Investment Operations Manager

Summary

Job Category:
Financial Operations
Job Title:
Investment Operations Manager
Job Category Definition:
This specialty covers the process of allocating and managing financial resources to enhance the acquisition and investment of unit resources as well as the overall management of income and expenditures. Functions include: treasury management, investments, cash flow analysis, banking, debt service, capital budgeting and general financial management.
Job Title Definition:
The Investment Operations Manager is responsible for handling fund administration for both endowed and non-endowed assets including, working with the University’s investment advisors, ensuring compliance with trust, state laws and Internal Revenue Service regulations in the management of the University’s investment program(s); assists in the analysis of a variety of treasury activities including internal investment activity, external investments, banking relationships, cash management, and external relations; assists in the development of funding and investment strategies for University and unit assets. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
 

Levels

Level 1  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ACFN9201 J Non-Exempt

Level 1 positions typically demonstrate baseline planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills along with baseline knowledge of routine work applications, employment regulations, policies, and procedures necessary to perform assigned managerial/supervisory tasks; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate achievement of desired results and review completed work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions; ensure employees practice respect for the opinions of others and an awareness of the value of diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness in the workplace; utilize a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation; practice positive approaches to problem solving for basic issues; evaluate recommended changes/improvements to quality improvement processes, procedures, policies, and plans; supervise assigned staff and coordinate routine activities to ensure successful completion of tasks.

Typical Education & Experience

4+ years related experience

Associate’s Degree or higher in Finance or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Complete various documents, prepare for signature, and assist in the dissemination of materials 
  • Review, file, and disseminate the inflow of investment valuations, quarterly reports, tax information, and other communications from investment managers and investment vehicles 
  • Analyze investment market values and reconcile to the custodian bank and external analytical systems 
  • Prepare capital calls and distributions, investment management fees, and other transactions 
  • Complete purchase orders, procurement materials, and other documents 
  • Complete assigned tasks to support procedures and processes within Office of Investment Management relating to both public and private investments
  • Prepare and review data to be supplied to other team members used in the creation of internal and external reports 
  • Capture investment management fees for each investment and create analytic reports based on asset class groupings

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 2 

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ACFN9202 K Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills along with intermediate knowledge of employment regulations, policies, and procedures necessary to perform assigned managerial/supervisory tasks; define work objectives, plans, priorities and deadlines and delegate routine tasks appropriately; review completed work of others to verify technical soundness and adherence to deadlines; coach, mentor, and motivate staff in a fair and consistent manner to achieve goals; coach employees on practices that promote the value of diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness in the workplace; demonstrate intermediate ability to communicate using more complex terms relevant to specific discipline; develop creative recommendations for solving problems that are varied and somewhat difficult in nature but with limited scope; identify and implement changes/improvements to quality improvement processes, procedures, policies, and plans; supervise staff and coordinate activities to ensure successful completion of tasks.

Typical Education & Experience

2+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Finance or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Generate reports related to performance returns and other characteristics of the portfolio from analytical systems
  • Develop and apply knowledge of investment performance calculations and reporting  
  • Collect data and maintain complex calculations to track and provide analysis on performance-based investment fees
  • Interact with other groups to process spending and gifts in the form of the monthly buy in process and other transactions
  • Update, review, and manage the Peer Benchmark database; prepare and analyze the Peer Benchmark data and report
  • Assist other operations team members with survey responses, financial statement preparation, and ad hoc data requests
  • Prepare, review, and/or aggregate subsidiary reporting
  • Collaborate in forecasting projected office budget
  • Coordinate the legal contracting process for private investments and manage external relationships with data analytics vendors 
  • Assist the senior management team with higher level committee communication; manage meeting and information delivery

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3 

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ACFN9203 L Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning and development of goals for accomplishing difficult unit assignments; demonstrate awareness of emerging trends, and changes in employment regulations, policies and procedures to proactively address issues; review completed work of others for conformity to policy, and effectiveness of approach; delegate more advanced tasks to others; facilitate optimal group dynamics and evaluate employee performance on difficult work assignments and recommend appropriate developmental opportunities; develop and implement practices that promote a culture of diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness and that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse groups of employees; use diplomacy and advanced communication skills in unstructured settings; modify, adapt, or refine guidelines, if necessary, to resolve issues or problems; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have an impact on unit operations.

