Fund Administration Specialist

The EMEA Fund Administration Team provides operational oversight on behalf of the Management Company, acting as a key escalation, coordination, and governance function between internal Designated Persons and third‑party service providers. The team ensures effective oversight of fund administrators, transfer agents, and depositaries by monitoring service delivery, managing incidents, supporting regulatory requirements, and facilitating transparent communication.

This role requires a strong understanding of financial/investment products, regulatory frameworks, and data management. The specialist will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across Investments, Risk, Compliance, and Technology to ensure data integrity and compliance.

Position Responsibilities

The EMEA Fund Administration Specialist supports the EMEA Investment Operations Team based in London. The role provides operational oversight on behalf of the Management Company, acting as a key escalation, coordination, and governance point between internal Designated Persons and third‑party service providers.

The Specialist plays a critical role in strengthening the operational risk management framework by supporting the design and enhancement of controls, improving documentation standards, and contributing to the development of efficient and robust production processes across Investment Operations. The role also participates in ad‑hoc initiatives and projects as assigned.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Support the Fund Administration function within the Investment Operations Team, providing effective oversight of fund administrators, transfer agents, and depositaries across the EMEA region.
• Act as the primary escalation point for NAV, trade, and operational incidents, ensuring issues are documented, remediation plans are monitored, and outcomes are resolved and reported in line with governance requirements.
• Maintain day‑to‑day engagement with key service providers, custodians, and support transfer agency oversight for European‑domiciled funds and share classes.
• Assist in the design, enhancement, and documentation of operational controls to strengthen the Fund Administration and Investment Operations risk management framework.
• Identify process inefficiencies, control gaps, and improvement opportunities, and contribute to the development of more efficient and robust operating and production processes.
• Partner with the Vendor Due Diligence Centre of Excellence by contributing to quarterly scorecards, participating in service remediation discussions, and monitoring agreed actions and control enhancements.
• Support regulatory and governance obligations, including activities related to the Designated Person for Operational Risk and monitoring regulatory change impacting fund administration and service providers.
• Produce operational data, portfolio information, and ad‑hoc reporting, and act as a key communication link between Designated Persons, Investment Operations, and external administrators.
• Participate in ad‑hoc projects and initiatives supporting Investment Operations, fund oversight, and continuous improvement objectives.

Special Projects

Special projects will arise from time to time that will require strong investment and financial knowledge, strong analytical and organizational skills with an innovative mindset. The role will be responsible for handling projects as required by the management pertaining to the introduction of new services, products and processes designed.

Required Qualifications

• University degree in accounting and finance or business
• Relevant professional qualifications such as CISI and CFA are an advantage
• 3–5 years of experience in fund administration, fund oversight, investment operations, or asset management operations
• Working knowledge of NAV calculation processes, trade lifecycle, reconciliations, and operational controls
• Experience working with third‑party service providers (e.g., administrators, transfer agents, depositaries) in an oversight or coordination capacity
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and influencing skills
• Ability to work in ambiguous environment and adapt to change while managing time and workload with aggressive timelines.
• Commitment to achieving high levels of service excellence and ability to work independently or within a team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across cultures. Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in using Bloomberg Terminal / Aladdin
• Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of Excel (i.e. mastery of excel formulas and pivot tables is a must; VBA is a plus). Proficient in MS Office suite including Outlook, Word, Power Point, and Project.
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to identify procedural gaps or improvements and take initiative to correct
• Participates in educational opportunities; reads professional publications; maintains networks and participates in professional organizations to always be up to date on job knowledge.

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].