Principal, Fund Controller
About The Position
Partners Capital is seeking a Principal, Fund Controller to lead a pod within the Fund Finance team. This role involves setting standards for technical quality, process rigor, and professional development. The Fund Controller will maintain senior accountability for core fund finance processes including cash management, liquidity planning, capital activity oversight, and expense management across various fund types (PE, secondaries, VC, hedge funds, registered funds, etc.). The position also requires managing and overseeing third-party fund administrators and custodians, driving service quality, and identifying and mitigating operational risks. Strategic partnership with global client CIOs, fund PMs, and research teams is crucial, ensuring fund finance considerations are integrated into broader strategic decisions. The role involves partnering with senior investment leadership on fund launches, structural changes, and firm-wide strategic initiatives, as well as contributing to operational due diligence.
Requirements
- Degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field with strong academic credentials
- 7+ years’ experience from an alternative investment firm, public accounting firm, and/or fund administrator
- Experience with secondaries, hedge funds, registered funds and private equity accounting and operations
- Knowledge of partnership accounting, private fund structures, fee structures, and investment transactions
- Knowledge of US GAAP and ability to research and apply technical accounting rules
- Deep understanding of fund structures, liquidity mechanics, secondaries transactions, fee models, and multi-asset strategies
- Experience leading and developing teams
- Demonstrated experience leveraging technology to transform finance operations, including hands-on involvement with AI/automation tools and the evaluation and selection of technology vendors
- Strong technical accounting acumen with the ability to translate complexity into actionable business decisions
- Experience partnering with auditors, administrators, banks, and other strategic third parties
- High degree of ownership, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Advanced analytical capability; strong Excel skills required
Nice To Haves
- CPA, CFA, CAIA or equivalent professional qualification is strongly favored
- experience with data visualization tools such as PowerBI preferred
Responsibilities
- Lead a pod within the Fund Finance team, setting standards for technical quality, process rigor, and professional development.
- Maintain senior accountability for central functions that touch all funds (PE, secondaries, VC, hedge funds, registered funds, etc.) and are core inputs to the fund finance process, including cash management, liquidity planning, capital activity oversight, and expense management.
- Manage and oversee third-party fund administrators and custodians, driving service quality and oversight of senior relationships.
- Drive continuous improvement across systems, controls, and processes, identifying and closing operational risk across the function.
- Involvement in new technology initiatives such as system onboarding and automating key processes with AI.
- Lead diligence for new providers, and/or renegotiate existing provider contracts.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to global client CIOs, fund PMs, and research teams, ensuring fund finance considerations are integrated into broader strategic decisions.
- Partner with senior investment leadership on fund launches, structural changes, and firm-wide strategic initiatives.
- Contribute to operational due diligence for new mandates, technology upgrades, and broader business development activity.
Benefits
- professional development and career progression opportunities
- competitive compensation
- exceptional benefits
- flexible “results-focused” working model
- medical, dental, and vision insurance
- short and long-term disability insurance
- life insurance
- flexible spending accounts
- commuter benefits
- paid time off
- 401(k) plan with employer matching
- global philanthropy via a charity program and volunteer day
- wellness and social events
- support the pursuit of professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), etc.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
