Manager, Investment Operations

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

ABOUT UPP

UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 39,000 members across four universities and 12 affiliate organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities.

Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect. We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve and grow with a clear shared vision and values of integrity, inclusivity, ingenuity, and impact.

Our culture is intentionally welcoming and purposefully rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (EDIR). We believe diverse teams, perspectives, and lived experiences contribute to better decisions and a better workplace.

As a long-term investor, we recognize that environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors support risk management and value creation. As stated in our Responsible Investing Policy , we are committed to incorporating ESG considerations into our investment management activities and we collaborate with other industry participants in the promotion of a sustainable economy and society.

Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization, and each other.

The Manager , Investment Operations, is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of investment transactions , investment accounting , and monitoring of the Plan’s portfolio . These responsibilities include, but are not limited to , the timely delivery and monitoring of investment , accurate recording of investment expenses and distributions , review of valuation and prices at the custodians , investment reporting, and reconciling and resolving accounting entri es . The role requires strong experience in private markets with t he incumbent expected to have ongoing interactions with external portfolio managers and various service providers .

UPP has adopted a Hybrid Work Model which allows staff the flexibility to work remotely with the opportunity to work in person at the office 2 days a week. Our office is located in downtown Toronto.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES :

Investment Reporting

• Review detailed reports on private investment portfolios and valuations, demonstrating a deep understanding of private markets dynamics.
• Conduct thorough reviews of month-end review packages of private investments and other accounts, integrating controls into review processes, to ensure accuracy, consistency and compliance with accounting policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with fund administrator and service provider to address any discrepancies promptly.
• Supervise the preparation of weekly and quarterly private outstanding commitments tracking and forecasts.
• Lead the team to utilize technology and systems to design/optimize reports that can be assembled and distributed efficiently.
• Collaborative with Corporate Finance to ensure investment accounting data is successfully reflected on the financial statements and notes.
• Facilitate ad hoc reporting requests from internal stakeholders, senior management, and investment teams
• Interact with various external professionals and service providers including auditors and consultants that require customized investment information.

Investment Operations

• Maintain an ongoing collaborative working relationship with fund administrator and service providers to ensure timely recording of transactions .
• Provide hands-on oversight of daily financial transactions, ensure timely and accurate processing .
• Monitor investment-related activities, such as capital calls, distributions and investment entries .
• Assist in the onboarding and integration of external university pension plans into the UPP investment operations and portfolio structure .
• Assist in the onboarding of new external managers including opening new accounts at the custodian .
• Manage and assist with the deal closing process from an operational perspective to ensure timely and accurate funding for deal close .
• Manage business relations with various internal business partners such as Investment Team, Corporate Finance to ensure collaborative partnership .
• Assist in audits and respond to inquiries from auditors .

Team Management

• Lead a team on private investment operation s, providing guidance, mentorship, and perfo rmance evaluation .
• Allocate responsibilities effectively, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to deadlines .
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and growth-oriented work environment .

Controls

• Recommend operational efficiency improvements where possible .
• Perform appropriate reviews to ensure the data used for reports is accurate .
• Implement controls to ensure data integrity and satisfy audit requirements .
• Ensure all external managers meet their reporting requirements .
• Ensure policy and procedures are adhered to and updated as needed .

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE :

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting , Finance, or related field, complemented by 4-5+ years of experience in investment finance, with a focus on private markets.
• Professional certifications such as CPA or CFA is considered an asset .
• Strong understanding of investment accounting and fund accounting standards and reporting practices .
• Demonstrated leadership experience with leading people either directly or indirectly, with track record of successful coaching .
• Strong computer skills including solid grasp of MS Office applications and advanced Excel skills .
• Demonstrate ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with service partners (fund administrators, custodians, external managers, and so on)

A T TRIBUTES :

• Resilient, positive leadership style, able to inspire confidence and respect.
• Self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable to changing priorities and new challenges.
• Detail oriented professional with high ethical standards
• Strong commitment to innovation and continuous improvement
• Ability to work independently and collaborate in a team environment.
• Proactive to take a hands-on approach to learn about current processes to automate and formulate recommendations to improve efficiency and shape future state.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills and prioritize to effectively manage tasks to completion within required timeframes.
• Excellent analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.

LIFE AT UPP

Do work that matters . We are duty-bound to serve our members’ interests, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. That’s why we’ve ingrained sustainability in our work from day one—to ensure our members have a resilient future to retire into, both today and for generations to come.

Stronger together . Collaboration is how UPP was born, and it’s how we work with each other and our partners day in, day out. No one at UPP is just a number (even if they are excellent at math) and every win is a shared win.

Grow every day . You’ll have the opportunity to work on unique, once-in-a-career projects that maximize your skill set and probably teach you some new ones—at any stage in your career.

Prioritize wellness . At UPP, wellness takes many forms. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring our people are cared for in the ways that matter to them. Check out some highlights of our inclusive employee-focused benefits program including:

• Work from abroad up to eight weeks/year
• Extended paramedical and mental health service coverage
• Health care and lifestyle spending accounts
• Fertility treatments, paid parental leave, and gender affirmation coverage
• Education Assistance program

UPP enthusiastically welcomes applications from all qualified applicants and especially invites people with lived experience as an Indigenous person, a person with a disability or as a member of another Human Rights Code protected group that faces barriers to employment to apply. Our goal is to create a barrier-free experience for every candidate throughout the recruitment process, so if you require accommodation at any point during the process, please let us know so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. It would be our honor to work with you to adapt our processes to ensure that you can meaningfully participate.