Principal, GSIS Operational Due Diligence

GuideStone•Dallas, TX

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal, GSIS Operational Due Diligence leads and performs the operational due diligence (ODD) program for external investment managers and private investment vehicles used by GuideStone Investment Services (GSIS). As GSIS's internal ODD subject-matter expert, the Principal independently develops, performs, documents, and maintains substantive initial and ongoing reviews of manager governance, operations, control environments, valuation practices, cybersecurity, business continuity, service providers, and operational resiliency. Third-party consultants may supplement the work, but the Principal remains accountable for GSIS's own risk assessments, conclusions, recommendations, monitoring, and escalation. The role works closely with Investments, Legal, Operations, Information Security, enterprise risk functions, consultants, and external managers to support fiduciary oversight and protect client assets. GuideStone describes its culture as valuing excellence, teamwork, humility, integrity, compassion, and stewardship, and its mission as serving faith-based organizations and their staff through investment products and services.

Requirements

At least 12 years of progressive experience in operational due diligence, investment operations, institutional asset management, private markets, operational risk, or a related financial services discipline, including substantial direct experience evaluating external investment managers and private funds.
Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, risk management, or a related field.
Deep knowledge of ODD practices for public market managers, private equity, private credit, hedge funds, real assets, limited partnerships, and other alternative investment structures.
Ability to independently design and execute rigorous ODD reviews, including document analysis, management interviews, process walkthroughs, onsite or virtual diligence, corroboration, risk assessment, report writing, and ongoing monitoring.
Ability to assess manager governance, ownership, staffing, internal controls, operational processes, valuation practices, cash and asset controls, cybersecurity, business continuity, disaster recovery, regulatory matters, and third-party service providers.
Strong understanding of operational risks associated with private investments and outsourced investment management, including the ability to distinguish material issues from matters addressable through monitoring, conditions, or remediation.
Experience developing or enhancing an institutional ODD program, including risk-rating methodologies, review cycles, diligence tools, documentation standards, escalation practices, remediation tracking, and management reporting.
Ability to critically assess third-party consultant work, identify gaps or unsupported conclusions, conduct independent follow-up, and reach well-supported conclusions for GSIS.
Excellent analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment in identifying material concerns, constructively challenging assumptions, and escalating issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of clear and actionable ODD reports, executive summaries, committee materials, and presentations.
Ability to influence and collaborate with investment professionals, senior leadership, Legal, Operations, Technology, risk functions, consultants, and external managers without direct reporting authority.
Strong organizational and project-management skills, including managing concurrent reviews, maintaining complete and auditable records, providing accurate status reporting, and meeting deadlines.
High proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to use workflow, document-management, data, and web-based diligence platforms, including Monday.com.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise independent judgment, and demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
Demonstrated commitment to supporting an organization that serves faith-based organizations and their staff through investment products and services.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree such as an MBA, JD, or MS.
Professional certification such as CFA, CAIA, FRM, CISA, or a similar credential.

Responsibilities

Own and lead GSIS's end-to-end ODD program for external investment managers, including public market managers, private fund managers, limited partnerships, and other alternative investment vehicles.
Independently plan and perform substantive initial and ongoing reviews of governance, ownership, staffing, operations, internal controls, valuation, cash and asset controls, cybersecurity, business continuity, disaster recovery, regulatory history, service providers, and operational resiliency.
Develop GSIS's internal ODD methodology, risk-rating framework, review procedures, diligence questionnaires, interview guides, report templates, documentation standards, and escalation criteria using a risk-based approach.
Conduct direct manager diligence through document reviews, management interviews, process walkthroughs, onsite or virtual reviews, corroboration, and targeted follow-up.
Form and document independent assessments of operational risks and control gaps, and develop recommendations, proposed conditions, monitoring requirements, and escalation materials.
Manage ODD reviews from scoping through completion, including requests, interviews, analysis, report drafting, issue resolution, approvals, and auditable record maintenance.
Maintain the ODD calendar, manager inventory, risk assessments, issue logs, remediation tracking, and status reporting; monitor material changes and events that may warrant enhanced, ad hoc, or accelerated review.
Use third-party ODD consultants selectively, define their scope, critically evaluate their work, perform independent follow-up, and determine GSIS's conclusions and recommendations.
Prepare ODD reports, executive summaries, dashboards, and presentations for investment leadership, committees, clients, and other governance bodies as appropriate.
Serve as GSIS's senior ODD subject-matter resource; identify emerging operational risks, improve tools and technology, benchmark and enhance program practices, and provide guidance and training to colleagues involved in manager oversight.