Operational Due Diligence Lead

The Associate on the Operational Due Diligence team owns significant components of UTIMCO's ODD program and serves as a content resource for external investment manager, and direct investment, operational reviews. This role is expected to lead assigned ODD workstreams, evaluate complex manager/direct investment risk areas, coach others, coordinate with investment teams, and prepare high-quality reports and recommendations that support manager/direct investment selection, monitoring, and risk mitigation.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Own assigned ODD review processes for new and existing external investment partners across multiple asset classes and industries
• Perform advanced review of manager/direct investment documentation, fund terms, regulatory filings, audit reports, compliance materials, service provider relationships, technology controls, and operating infrastructure
• Participate in and help lead manager/direct investment onsite reviews with senior management and investment support functions
• Prepare, review, and refine written ODD reports that clearly describe operational frameworks, risk issues, proposed solutions, and best-practice recommendations
• Provide candid feedback to investment teams and external managers/direct investments, where appropriate, on deficiencies and potential remediation steps
• Maintain and improve ODD policies, procedures, templates, process documentation, and technology-enabled workflow practices
• Coach analysts and senior analysts on documentation review, issue identification, report writing, and workflow discipline
• Lead scheduled projects and special reporting requests, including process enhancements and program development efforts
• Use ODD functional knowledge to help colleagues solve problems, improve review quality, and complete work accurately
• Encourage cross-team work and involve others in developing practical solutions for manager/direct investment risk issues

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Five or more years of relevant experience in operational due diligence, investment operations, audit, compliance, risk management, asset management, investment consulting, or related fields
• Experience conducting operational due diligence on direct investments in individual companies
• Demonstrated ability to own review processes, assess operational risk, document conclusions, and communicate practical recommendations
• Thorough working knowledge of external manager operations, fund documentation, service provider oversight, audit reports, compliance materials, technology controls, and operational risk concepts
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel and ODD workflow tools, data sources, and document repositories
• Ability to use approved Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled tools responsibly to improve document review, questionnaire analysis, research, report drafting, issue tracking, and process documentation, with appropriate validation and oversight
• Elevated attention to detail and commitment to accurate, complete, and well-supported analysis
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including ability to communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders
• Constructive, can-do attitude and commitment to acting in the best interests of the organization
• Collegial team player who is intellectually curious and acts with unquestioned honesty, integrity, and transparency
• Availability to travel domestically and internationally as needed for onsite reviews, manager/direct investment meetings, conferences, or other ODD program needs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading investment manager/direct investment reviews, onsite diligence, operational risk assessments, audit work, compliance reviews, or investment operations projects
• CFA, MBA, CAIA, CPA, FRM, or related credential

Note: This role requires in-office 4 days a week: Monday through Thursday.

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As part of UTIMCO’s Code of Ethics and personal trading compliance requirements, employees are subject to restrictions and reporting obligations related to personal securities trading activities, including activities conducted through household or dependent accounts. Please refer to UTIMCO’s Code of Ethics for additional information regarding these requirements. If you or someone in your household engages in extensive personal trading, please raise the issue with Human Resources for further discussion.