VP, Direct Lending, Investment Operations

Aquarian•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

About Aquarian Aquarian Holdings ("Aquarian") is a diversified global holding company with a strategic portfolio of insurance and asset management solutions. Aquarian Insurance Holdings acquires and operates insurance companies with a focus on life and annuity underwriting, deploying strategies to grow balance sheet profitability by writing new insurance/reinsurance, improving investment income, and optimizing operations. After launching in 2017, Aquarian finalized its first investment in 2018 in Investors Heritage, a regional life insurer domiciled in Kentucky that focuses on pre-need policies. Working closely with management, Aquarian helped the company grow with expanded product offerings and distribution channels, building on its 60-year track record of exceptional client service. Aquarian continued to deepen its expertise and grow its existing offerings in insurance and reinsurance through its acquisitions of Hudson Life and Annuity Company in 2021 and Somerset Re in 2022. Aquarian Investments complements the insurance operations, combining best practices from the world’s leading financial services firms with its own distinct strategy, approach, and organizational culture. Aquarian has continued to expand into alternative assets and private credit through the launches of Aquarian Liquid Credit, Aquarian Strategic Opportunities, Aquarian Private Credit, and Aquarian Real Estate Partners. Aquarian has since grown its business to approximately $25.8 billion in AUM, with 40 investment professionals, multiple funds, and insurance and reinsurance companies, all committed to providing meaningful investment opportunities to millions of people. In November 2025, Aquarian announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement under which an affiliate will acquire Brighthouse Financial in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $4.1 billion. Brighthouse is one of the largest providers of annuities and life insurance in the U.S., with approximately $208 billion of AUM. Following the anticipated close of the transaction in 2026, Brighthouse Financial will operate as a standalone entity within the Aquarian portfolio. Role Summary The Vice President of Direct Lending Operations is responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of operational support for the firm’s direct lending and private credit strategies. This role serves as a critical control and execution point between investment teams, borrowers, lenders, legal counsel, third-party administrators, and internal stakeholders. A core component of this role includes acting as, or overseeing, Administrative Agent functions for bilateral and syndicated loan transactions, ensuring accurate execution of loan documentation, cash flows, compliance, and ongoing borrower and lender servicing. This position is onsite 5 days a week at our New York City office.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
4-6 years of experience in direct lending, investment operations, trade support, or loan agency.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite with a strong emphasis on Excel.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail and accuracy.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
Ability to work collaboratively within a team and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with private loans, structured products, and other fixed income instruments.
Knowledge of loan servicing and settlement combined with experience using dedicated loan systems (e.g., Wall Street Office, ClearPar).
Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and compliance standards in the investment industry.
Knowledge of programming or data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, Python) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end operational support for direct lending transactions, including originations, closings, fundings, amendments, restructurings, and payoffs.
Oversee loan settlement, funding mechanics, interest accruals, principal amortization, fee calculations, and covenant tracking.
Partner closely with investment professionals to structure operationally sound transactions and scalable post-close processes.
Ensure accurate and timely booking of loan activity across portfolio accounting, general ledger, and performance reporting systems.
Act as Administrative Agent (or oversee agented functions) for bilateral and syndicated direct lending transactions.
Coordinate execution of credit agreements, amendments, consents, and waivers with legal counsel, borrowers, and lender groups.
Manage borrower communications related to funding notices, interest and fee notices, borrowing base certificates, and covenant deliverables.
Calculate and distribute interest, principal, fees, and expense allocations to lenders in accordance with governing documents.
Maintain official loan records, registers, and notice dissemination to all lender participants.
Oversee lender onboarding, KYC documentation, and ongoing lender servicing requirements.