Investment Operations Analyst

Cascade Asset Management Company•Kirkland, WA

63d•$85,000 - $105,000

About The Position

Cascade Asset Management Company (âCascadeâ) is proud to protect and grow capital in service of Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation Trust in support of their mission-related and philanthropic activities. Mr. Gates and the Foundation Trust are committed to creating a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life. Located in the Seattle area, Cascade applies its fundamental, long-horizon investment approach across asset classes and geographies, primarily through direct investing, as well as through a select group of funds and segregated accounts. Cascade offers the unique blend of being part of a team that manages a multi-billion-dollar portfolio while also working with professionals in a culture that values intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and respect. Team Description Investment Operations is a dynamic, energetic, and collaborative group operating as a central hub within the organization. Investment Operations is responsible for timely and accurate processing of all portfolios, securities, and related entity transactions. Specific team functions include cash management, trade confirmation and settlement, portfolio and custody reconciliations, collateral management, corporate actions, and asset transfers, and security master setup and maintenance. Position Description The Investment Operations Analyst is directly responsible for successful execution of day-to-day operations for a global, multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio holding a vast array of asset types including equities, OTC and cleared derivatives, fixed income, private equity and real assets, etc. As a result, the Analyst role provides a unique opportunity for diversified learning and a breadth of experiences.

Requirements

2+ years of financial services or securities experience required, preferably within a middle or back-office investment operations role
Undergraduate degree preferably in finance, accounting, economics or related field; CFA a plus
Basic understanding of fixed income and equity markets, foreign exchange (FX), derivatives, and collateral management
Ability to multitask and balances priorities against ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
Possesses a keen eye for details, superlative accuracy, with a no-tolerance approach for data inaccuracy
Driven by process efficiencies and system improvement; approaches day-to-day operational data optimization with passion
Able to present ideas and plans clearly, using available resources, in order to foster understanding across a multitude of stakeholders at various seniority levels
Applies statistical and graphical techniques to raw data to discover useful information. Clearly drafts documents, reports, and presentation materials
Proficiency in Excel required
Excellent written and verbal communication
Outstanding interpersonal skills with an empathic style, improving partnership and cross-group collaboration skills
Upon hire, you are required to present proof of your eligibility to legally work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Expertise with SQL and VBA strongly preferred
Demonstrated ability to learn new applications/systems quickly with previous Aladdin experience preferred
Demonstrated understanding of the project management lifecycle

Responsibilities

Ensure seamless confirmation and settlement of trade activities with counterparties and custodians, leveraging systems such as Blackrockâs Aladdin, CTM, Acadia, and other industry tools
Validate, confirm, and instruct initial margin and variation margin (IM/VM) margin call activity related to bilateral and cleared over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-traded-derivatives (ETD) positions
Manage Prime Broker activity including validation of risk margin calculations and posting of sufficient collateral
Ensure accuracy of cash and investment positions within the Investment Book of Record (IBOR)
Setup and maintain critical reference data and asset information across all asset classes, including publics, privates, and derivatives
Interface directly with the trading desk, legal, and other internal/external teams to facilitate issue resolution
Complete timely new account and market request activities within internal and external systems
Effectuate changes from corporate or class actions, validating, communicating, and processing updates to systems
Mentor junior staff, facilitating operational excellence and helping foster a culture of continuous learning
Identify and assess risks across the trade lifecycle and escalate accordingly to management
Develop and implement training and educational materials for new hires on core responsibilities; participate in knowledge sharing and learning opportunities
Support the definition, collection, and reporting of operational metrics tied to data quality and operational excellence
Collaborate on critical initiatives, process improvement roadmaps, and innovative ideas to improve service delivery and standards
Provide project support in collaboration with other teams