Senior Analyst, Operational Due Diligence

at  University Pension Plan

ABOUT UPP

UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 40,000 members across four universities and fourteen sector organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities.
Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect. We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve and grow with a clear shared vision and values of integrity, inclusivity, ingenuity, and impact.
Our culture is intentionally welcoming and purposefully rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (EDIR). We believe diverse teams, perspectives, and lived experiences contribute to better decisions and a better workplace.
As a long-term investor, we recognize that environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors support risk management and value creation. As stated in our Responsible Investing Policy, we are committed to incorporating ESG considerations into our investment management activities and we collaborate with other industry participants in the promotion of a sustainable economy and society.
Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization, and each other.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• 2+ years of relevant work experience performing due diligence or internal controls reviews within the finance industry
• An understanding of the due diligence review processes for newly proposed funds and ongoing fund reviews
• Knowledgeable in the processes of some of the following areas - fund operations, fund administration, prime brokerage, audit, legal compliance, technology, and information security
• Knowledgeable in a range of financial instruments and alternative investment strategies such as hedge funds, private equity and credit, real estate, and infrastructure, as well as more traditional equity and fixed income strategies
• An undergraduate or advanced degree in business, finance, accounting, economics or a related field
• Candidates with CPA, CFA, CAIA designations not required, but preferred

THE ROLE

This an excellent opportunity to join a highly motivated team, responsible for assessing the operational capabilities and infrastructure of UPP’s investment partners.
Reporting to the Manager, Operational Due Diligence, the Senior Analyst, Operational Due Diligence will work closely with both Public and Private Markets Investment teams, Responsible Investing (RI), Compliance and other business partners to perform initial and on-going non-investment operational risk assessments of external managers. The Senior Analyst will contribute to the team by participating in operational due diligence reviews, preparing assessments for review by the Manager ODD, and sharing findings and recommendations with internal stakeholders.
This dynamic role will provide opportunities to engage with senior leaders on operational risk and controls discussions, investment strategies, compliance program, quality of personnel and provide exposure and insight into a variety of asset classes, fund strategies and operating models. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a team of high performing professionals and make an impact!
The role is based in downtown Toronto with Work-From-Home flexibility. UPP currently requires 2 days in the office.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze key offering documents, DDQs, audited financial information and investment manager policies and identify areas for further investigation and discussion with the fund manager.
• Schedule ongoing operational due diligence (ODD) review meetings of existing fund managers including hedge, public market and private fund managers.
• Engage with fund managers on ODD related topics. Prepare detailed agenda topics and discussion points for operational due diligence meetings with fund managers.
• Attend operational due diligence review meetings and contribute with operational questions. Document meetings in a clear and concise manner.
• Engage with operational due diligence consultants for new investment reviews and analyze manager assessment reports provided by them to form an operational risk rating opinion
• Identify and assess observed deficiencies / areas of concern, as a result of discussions with the fund manager and document as part of the risk rating report.
• Detail appropriate recommendations for the fund manager as part of risk rating report, to be approved by the Manager, ODD, and present to internal teams and executive leaders.
• Stay current on industry standards and help to facilitate knowledge transfer within the ODD group and the organization.
• Conduct research through ongoing media monitoring on fund managers, assessing potential reputational and investment risk to UPP.
• Establish and maintain effective and collegial working relationships with internal stakeholders and external fund managers.
• Be willing and able to undertake travel, for onsite ODD visits subject to current COVID-restrictions.