Job title: Senior Associate Client Onboarding and Servicing – Investment
Company: Willis Towers Watson
Job description: We are currently looking for a Senior Associate to join the Onboarding and Client Servicing team in Toronto, reporting to the Head of Operations, Canada. This team supports the WTW Delegated Investment Solutions (DIS) business (also referred to as OCIO or Outsourced Chief Investment Officer services) and is part of a wider Global Investment Operations group of 160 colleagues.
In this role, your core focus will be on supporting our clients from onboarding through to providing them with monthly reports and responding to queries for predominately institutional clients who invest in Pooled Funds and Alternative Investments. The Senior Associate will execute and oversee the onboarding of a new client and a new manager to our platform, while also leading the generation and delivery of monthly client reports and responding to client and other team questions and requests. As a Senior Associate, you will support the oversight, development, and mentorship of the team Associate.
As an experienced professional, the Senior Associate will promote industry best practices, a desire for accuracy and drive solutions for more efficient workflows, allowing for increased scalability for a growing business that is undergoing a transformation to a Global Operating model.
Note: Employment-based non-immigrant visa sponsorship and/or assistance is not offered for this specific job opportunity.
The Role
- Onboarding
- Collaborate and work with the client, internal legal and the client’s legal counsel to negotiate and execute our services agreement and other onboarding documents.
- Use strong client servicing skills to lead a discovery meeting with the client to better understand the client’s current investment structure, plans and other requirements, and document and share such with the wider WTW team.
- Create detailed onboarding plans that encompass the necessary tasks for internal and external teams, and manager its implementation to ensure our operational team can effectively and accurately begin trading on the onboarding date
- Co-ordinate and lead calls with the client’s trustee/custodian and legacy fund managers to ensure all trading processes are obtained, documented and confirmed.
- Work with internal compliance to ensure all necessary documentation is obtained for our Anti-Money Laundering review.
- Work with internal teams, including legal, to negotiate and execute an agreement with new managers
- Co-ordinate with other internal teams to approve funds for investment by new and existing clients.
- Client Services
- Using custom processes, generate, review for accuracy, and deliver monthly statements to all delegated clients.
- Review requests received from clients, internal and external teams and, if necessary, reach out to others for input, and assistance, being sure to respond in a timely, confident and accurate manner.
- Requests may include topics such as our services, report distribution, authorized signers’ lists, and plan investment audit requests.
- Manage and ensure collection of annual AML documentation follow-ups, collection of annual HST plan information needs for Canadian managers and client eblasts for regulatory purposes
- Foster and encourage strong relationships with external stakeholders such as investment managers, custodians, and trustees.
- Team Leader
- Support the Head of Operations in overseeing, leading, motivating and mentoring the team Associate.
- Support and encourage healthy collaboration with key internal stakeholders, including Middle Office, Portfolio Management, Trade Management, Client Consulting, and the Global Operations team.
- Keep procedure documents and template emails up to date, constantly monitoring for required amendments.
- Encourage a culture of accountability with adherence to relevant compliance, risk management and error policies.
- Transition to Global Operating Model
- As a member of a wider team, Global Investment Operations, support the evolution of the Canadian business to the Global Operations Model. Confidently articulate ideas for process improvement. You will be encouraged to question the status quo, and lead efficiency projects, large or small, to improve Onboarding and Client Servicing practices globally.
Role is located in Toronto. We offer a flexible work environment and currently have two anchor days per week where the team is expected to work from the office.
The Requirements
- A minimum of 5 years of successful experience in a related function within investments and client services, with one year as a supporting Team lead
- Demonstrated knowledge of trading operations. Including an understanding of trade cycles
- A good understanding of institutional clients and related products e.g. Pension Plans, Pooled Funds and Alternative Investments
- Demonstrated understanding of the Canadian financial regulatory environment
- Experience with creating efficiencies, including implementing new controls for risk management.
- Exceptional attention to detail is essential.
- Proven interest and capabilities in recognizing areas for improvement; capable of driving efficiency projects and in advising on new/alternative best practices to evolve workflows. You enjoy working with clients
- Strong oral and written communication skills. English is required. French is an asset.
- You align with WTW values of Client Focus, Teamwork, Integrity and Excellence. We value inclusivity, respect and diversity.
- Undergraduate degree in Business, Math or Finance, or equivalent experience with professional certifications
- A proven interest in finance, demonstrating a curiosity to continue to learn and grow as the industry changes
Equal Opportunity Employer
Expected salary:
Location: Toronto, ON
Job date: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:49:17 GMT
