AM Middle Office Derivatives and Public Markets Associate

Here at Standard Life, we guide millions of people through some of life's biggest decisions. We're searching for a Middle Office Derivatives and Public Markets Associate who shares our commitment to putting customers first, aiming high and working together to join the Retirement Solutions and Asset Management function., Middle Office is a key support function for the Retirement Solutions and Asset Management Front Office. It has wide ranging accountability ensuring operational control of investment activities, supporting the Group and Asset Management governance framework, and delivery of investment reporting. The current Derivatives and Public Markets Middle Office team create a multi-asset class Middle Office team. This offers new joiners the chance to learn front to back management of a wider asset set. The role involves coordination of post trade lifecycle management across Standard Life plc entities for derivative and public market fixed income products. Dedicated product support for the various Front Office functions, primarily the ALM (Asset Liability Management) team on trade execution, confirmation and post trade activities. Additionally, supporting the Portfolio Implementation and Manager Oversight teams on a day-to-day basis, providing key operational input and guidance. A key focus of this role will be to ensure accurate and timely derivative data is stored through internal systems, requiring coordination and direction of activities amongst internal functions and key outsourced service providers. In particular, the role will require continued build-out and support in overseeing services provided by BlackRock Solutions via the Aladdin suite of products. This role will develop the individual into an experienced subject matter expert, providing active participation on process improvement and operating model enhancements to achieve industry leading systems and controls across asset and fund classes. In the same SME capacity, participate in functional integration of legacy Standard Life risk carriers across procedures and platforms.,

• Derivatives Oversight - Take ownership of ensuring that derivative operational activities are completed, resolving any outstanding issues end-to-end.
• Derivative Data - Provide SME input into ensuring that derivative trades are correctly captured in internal systems.
• Live Cycle management - Performing middle office control on direct derivative and public market fixed income trading. (confirms, income and resolving trade flow issues)
• Onboarding - Working with our third-party providers to onboard new system capability and set up internal processes to utilise the tools available. Be the subject matter expert in supporting the new instrument onboarding process.
• Risk and Control - Developing processes and procedures to make sure our derivative and public market fixed income operations are functioning within our policy standards.
• Regulatory - Supporting the business in meeting regulatory requirements.
• As key SME, support integration of new business lines emanating from closed book acquisitions, open book, and BPA activity.
  
  Experience of managing Derivative and Fixed income products from a middle office or back-office perspective:
• Understanding of pre trade governance - strategy / investment guidelines / mandates
• Trading activity - execution and trade capture
• Operational activity - trade enrichment / validation, confirms, transaction reporting, settlement, reconciliations
• External services - custodian / clearing broker / trade counterparty interactions
• Knowledge of regulatory considerations e.g. EMIR / TCF / Conduct of Business Rules
• Proven knowledge of the trade lifecycle of derivatives including derivative documentation (ISDA/CSA and central clearing agreements)
• Functional knowledge of end-to-end investment management technology / operating models, and downstream consumers / value chain
• Practical experience with business transformation projects, such as onboarding of investment managers, products (cash and derivatives, fixed income, potentially structured products) or portfolio restructurings
• Proficient use of MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and experience of using the Aladdin platform
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with proven experience investigating breaks, identifying root causes, and improving data accuracy, while maintaining a high level of attention to detail, control awareness, and collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders
• Demonstrable ability to lead and deliver process improvements and operate effectively in complex, high-volume environments, showing initiative and taking ownership to deliver efficient, scalable outcomes
  
  We're Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone's journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we've been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.
Life today is increasingly complicated, uncertain and unpredictable. People move through different careers, face unexpected moments and navigate important choices. We offer our colleagues flexibility, trust and benefits that work for whatever life brings. In return we expect curiosity, connection, accountability and high standards. We make room for what matters - so you can bring your best, every day.