Multi Asset Front Office Business Analyst / Project Manager / Aladdin

The Role

• Partner closely with the Multi Asset Investment business, including investment, risk and product teams.
• Establish a deep knowledge of how Multi Asset use the Aladdin platform and other technology.
• Understand investment business requirements and propose solution options that allow the investment desk to extract the greatest value from Aladdin.
• Work in partnership with Technology teams to define and deliver functionality outside Aladdin where specific requirements / services levels cannot be met by Aladdin
• Participate in project initiatives ensuring that changes to the Investment platform and associated business processes are carefully understood and implemented.
• Drive scalability and efficiency improvements, reducing cost and complexity in the operating model
• Focus on data quality – ensure processes are aligned to maintain appropriate standard
• Reduce operational risk by leveraging usage of Aladdin platform

Overview of role

• Provide assistance to the Multi Asset teams operating on the investment platform, with primary focus on Aladdin. This involves establishing a deep knowledge of Aladdin functionality used by Multi Asset and working closely with Global Technology, Operations and BRS to provide comprehensive solutions.
• Define operating requirements for BAU, new products, instruments,
• Connect Multi Asset with the operational functions to deliver platform requirements across Operations, Technology and other teams.
• Support resolution of any relevant operational issues with other process owners (both 'upstream' and 'downstream') as they arise
• Manage the escalation of support issues with BRS and internal teams.
• Oversee and report performance against agreed service levels.
• Provide input into strategic platform enhancements and target operating model definition.
• Challenge thinking and innovate – identify potential efficiency gains deriving from process re–engineering/process automation & org structure/best use of resources
• Promote consistency and reduce complexity across mandates and processes with a view to streamlining and reducing exceptions
• Work in partnership with Technology Teams and Multi Asset business teams on the development of any in–house built technology/decommissioning of legacy systems
• Maximise the benefits available in Aladdin and clearly communicate enhancements/roadmap development items where there are gaps in Aladdin capabilities which are being fulfilled through user defined tools and operational processes.

Experience and Skills

• Experience working in an asset manager or similar organisation, with experience working directly with Multi Asset Investment teams (i.e. Fund Managers, Implementation Teams, Risk and Compliance teams).
• Strong understanding of Investment Workflows (Portfolio Construction and modelling , Target Management, Order Management and Execution).
• Appreciation of Portfolio Compliance and Risk functions and processes.
• Understanding of Investment Performance and attribution.
• Experience of BlackRock Aladdin platform or similar.
• Experience working with external vendors / third party suppliers also beneficial.

• Confidence to engage in discussions with colleagues across the investment, operations, change and technology functions. It is important to be able to challenge and direct discussions as part of this.
• Strong understanding of business processes, technology and data management as part of the investment lifecycle.
• Problem solving ability within a complex environment.
• Ability to define and document business requirements to a high standard. Experience with the appropriate methods and tools (i.e., BPML/UML hosting workshops, process flows, Visio).
• Ability to negotiate pragmatic solutions that meet conflicting business requirements.
• Good technical knowledge and ability to translate between IT and the business.
• Awareness of full project life cycle including defining user requirements, defining test scenarios and user acceptance testing.
• Strong inter–personal and organisational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to operate under pressure and deliver to demanding deadlines.