Client Servicing Analyst

Company Description

As a leading global investment management firm, AB fosters diverse perspectives and embraces innovation to help our clients navigate the uncertainty of capital markets. Through high-quality research and diversified investment services, we serve institutions, individuals, and private wealth clients in major markets worldwide. Our ambition is simple: to be our clients’ most valued asset-management partner.

With over 4,400 employees across 51 locations in 25 countries, our people are our advantage. We foster a culture of intellectual curiosity and collaboration to create an environment where everyone can thrive and do their best work. Whether you're producing thought-provoking research, identifying compelling investment opportunities, infusing new technologies into our business, or providing thoughtful advice to clients, we’re looking for unique voices to help lead us forward. If you’re ready to challenge your limits and build your future, join us.

Job Description Summary

The Client Servicing Onboarding Analyst provides a high level of support for the take on and ongoing service of AB Institutional clients. The individual will Project manage new client onboarding activity and act as a first and ongoing point of contact for any operational client service needs. The key objective is to achieve internal and external client satisfaction during the full client lifecycle.

Responsibilities/Prime Functions 

• Work closely with internal stakeholders to manage fund/mandate launches, closures, and transition events (Custodian Changes, Name changes, In Specie Transitions, Benchmark Changes)
• Project Manage the end to end process and mitigate risks associated with fund/mandate launches, closures, and transition events
• Manage communication with external parties e.g. custodians, administrators, transition managers and in some instances the underlying client throughout the life cycle of the event
• Manage communication internally and externally during events to ensure all stakeholders are aware of progress and are contributing towards the target completion dates
• Manage the operational set up of each transition event on internal systems and establish custodial accounts and linkage
• Work closely with the Legal team to co-ordinate the review of the IMA between internal stakeholders
• Work closely with the Derivatives Administration team to facilitate the set-up of Trading Agreements for trading of derivative products
• Ensure that market openings for new clients are completed in advance of funding date and new market requests are completed on a timely basis for existing clients
• Co-ordinate the review and approval of Operating Memorandum Reviews and Operational SLA’s (legally contractual documents outlining the services the asset manager commits to provide to client and or their administrator).
• Provide direct client servicing for all operational queries related to the ongoing management of EMEA client accounts
• Maintain awareness of internal team’s processes and controls as well as the changing regulatory environment
• Foster and maintain strong working relationships with other functional areas of the business as required
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external service and system providers
• Adhere to SLA’s as defined within the Client Servicing procedures.

Secondary Functions: 

• Participation in department initiatives and projects.
• Ongoing review of current systems, procedures and processes, making recommendations for improvement, where required.
• Participate in Operational Risk initiatives as required.

What We’re Looking For:

Skills / Experience required

• Candidates will have a degree or alternatively minimum A Level standard of education with a solid track record in a similar client servicing / operational role to be considered.
• Relevant industry professional qualifications (such as the IMC or IAQ’s) are desirable, but not essential.
• Minimum 1-2 years of experience on the buy-side in either a client servicing or operational role.
• Additional European languages would be a distinct advantage also
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong industry knowledge regarding Operations Middle and Back Office functions; Settlements, Confirmations, Reconciliation, Client Reporting, Performance, Pricing & valuation, Corporate Actions, Client Guideline Management.
• Experience of financial systems, e.g. SWIFT, TLM, Bloomberg, custodian proprietary systems, Portfolio Accounting Systems (e.g. HiPortfolio, Portia, etc).
• Competent user of MS Office suite.
• Strong experience of manual and automated reconciliations.
• Strong knowledge of Investment Product Classes; Equity, Fixed Income, Forwards, Derivatives, Alternatives
• Strong knowledge of Trading and Investment principles.
• Experience in liaising with brokers, custodians and fund accountants.
• Flexible approach to a multi-tasking work environment.
• Demonstrates an ability to work with minimal supervision, as well as within a team environment
• Demonstrates an ability to identify and evaluate potential risks and escalate items appropriately.

(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).