regard to Family Offices, Private Equity investments, and Funds.
• Self-starter with good management skills.
• Intermediate Excel skills alongside other Microsoft Office products.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and possessing excellent time management skills.
• The role requires excellent commercial awareness and good judgement with responsibility for running processes across the broad operational needs of the company, liaising with and utilising external third-party advisors/platforms and clients, as required.
• Ability to effectively manage interactions/relationships across all business functions.