Associate - Settlements

at  Close Brothers Group

In this existing role, the incoming Settlements Associate will play a key role in assisting the Settlements Manager on all day-to-day settlement processes, ensuring that all settlement back-office functions are processed in a timely and accurate manner.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience and knowledge of Settlements, understanding of the Fund, International and UK Market.
• Track record of maintaining high performance standards; clear focus and commitment to driving great customer outcomes, profitability, and shareholder value.
• Working knowledge of the regulatory frameworks and requirements that apply to the business, including the CASS rules when managing client’s money or assets.
• Ability to focus and commit to delivering against deadlines.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to multitask and deal with multiple issues via different forums.
• Effective and proficient communication and written skills.
• Ability to prioritise, be responsive, deal with ambiguity, and respond to changing environments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To produce regular management information.
• To maintain an up-to-date awareness of relevant settlement environmental changes, inclusive of their direct or indirect impact on infrastructure and the different business divisions of Winterflood.
• To ensure complete and accurate internal reporting of Client Money and Asset Requirements
• To respond to audit requests, as directed.
• To ensure complete and accurate counterparty setup.
• To maintain Client and our own SSIs.
• To ensure trades are matched (where possible) and settled in a timely manner.
• To ensure client requirements are processed in respect of commission and trade confirmations.
• To ensure all Buy-Backs and manual trades are processed correctly, making sure PnL is posed correct and that withdrawals, registrations, disclosure forms are all completed accurately and lodged with the registrar.
• To ensure all reconciliations are completed and align to SPARK.
• To ensure non-electronic settlement is managed carefully and accurately.
• To ensure FTT is accurately processed.
• To monitor and manage the realignment of stock.
• To monitor and manage any potential Buy-Ins.
• To ensure all Settlement Agent Invoices are reconciled and to complete and retain any required sign-off authorisation.
• To maintain the Settlements Confluence page, to ensure documentation is up-to-date.
• To ensure that any failing trades are pursued, with accurate notes maintain within SPARK.
• To ensure that any certificates are correctly recorded, stored, and periodically reconciled.
• To suggest changes that would make settlement more efficient.
• Build and maintain a strong culture of compliance, risk management, integrity, client focus and other such Winterflood or Close Brothers values.
• Help drive an efficient settlement team to ensure that Operations Team can service their internal and external clients accurately, enhancing the reputation of the Team throughout the industry.
• To ensure timely placement of all client fund orders with the relevant Fund Manager/TA’s as per the guidelines set out in the procedure.
• Manage custody positions to achieve timely settlement where possible.
• Process all Contract Notes for Fund Trades on the date of receipt.
• Assist the Client Service team in answering any client queries to ensure that we respond to the client on the same day.
• Ensure all asset and cash breaks assigned to the team are investigated and resolved in a timely manner.
• Prioritise and know which markets/risk to deal with in defining workload.
• Assist in the collation of all daily, weekly, and monthly MI, KPI’s and KRI’s within Operations, ensuring production is timely and accurate.
• Assist Settlement Manager with any required documents in preparation for Client meetings.
• Assist in the continuous development of both systems and process, liaising with internal and external counterparts where necessary.