Product Support Manager

We have an excellent opportunity available at Mediolanum to join our team as a Product Support Manager.

Product Support acts as a key Middle Office Team in the control of Mediolanum internal and delegated Investment Portfolios (IBOR) on the Mediolanum Investment Management Platform (Fusion).

The team are responsible for IBOR validation, controlling the integration of external transaction data and Instrument static data maintenance. The Team works closely with Mediolanum’s Service Providers as well as multiple Teams within Mediolanum, with particular focus on supporting our Investment Department.

The primary purpose is to control static & historic data, new security setup across all asset classes, the handling and processing of various corporate actions and resolve various reconciliation breaks that impact the management of the portfolios. The work is varied, and no two days are the same as the role consists of different BAU tasks as well as project work and various testing functions. Extended knowledge and experience of the markets and different securities, including OTC’s, ETD’s and Complex Bonds will provide an opportunity to become an SME for this role. The role requires a strong understanding of Derivatives, from security setup and trade booking to reconciliation. The candidate must be flexible and able to work to tight deadlines but maintain the very highest standards of the organisation.

Duties and responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following:

• The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a team of three analysts and will be expected to lead from the front, assist in the BAU process and integrate team members into the wider remit of Operations. They will be responsible for the ongoing assessment and development of the team members, including the monthly 30/30 process and end of year performance reviews.
• The successful candidate will have responsibility for a wide range of product setup that will aid with trade support and straight through processing as well as playing a role in project delivery team that will drive change through the department and the company.
• Responsible for all BAU Product Support functions for portfolios investing in a wide range of exchange traded and OTC assets as well as direct liaison with 3rd parties like Custodians and Administrators in the resolution of BAU issues.
• Responsible for completing all break adjustments that impact the portfolios and providing detailed feedback on their resolution.
• Responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the securities dbase in Fusion and the process of defining instruments, markets, currencies, tax tables and other associated functions that have a direct impact for the Investment team and the Fusion platform.
• Responsible for OTC event monitoring, processing and verification including booking of swap resets and close-outs are in line.
• Responsible for the setting up of new funds, portfolios, delegates and the maintenance and addition of the portfolio structure.
• Ongoing review of procedures and processes– identifying areas for improvements and implementing changes where necessary in relation to industry standards, commercial viability and ensuring they are fit for purpose.

Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to effectively and extensively interact with all levels within the company (from entry level trainees through to senior managers).
• Ability to work in a deadline driven environment.
• Quick Learner and Assertive individual who can act follow instructions and act independently when appropriate.
• Organised individual who can self-manage multiple priorities, routine work and urgent issues as they arise. The ideal candidate is focused on resolving issues quickly.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Extreme attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Risk and control awareness and experience of taking responsibility both locally and regionally.
• Self-starter (i.e. after initial managerial direction, candidate is able to develop their own workflow and manage resources accordingly).
• Proven process re-engineering skills.
• Be highly collaborative and team-oriented.
• Effective analytical ability.
• Excellent verbal, written and numeric skills.

Qualifications and Experience:

• The candidate will have at least 6 years of relevant experience as well as experience in leading and managing a team.
• Extensive front to back understanding of Fund / Asset Management processes.
• Strong knowledge of and experience dealing with the following asset types- Funds (ETF’s, External and FoF), Equities, Deposits, Bonds, FX, Credit, Swaps, Exchange Traded Derivatives & OTC’s.
• Good understanding of Fund Accounting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of all relevant industry regulations.
• Awareness of industry standards, initiatives and core IT systems.
• Some experience of defining IT business requirements, reviewing solution proposals and User Acceptance Testing test plans.
• Experience of fund launch, closure and merger processes.
• Experience in reporting and presenting to management.
• Working knowledge of the following systems would be a distinct advantage, Bloomberg, SWIFT, MarkIt MTM & DS Match, OMGEO, FusionInvest, and Intellimatch.
• Appropriate 3rd Level Qualification.