Private Investment Operations Portfolio Associate, CLOs

Jackson • Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

PPM America, Inc. (PPM) is a US-based institutional asset manager established in Chicago in 1990. PPM is a client-focused investment manager with the experience and resources to provide clients with investment solutions across markets, including fixed income, private equity, and commercial real estate. PPM maintains a nimble, investment-led approach, responsive to opportunities discovered by its teams. The mission is to deliver specific client solutions and service to investors around the world, aiming to meet unique investment objectives. PPM employees are committed to building the community and supporting local nonprofits that strengthen families and increase economic opportunities. The Portfolio Services Department is a dynamic, fast-paced team providing operational support to PPM and fiduciary oversight of client investments and assets. The department supports nearly all asset management activities in the trade lifecycle, including portfolio management, trade execution, and client reporting. Functionally oriented teams include Public & Private Investment Operations, Derivatives Administration, Performance Analytics, Data Management, and Business & Product Reporting. A high level of collaboration and extensive cross-training promotes flexibility, scalability, and professional development across the department. Portfolio Services is centrally positioned to engage with all of PPM’s investment and administrative teams to meet the firm’s strategic objectives. The department's maxim is to be indispensable to clients through timely, complete, and accurate execution of roles and responsibilities.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of CLO indentures, CLO trustee reporting, payment waterfalls, and governing documents.
• Deep understanding of S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch ratings as they relate to CLOs.
• Ability to prioritize and independently manage multiple deadlines and clientele simultaneously.
• Advanced proficiency with the entire Microsoft Office Suite, with an emphasis on Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Advanced proficiency in navigating Moody’s and S&P’s websites.
• Unquestionable professional integrity.
• Keen eye for detail required.
• Strong organizational and communications skills.
• Strong teamwork-based approach to work and collective activities.
• Critical thinking, analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving expertise.
• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Marketing or a related discipline, required.
• 3+ years of practical experience in CLO asset classes and Custodial/Trustee service requirements required.
• Extensive experience with operational processes involved in launching and closing CLO warehouses required.
• Extensive experience in preparing accurate and timely reports, analysis, and presentations for management and clients required.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of WSO systems (Administrator, Reporting, Compliance, Integration Utility tool) preferred.
• Knowledge of S&P Global platforms (Markit Pricing, Notice Manager, ADFlow) preferred.
• Knowledge of BlackRock’s Aladdin tool preferred.
• Proficiency in tools that promote data analysis, task automation, and/or visualization (i.e. Python, Power BI, JIRA, etc.) preferred.
• Experience in syndicated bank loan LSTA trade and settlement documentation, and the Clearpar Platform preferred.
• Additional credentials or progress toward an advanced degree or chartered industry designation (i.e., CFA, CPA, etc.) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages all operational aspects of launching and closing CLO warehouses including funding requests, review of flow of funds reports and related documentation, performing asset transfers, and coordinating closings with the trustee, clients, and other involved parties.
• Analyzes and interprets CLO indentures to validate CLO compliance testing, monitors and reconciles loan characteristics to compliance tests to ensure indenture and regulatory compliance, and produces trustee reports.
• Performs detailed reconciliations of CLO portfolio cash/holdings and CLO asset attributes to CLO trustee.
• Supports various CLO accounting activities including monitoring of expense invoices, calculation of management and trustee fees, and performing detailed analyses of waterfalls and cash flow distributions.
• Prepares client reports.
• Responds to client and investment manager inquiries in a timely, complete, and accurate manner.
• Effectively and efficiently coordinates new project/activity related work.
• Promotes continual process improvement by identifying, recommending, and implementing change and automation.
• Works collaboratively with other Private Investment Operations team members.
• Mentors and cross-trains others on CLO portfolio level reporting and other responsibilities.
• Mentors/oversees junior Portfolio Analyst execution of CLO responsibilities.
• Provides additional operational support where and when needed.
• Participates in and provides cross training with the Public Securities Operations team on an ad-hoc basis.
• Performs other duties and/or projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Volunteer opportunities
• Competitive salary and bonus
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• $2 for $1 matching on 401k contributions, up to a max matching contribution of 12% of your eligible compensation
• Tuition and professional certification reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Adoption assistance
• Holidays and paid time off
• Paid time off to volunteer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level