Entry Level Operations Role
This is a procedures-focused role crucial to supporting various operational functions and ensuring the smooth execution of financial processes. Given the position’s focus on the preparation of client/internal reports and documents, transaction processing using internal systems and the creation of marketing materials, a strong orientation to detail is critical to supporting the team and firm. Strong organizational skills and high standards of accuracy and efficiency will contribute to success in this role. As this role functions in a small office environment, an openness to handling administrative and office support responsibilities (such as providing back-up support) in a proactive manner is essential. An important function to the role also involves marketing intelligence involving the gathering, analyzing and interpretation of data about the market, consumers and competitors. The role is classified at the assistant or associate levels depending on skills and experience.
Description
This is a procedures-focused role crucial to supporting various operational functions and ensuring the smooth execution of financial processes. Given the position’s focus on the preparation of client/internal reports and documents, transaction processing using internal systems and the creation of marketing materials, a strong orientation to detail is critical to supporting the team and firm. Strong organizational skills and high standards of accuracy and efficiency will contribute to success in this role. As this role functions in a small office environment, an openness to handling administrative and office support responsibilities (such as providing back-up support) in a proactive manner is essential. An important function to the role also involves marketing intelligence involving the gathering, analyzing and interpretation of data about the market, consumers and competitors. The role is classified at the assistant or associate levels depending on skills and experience.
Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Administrative Focus: Play a vital role in maintaining efficiency and productivity by allowing other team members to focus on their core responsibilities. Perform a range of administrative tasks including correspondence, following protocols, covering for team members who are not in the office, and understanding there may be instances you would be asked to perform responsibilities outside the scope of the job description.
Transaction Processing: Execute and reconcile financial transactions, including trade orders, settlements, and payments accurately and within specified timeframes. Verify transaction details and resolve discrepancies promptly. Maintain knowledge of the trading system and settlement procedures.
New Clients: Assist the sales team in identifying quality leads by using data to support strategic decision-making. Assist in setting up new client accounts and maintain knowledge of those individual clients and their investment policies. Maintain confidentiality of client information.
Account Maintenance: Monitor and update client account information while ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines. Responding to client inquiries related to account status and transaction history in a timely manner.
Data Management: Maintain and update databases with accurate financial information, ensuring data integrity and security. Prepare regular and custom reports and analyze data to support decision-making processes. Maintain key contacts and consultants for each client, including correspondence and key documentation.
Compliance and Regulation: Stay current with industry regulations, guidelines, and internal policies. Assist in ensuring adherence to compliance requirements in all operational activities.
Reconciliation: Conduct regular reconciliations of financial records, identify and resolve discrepancies. Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues.
Documentation and Reporting: Generate and maintain documentation related to operational processes, including procedures, manuals, and process flows. Prepare comprehensive reports for management and regulatory authorities.
Vendor Management: Collaborate with external vendors and service providers to ensure seamless integration and performance. Manage vendor relationships and assess their performance regularly.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with various internal teams, including finance, compliance, and client services, to achieve operational objectives and deliver exceptional service to clients. This may include preparation of presentations, coordination of communications and marketing support.
Knowledge of Brandes Products: Maintain current knowledge regarding Brandes’ investment philosophy and rationale, products, services and library of marketing documents.
Risk Management: Assist in monitoring operational risks and implementing risk mitigation strategies. Identify potential risks and work with the team to develop preventive measures.
Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate operational processes and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. Implement approved process changes and monitor their effectiveness.
Job Requirements
Action-Oriented Mindset: Consistently able to take initiative and proactively get things done. Willing to volunteer to help colleagues. Drives results and takes charge. Understands the importance of accountability and takes responsibility for decisions and actions.
Detail Oriented: Ability to pay close attention to details with an emphasis on being thorough and precise. Focuses on the right details. This is a key requirement for the position.
Computer Literate: Exemplary MS Office skills including PowerPoint, Word and Excel. External database experience such as Morningstar direct, Evestment and a general experience with internal/external data tools/solutions a definite plus. Grasps new technical skills quickly.
Digital Organization and Time Management: Proficiency in using tools, apps or software to keep track of tasks, meetings and deadlines. Ability to plan and allocate time wisely. Sets priorities and follows through.
Adaptable: Adapts to changes in the work environment and embraces new challenges. Comfortable navigating through uncertain or changing environments.
Emotional Intelligence: Ability and interest in building positive and respectful relationships with colleagues, clients and teams. Understands the importance of building relationships with colleagues contributing to the positive culture of team. Active listener.
Resilient: Receptive to performance feedback and open to learning and enhancing skills based on feedback. Able to receive and apply feedback.
Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills: Ability to approach problems in a methodical way, considering multiple perspectives and solutions. Able to collect, process, interpret and evaluate information in a logical and systematic manner. Requires knowledge of general mathematics.
Strong Communicator: Ability to convey and interpret information effectively using spoken, written or non-verbal methods. Expresses thoughts, ideas, emotions and intentions while also understand other’s messages.
Financial Curiosity: Shows interest about financial matters through seeking opinions. Ability to engage in discussions about finance based on formal education, past experience, reading, research and blogs, participation in workshops, following financial influencers or attending finance events.
Physical Capacity: Ability to sit, type, read paper documents and work on a screen for extended periods of time.
Qualifications
A relevant third level honours degree and 1-2 years of relevant experience within the financial services industry with a solid understanding of securities markets, and the investment management industry with a focus on operational and back-office processes (UCITS and segregated accounts).
We provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants. All candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. will not request credit information or reports (or other sensitive information) from a job candidate via email. Please report any suspicious emails from Brandes at Careers@Brandes.com.