Senior Manager, Fund Operations

Thornburg Investment Management•Cuyamungue, NM

About The Position

Thornburg is a privately held global investment firm founded in 1982 that provides fixed-income, equity, and multi-asset investment strategies. The Senior Manager, Fund Operations, oversees the funds’ Transfer Agent and manages the execution and governance of intermediary payment, contracting, and oversight processes supporting distribution and shareholder servicing. The role leads the review, approval, and administration of intermediary and service-provider payments, including 12b-1, shareholder servicing, revenue sharing, and other fee arrangements. The position is a subject matter expert for Fund Operations, supports board and committee reporting, and drives continuous improvement to strengthen operational effectiveness, scalability, and risk management. It leads team members and works across internal departments and external intermediary and service-provider relationships. The role also supports product launches, fund mergers, share-class initiatives, and changes to distribution strategy, and contributes to long-term operational strategy and organizational planning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
10–15+ years of progressive experience in fund operations or intermediary operations.
At least 5 years in managerial or leadership roles.
Demonstrated experience designing and managing intermediary oversight, vendor oversight, and payment management programs.
Demonstrated experience supporting SEC examinations, internal audits, and compliance reviews.
Demonstrated experience evaluating operational risks and implementing control frameworks.
Experience managing significant operational vendor relationships.
Active participation in industry organizations such as ICI, NICSA, DTCC working groups, or similar forums.
Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong analytical ability to ask probing questions, explain complex technical information to non-technical audiences, and deliver concise feedback.
FINRA Series 7, Series 24, and Series 99 licenses.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage intermediary payment administration, contracting, and oversight functions, including coaching, mentorship, and performance management.
Establish team goals, key performance indicators, and service standards; improve processes to enhance efficiency, scalability, controls, and risk mitigation.
Direct review, approval, and administration of intermediary arrangements and distribution-related payments, including 12b-1, shareholder servicing, marketing support, and DCIO servicing.
Oversee intermediary agreement lifecycle management and ensure contractual obligations, fees, and service commitments are accurately reflected in operational processes.
Design, administer, and enhance the intermediary oversight program; assess operational, compliance, and service risks and track remediation.
Collaborate with Sales, Distribution, Legal, Compliance, Finance, Fund Administration, and Operations on intermediary relationships, regulatory requirements, and operational matters.
Develop and maintain procedures, controls, and documentation, and participate in audits, regulatory examinations, and due diligence reviews.
Prepare and present reporting on intermediary payments, contractual arrangements, and oversight activities, including annual board reporting.
Maintain working relationships with intermediary firms, custodians, transfer agents, service providers, distribution partners, and operational contacts at other fund companies.
Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex operational issues; lead resolution of intermediary process or contractual matters.
Evaluate new intermediary arrangements, distribution partnerships, and service models for operational risk and feasibility.
Support product launches, fund mergers, share-class initiatives, and distribution strategy changes.
Drive automation and technology initiatives to improve payment processing, contract management, and oversight capabilities.
Contribute to long-term operational strategy and organizational planning for Fund Operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.