Job Description

•All Waystone employees are expected to demonstrate our core competencies as outlined below. The role of Investment Operations Manager has unique requirements and duties; however, these responsibilities are to be executed within the organization's framework of core values. Waystone expects all employees to be high performing, self-motivated, learners and leaders.•






Summary of the role: The Investment Operations Manager is tasked with supervising the operations pertaining to the management and distribution of investment funds. Additional duties include maintaining a comprehensive oversight program overseeing the various key service providers to the investment funds and helping to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance for all mandates. The role will also require preparing regular reporting for distribution both internally and to external stakeholders.






This position plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of investment activities, adherence to regulatory standards, and the provision of superior service to stakeholders. The most suitable candidate for this role is expected to have a robust background in investment operations and/or fund distribution, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of the financial markets.




ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


• Maintain and exemplify a joined-up oversight program overseeing fund administrators, custodians, distributors, and investment managers.
• Review of Service Level Agreements to ensure deliverables are adequately described.
• Attendance of service reviews.
• Review of KPI's
• Engage in the key Net Asset Value oversight for underlying funds, which includes:
• Validating NAVs produced by Fund Administrators
• Review of individual asset valuations to ensure alignment with pricing policies.
• Fund Budget creation, review and ongoing supervision of costs
• Ongoing analysis of total expense ratios, fee accruals and invoicing process
• Investigate operational incidents with relevant delegates to ensure they are satisfactorily resolved and that the incidents are logged on Waystone 's internal risk monitoring application.
• Support the annual and semi-annual audit process for managed funds, including completion of relevant audit reporting on behalf of WMC as required.
• Ensure that operations are conducted in compliance with applicable regulations, including those set forth by the SCA.
• Support the business in identifying, assessing, managing, and measuring operational risks in accordance with the relevant regulatory policies.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures and controls to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, mitigate risks, and ensure smooth fund management processes
• Monitor and enforce compliance with SCA regulations, industry standards, and internal policies related to fund distribution and investment operations.
• Prepare and maintain documentation for audits and regulatory reviews.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to support product launches and distribution strategies.
• Analyse market trends and client feedback to optimise fund offerings.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement best practices to enhance operational efficiency and accuracy.
• Prepare and present operational performance reports and analytics to senior management and stakeholders.
• Utilize data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in operational processes.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of investment operations to identify trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of investment operations professionals, ensuring high performance and adherence to operational standards.
• Provide training and support to team members on operational procedures, compliance requirements, and industry best practices.
• Liaise with internal departments, external fund managers, custodians, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
• Address and resolve client inquiries promptly and professionally.
• Contribute to developing strategic initiatives and operational plans that align with SCA's goals and objectives.
• Participate in strategic projects and provide insights on operational impacts and opportunities.




REQUIREMENTS



To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.






Education:





Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, Risk Management Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree or professional certification.




Experience:


• 4 years experience in financial analysis, fund distribution, fund management, or a related area.
• Sound experience in operational management, workflow optimisation, and process improvement
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and financial software.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and compliance requirements.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment including reporting and providing support to various members of the team.



SCA Qualifications Requirements (CISI)



The qualifications below must be obtained to be approved by the SCA as the Investment Operations Manager. The governing body that oversees the professional qualifications is the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI).





Exams Required for SCA Licence


• UAE Financial Rules and Regulations


• Global Securities Operations





Continuous Professional Development


• Introduction to Securities & Investments (International)
• Risk in Financial Services