Trading & Portfolio Implementation Associate

Sunflower Bank NA•Irvine, CA

5h•$78,000 - $113,000•Onsite

About The Position

Sunflower Bank, N.A./First Foundation Advisors is looking for an energetic, highly motivated individual to fill the position of a full-time Trading & Portfolio Implementation Associate at our Irvine, CA location. The Trading & Portfolio Implementation Associate will be part of a team that serves as the hub of construction, optimization, and trading of FFA global portfolios. They will collaborate with client-facing teams to manage, monitor, and create better solutions for implementation and execute those solutions. They will gain proficiency across a broad range of investment mandates and asset classes, overseeing portfolio-level activities including trading. Functions may include portfolio construction, restrictions management, monitoring asset exposures, trading and allocations, managing client-specific requests, and tax management. The Associate will initiate trades/rebalances and monitor the portfolios on an ongoing basis. This role is a crossover between trading and implementation; functions include day-to-day system maintenance workflows, reporting, trading, modeling, and settlement of fixed income, equity, and mutual funds trades, as well as trade reconciliation and post-execution allocation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business, Finance, Accounting, or Economics
Minimum of 2 to 3 years of related experience required
Experience in trading/securities preferred
Experience with Python/AI workflow automation or demonstrated aptitude and eagerness to learn.
Experience with Advent/Orion products preferred
Advanced proficiency with Excel & PowerPoint. VBA and/or financial modeling skills are a plus.
Understanding of systems, software, and information/data infrastructure
Highly organized and able to adapt to change
The ability to prioritize, multitask, and work effectively with a team in a deadline-driven environment
An ability to think holistically, understand end-to-end processes, and reconsider the status quo. A proactive and inquisitive approach toward new challenges and problem-solving
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with all levels of personnel
Must be bondable.

Nice To Haves

Experience in trading/securities preferred
Experience with Python/AI workflow automation or demonstrated aptitude and eagerness to learn.
Experience with Advent/Orion products preferred
VBA and/or financial modeling skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Employee is responsible for adherence to all compliance programs and the completion of all required and assigned training by established due dates
Understands and complies with the requirements of all laws and regulations applicable to the position
Execution of equity, mutual funds, and fixed-income trades as needed/directed by senior traders
Implementation of portfolio allocations in accordance with FFA’s investment philosophy, process, and tactical portfolio positioning via systematic processes and protocol
Invest new accounts per investment parameters and risk profiles
Manage and organize the trading inbox – alerting the team of priority items and filing completed items
Trading wrap program accounts - organize blocks and enter orders for portfolio positioning. Complete analysis and resolution of special account trading situations
Participate in regularly scheduled account review with client-facing teams to stay current on the investment process, positioning, trades, and alignment of portfolio construction to FFA-approved models and asset allocations.
Implement investment decisions and facilitate the investment process through model management, risk/dispersion reporting, and trade proposals for model adherence.
Learn and leverage new tools in the order management system, working with programmers to advocate for necessary development and acting as a liaison to end-users.
Model Global trades for multiple strategies, including calculation of shares/weights, following the necessary steps for account exclusions due to cash, trade size, and restrictions, and support for allocations.
Aid with administrative trading tasks – filing trade errors, maintaining responses from the sales team, and working with new brokers to complete necessary onboarding paperwork.
Running and compiling reports: Master Trade Blotter, Global Trade Reports, TCA Reports, etc.
Reconcile soft dollar commissions from brokers in conjunction with Account Services and Billing
Record and update trading processes for compliance and future reference
Participate and contribute to departmental projects and initiatives
Processing after/pre-market trading procedures - reconciliation across multiple trading platforms, contra-brokers, and custodians, as well as following up on back-office settlement issues
Contribute to general risk management, process improvement, knowledge development, and cross-training efforts
Aid/assist Sr. Traders and perform ad hoc tasks as assigned (i.e., Data analysis or ad hoc reporting)
Run Proprietary Strategy analytics, weekly performance, and quarterly rebalancing.
Compile data and create tear sheets for internally managed funds.
Perform the job in accordance with applicable industry laws and regulations as well as the policies and procedures established by the company.
Responsible for upholding Fair and Responsible Banking practices and Code of Ethics and Conduct guidelines.
Understand and participate in the Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act program.
Perform other duties as assigned.