Marlborough Group is a successful investment business that manages over £15 billion for over 200,000 clients and employs some of the UK’s most respected fund managers. The Group has its headquarters in Bolton and offices in London, Lichfield, Peterborough, Bristol and Dublin.

The Group employ more than 150 people across its business lines being:

• Marlborough Limited – The Group’s investment management business
• Investment Fund Services Limited – The groups Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) Authorised Fund Manager business
• Select Platform – The Group’s platform business

Marlborough Group’s success has been built on a reputation for excellence in active fund management, with the Group leading the way in industry expertise, service quality, product understanding and added value for our investors.

As we continue with our ambitious growth plans, we are looking for talented people who share our values and will grow and develop as financial services professionals. That means putting our investors at the forefront of everything we do and constantly striving for excellence in the service we deliver.

In addition to receiving a comprehensive benefits package, successful candidates will join a team who are committed to collaborative working in an environment where personal and professional development are genuinely valued.

Role Purpose

To support the Head of Operations Oversight to ensure high quality output and regulatory compliance of Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting and Middle Office activities outsourced to a third-party service provider.

Support key stakeholders in respect of outsourced operational services, ensuring the operational effectiveness of systems and controls intended to achieve compliance with applicable regulations, ensuring that the firm adheres to its obligations to both the regulator and its clients.

To be a secondary point of contact with the auditors for SOC, CASS and Fund audit engagements, to ensure audits are completed in a professional and timely manner, in conjunction with the outsourced service provider, and that all resulting management actions are followed up to a high standard and in accordance with all stipulated deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

· Ongoing monitoring and due diligence to ensure adherence to and deviation from contractual key performance indicators and service level agreements in respect of outsourced operational services.

· Working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that appropriate systems and controls are in place to enable the firm to comply with its obligations.

· Understand and challenge the output from third party service providers to ensure the required standards are being achieved.

· Overseeing the output of operational activities to ensure adherence to business requirements and controls designed to meet regulatory standards, and the identification and mitigation of operational risk.

· Assist with providing support and guidance on projects and business changes that have an impact on the firm’s obligations within fund operations.

• Reviewing all breaches, providing specific direction and support to the relevant risk owner to ensure appropriate remediation action and escalation is being taken.
• Continually review controls to ensure any risks are managed effectively.

· Ensure the timely and accurate response to queries raised by both the outsourced service provider and the firm’s delegates and clients.

· Preparing and presenting high quality, accurate and meaningful MI for the firm’s Operations Committees.

· Attend Service Review Meetings and Due Diligence assessments, as required, and provide input for reports to senior management on findings.

· Maintain the delivery of continuous improvement plans. Monitor and challenge continuous improvement plans of the third-party service providers.

Skills

• Attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to problem solve and deal with complex, time-sensitive projects
• Ability to prioritise & work to strict deadlines
• PC literacy and internet skills

Qualifications

• IOC (Investment Operations Certificate) qualification
• Appropriate CPD

Experience

• In depth experience of outsourced operational oversight.
• Proven, demonstrable experience of working within and maintaining an operation control environment

Personal Qualities

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence at all organisational levels, and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure
• Flexibility and resilience
• Positive, collaborative attitude
• Ability and desire to make a positive contribution to both the team and the firm
• Ability to identify potential issues and escalate and articulate appropriately
• An excellent team player who operates collaboratively and with transparency.
• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously where required.

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
• 25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays and the option to buy / sell up to 5
• Your birthday off
• 9% non-contributory pension
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• Private Healthcare Scheme
• Death in Service at 5 x annual salary
• 35 hour working week
• Training for IOC and other relevant qualifications
• Exam completion bonus £500 (IOC)
• Study leave
• Cycle 2 work scheme
• Eye test reimbursement
• Your birthday off
• 13 weeks fully paid maternity leave
• 2 weeks fully paid paternity leave