Typical Education & Experience

4+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher in Finance or related discipline; MBA or similar Master's Degree preferred

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Review and coordinate work of and interaction with various outside service providers such as consultants, custodians, and other outsourced service providers
  • Maintain, and coordinate reports, procedures and processes within Office of Investment Management relating to both public and private investments
  • Manage communication with internal and external auditors, Controller’s office and the Development office, for all matters relating to Endowment management, and investment portfolios
  • Supervise staff/consultant for the purpose of investment administration and operations
  • Update, review and manage the Peer Benchmark database; prepare and analyze the Peer Benchmark data and report
  • Prepare, review and oversee Penn State Research Foundation reports

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4 

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ACFN9204 M Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced skills in budget management, business development, communications, and leadership and execution of objectives critical to unit's success; provide detailed plans for changes to specific policies and procedures that may result from trends and changes in overall direction of functional and/or organizational responsibilities; monitor completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness in meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements; evaluate and enhance practices that promote a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness throughout the University; demonstrate diplomacy in persuading and influencing a variety of people to achieve results; resolve complex, controversial or unprecedented issues and problems, and demonstrate sound judgment by considering values, risks, impact and implications of actions throughout organization; set clear expectations and hold management team accountable for effectively coaching, mentoring and motivating their respective staffs; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have an impact on University operations.

Typical Education & Experience

6+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher in Finance or related discipline; MBA or similar Master's Degree preferred

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Assist in providing analyses for senior management, University investment advisor, and Board of Trustees review
  • Assist in implementing strategies for long-range financial stability and improved efficiencies within University units
  • Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff; supervise and coordinate activities of consultant/staff in sourcing, due diligence, monitoring and reporting
  • Manage all aspects of back office operations for investment portfolios, for both endowed and non-endowed funds, to include overview of custody, accounting, reporting, transaction processing, data management, cash flow reporting, performance reporting; analyze endowment management issues; assist with operational due diligence and new investment account set up
  • Manage on-going relationships with various service providers including custodians, consultants etc.
  • Oversee and coordinate on-going information exchange and communication with Controller’s Office and Office of Financial Reporting
  • Oversee procedures, processes and reports relating to documenting the investment process
  • Serve as point person/liaison with auditors; responsible for providing data and answering questions relating to investments
  • Oversee collection, maintenance and management of data within the Peer Benchmark database; responsible for ensuring accuracy of information; oversee reporting to senior management
  • Prepare Penn State Research Foundation’s treasurer’s report and coordinate financial statements for Board of Directors

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5 

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
ACFN9205 N Exempt

Level 5 positions typically demonstrate awareness of broad issues and management trends and evaluate the impact of policy and procedure changes and adjust accordingly; apply management principles to ensure optimal performance throughout organization; ensure appropriate skills are developed and maintained at all levels of responsibility and realign staff responsibilities to meet desired changes in organization and/or University mission; develop plans, practices and efforts to ensure optimal support or diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness throughout the University; demonstrate high level of diplomacy in persuading and influencing a wide variety of people at various levels and locations to achieve results; develop and implement solutions to highly complex and often controversial problems that may have University-wide impact and establish new precedents for solving problems; develop and articulate broad goals and objectives for unit with multi-functions or University-wide impact; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have a strategic impact on University operations.

Typical Education & Experience

10+ year related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher in Finance or related discipline; MBA or similar Master's Degree preferred

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Review reports and provide concise analyses for senior management, University investment advisor, and Board of Trustees review, interacting directly with senior management
  • Develop, recommend, and assist in implementing strategies for long-range financial stability and improved efficiencies within University units
  • Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff; supervise coordinate activities of consultant/staff in sourcing, due diligence, monitoring and reporting
  • Manage all aspects of back office operations for investment portfolios, for both endowed and non-endowed funds, to include overview of custody, accounting, reporting, transaction processing, data management, cash flow reporting, performance reporting; analyze endowment management issues; assist with operational due diligence and new investment account set up
  • Manage on-going relationships with various service providers including custodians, consultants etc.
  • Oversee and coordinate on-going information exchange and communication with Controller’s Office and Office of Financial Reporting
  • Oversee procedures, processes and reports relating to documenting the investment process
  • Serve as point person/liaison with auditors; responsible for providing data and answering questions relating to investments
  • Oversee collection, maintenance and management of data within the Peer Benchmark database; responsible for ensuring accuracy of information; oversee reporting to senior management
  • Prepare Penn State Research Foundation’s treasurer’s report and coordinate financial statements for Board of Directors

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.