Alliance Bernstein (AB), is a world-leading Investment Management Firm that is currently looking to hire former elite athletes transitioning into high-performing business roles. AB is an asset-management and research firm with a unique combination of expertise, ingenious solutions, and global reach that has committed to helping elite athletes transition from elite sport into their business. They have excellent cultures and values that are very compatible with those of elite athletes and we are delighted to be working with them.
AB is providing selected athletes with extremely interesting paid 6-month internship opportunities. The internships are specifically for former elite athletes looking to fast-track their careers in financial services.
Upon successful completion of the 6-month internship, there will be a conversion into a permanent role at AB with an increased salary and full benefits package.
These opportunities require all candidates to relocate to work in London. The start dates for these internships will be from Sept 2022 onwards.
Job Description
Department Name: EMEA Investment Management Operations
Job Title: Client Reporting Analyst
Reports to: Head of EMEA Investment Operations
Company Description
AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional clients, individuals and private clients in major markets around the world. AllianceBernstein employs more than 500 investment professionals with expertise in growth equities, value equities, fixed income securities, blend strategies, and alternative investments, and, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, operates in more than 20 countries. AllianceBernstein’s research disciplines include fundamental research, quantitative research, economic research and currency forecasting capabilities. Through its integrated global platform, AllianceBernstein is well-positioned to tailor investment solutions for its clients. AllianceBernstein also offers independent research, portfolio strategy and brokerage-related services to institutional investors.
Operations Group Description
The London Investment Management Operations Team provides Middle and Back Office Operations functions for the EMEA region’s client-base. These functions are delivered by a mixture of internal AllianceBernstein Operations professionals and via our strategic outsourcing partners.
Job Description
The incumbent will be a member of Client Reporting Team in London. The team is responsible for the provision of accurate and timely periodic reporting for EMEA clients. Clients require individually tailored packages which contain elements of valuation, transaction, performance, attribution, accounting and bespoke reporting.
Reporting will primarily be produced by our outsourcing partners, AXA-BS. However, analysts will retain some production responsibilities. The role has 3 main aspects: Oversight, Production and Client Servicing. In addition, we expect that team members will provide project support for any initiative when required.
The incumbent needs to ensure that the highest standards are always maintained in line with our procedures, operational excellence goals and agreed service levels
Responsibilities:
Oversight
* Carrying out a sample check on the reports completed by Axa-BS as documented in the oversight model.
* Reviewing and resolution of issues highlighted by Axa-BS through liaison with other departments.
* Ensure all SLA’s are adhered to using tools to monitor progress and escalating any issues as appropriate.
* Contribute to production calls where appropriate.
* To facilitate and perform training for Axa-BS when required.
* To assist Axa-BS partners in enhancing procedures and to approve this for BAU.
* Ability to adapt to new processes through Cross Training of tasks between teams.
* Production of management information including monthly SLA reports and commentary.
Production & Client Service Functions
* Produce regular client reports.
* Single point of contact for Client Relationship Associates, Portfolio Managers and Portfolio Implementation for all reporting needs.
* Responding to ad-hoc requests both from internal or external client’s e.g. Auditors, third party data or service providers, consultants etc.
* Support strategic departmental initiatives. Assist with project work when required, data gathering, analysis and user acceptance testing.
* Ensure all tasks are delivered efficiently. Continuous improvement required for all processes and the updating of all procedures.
* Organizing the printing and distribution of all client reporting delivered by post.
Job Qualifications
The ideal candidate should have the following:
* Minimum 3-5 years experience within the Asset Management, Banking or other financial services related business.
* IAQ or IMC or professional qualification preferred.
* Experience of Vermillion and strong excel skills
* Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
* Strong organizational and planning skills.
* Excellent attention to detail.
* Must be organised and able to multi-task often working to tight deadlines.
* Must be pro-active, flexible, and a problem solver.
* Must be highly professional interacting with several departments within the company.
* Must be a team player.
(NB This job description is not intended to establish a total definition of the position, but an outline of the responsibilities. Some additional tasks may be assigned).
JOB Description
Title: Reconciliation Oversight Analyst
Department: Investment Management Operations – Portfolio Administration
Company Description
AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional clients, individuals and private clients in major markets around the world. AllianceBernstein employs more than 500 investment professionals with expertise in growth equities, value equities, fixed income securities, blend strategies, and alternative investments, and, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, operates in more than 20 countries. AllianceBernstein’s research disciplines include fundamental research, quantitative research, economic research and currency forecasting capabilities. Through its integrated global platform, AllianceBernstein is well-positioned to tailor investment solutions for its clients. AllianceBernstein also offers independent research, portfolio strategy and brokerage-related services to institutional investors.
Operations
The Investment Management Operation team perform varied key operational and regulatory functions. It has been established to support and implement the all aspects of the day-to-day core operational activity for the organization. Products cover the full range of the firm’s ever-growing investment capabilities, including Fixed Interest, Equity, Index / Enhanced, as well as Alternative Investments, Blend, Multi-Asset strategies, with an expanding range of derivative content. There are extensive relations with many functions of the AllianceBernstein business, notably Investment Management, Product Development, Legal & Compliance, Marketing, Internal Audit, Transfer Agency, Corporate Accounting, as well as other departments within Global Operations and Information Technology.
Role Overview
Daily BAU reconciliations for the AllianceBernstein EMEA account base is carried out by the AB offshore unit who are located in Pune India. The Onshore Oversight team conduct daily management and oversight of the offshore team and act as first point of escalation for all queries related to their daily processes.
BAU Responsibilities of the offshore team:
* Daily Cash, Asset and derivative recon
* Processing of high value cash flows
* Break Resolution, liaising with internal and external stakeholders
* Assigning breaks to appropriate categories
* Market Value Recon
* Manual Data processing
Additional Onshore Oversight Duties
* Reviewing daily reporting of core reconciliations
* Holding weekly management meetings with offshore management
* Holding escalation follow ups with internal/external parties to close out aging breaks
* Review of monthly metrics
* Completion of offshore performance KPIs
* Holding Training Sessions for offshore members
* Participating in global conference calls and meetings
* Holding/Participating in Custodian Reviews
* Managing reconciliation aspects of all Account Transition activity
Required Product/Transaction Knowledge
* Equity
* Fixed Income
* Derivatives (SWAP, Options, Futures, Forwards)
* Corporate Events
* Collateral (cash/securities)
* STIFs
* DRIPs
* Paydown gain/losses
* SWIFT
Required System Knowledge
* CTC
* Bloomberg
Qualifications and Experience
* Degree level education preferred in relevant discipline (e.g. Accounting or Finance)
* 5 years of experience performing Asset Management accounting/reconciliation
* Experience with International Market practices, rules, and regulations
* Good Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
* Very strong English communication skills, both oral and written
Attributes
* Collaborative and team work with the ability to work autonomously
* Detailed-oriented and ability to work well under time constraints and with multiple tasks
* Understanding of operational risk and control; ability to assess risk and react
* A strong Compliance mind-set
* Ability to take direction as needed as well as being able to work independently and proactively
* Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize responsibilities, think independently, evaluate potential risks, and escalate items appropriately
* Work within a pressured environment, multi-task, and meet deadlines