Senior Manager of Investment Operations

Department
 

Investment Operations and Pensions

About the Department
 

The Office of Investments is committed to protecting and growing the University of Chicago’s endowment assets to support UChicago’s mission of inquiry and academic excellence. Our office invests the University’s endowment while operating under the guidance of the University’s Board of Trustees Investment Committee. The University of Chicago’s endowment pool is one of the 20 largest private university endowments in the United States.

Job Summary
 

The Investment Office is seeking a Senior Manager to provide leadership and manage the professional staff responsible for executing day-to-day investment operations. The Senior Manager is accountable for the performance of four-to-five professional staff responsible for facets of operational risk management, information and data supporting investment decision making, fiduciary and regulatory compliance, and organizational reporting. The Senior Manager will develop departmental plans, including operational and organizational priorities, and improve and clarify policies to support internal controls. The Senior Manager reports to the Assistant Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and will attend meetings on their behalf.

Responsibilities

• Manages Investment Operations by ensuring all investment transactions and asset movements take place on an accurate, timely, and efficient basis; are recorded properly; and are reported accurately and appropriately. Oversees derivatives holdings, including daily collateral transactions. Facilitates capital calls and distributions, including securities liquidations, for private equity; manages hedge fund transactions, including redemptions. Manages commingled fund investments, including notification requirements and liquidity parameters. Oversees all asset transitions, monitoring funds movements and ensuring accurate performance measurement. Oversees time-sensitive investment-related communications including fund amendments, regulatory compliance filings, class actions, corporate actions, and redemption notices. 
• Comprehensive control environment establishment and ongoing management, including quality control, reconciliation and review throughout. Utilization of appropriate legal documentation, delegations of authority, and fraud management. Develops appropriate documentation when needed. Manages controlled access to information and accounts throughout the network of interfaces and in conjunction with data transmittal. 
• Manages liquidity, including weekly cash forecasting and reporting, Board reporting, tracking sources and uses, and monitoring/developing industry liquidity analytic methodologies. 
• Manages the collection of requisite data, documents, and reports for the Annual Audit, financial reporting, and regulatory filing support. 
• Develops documentation, both internally and externally, to support ongoing operations, business continuity preparedness, and fiduciary compliance. 
• Primary contact to conduct operational due diligence on the custodian, current and vendor/supplier. Provides direction to the COO on setting appropriate budgets, tracking spending, and reporting issues.  
• Responsible for the integration of operational risk management practices into specific tasks, such as checks and balances, checklists, tolerance thresholds, escalation procedures, customized reporting, and operational calendar. 
• Manages a team of professionals responsible for all facets of investment operations and governance compliance.  
• Manages managers and professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates. 
• Manages the planning, analysis and implementation of the University's investment policy and operations. 
• Performs other related work as needed.  

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• MBA or advanced degree in finance, economics, or related field.   

Experience:

• At least 5-7 years experience working in an investment office environment with increasing responsibilities.
• Relationship management with custodial bank and third-party vendors.

Certifications:

• Successful completion of the Project Management Professional® PMP certification.
• Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM®).

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Excel, Tableau, as well as experience with multiple data sources and software packages.

Preferred Competencies

• Superior analytical skills and a proven track record of incorporating quantitative and qualitative inputs. Think strategically, analyze critically, and synthesize and effectively communicate complex strategies.   
• A demonstrated leader with the confidence and professional credibility to cultivate relationships with both internal and external constituents, and make effective oral presentations representing the University of Chicago in a highly professional manner.  
• A high level of intellectual curiosity.  
• A team player who is easy to get along with and is comfortable working across teams.  
• Constructively challenge, skillfully diplomatic, and respectfully debate.  
• An energetic, hardworking individual with a proven track record as a collaborator.  
• An interest in supporting the work of a university endowment.
• Excellent judgement, high integrity and personal values consistent with the values articulated by the University of Chicago’s leadership.
• Excellent skills in effectively synthesizing analysis and applying to business solutions.  
• Good executive communication and influencing skills, with strong oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and presentation skills; able to influence several key senior constituencies.  
• Outstanding creativity, intelligence and problem-solving ability.  
• Previous experience in managing, training, or developing professionals who support decision making.  

Working Conditions

• In office Monday - Wednesday, remote work optional for Thursday and Friday.
• Travel to Hyde Park from time to time.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Financial Management

Role Impact
 

People Manager

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.