Senior Operations Analyst

WHO WE ARE

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. is a focused investment management boutique and wealth management firm. Founded in 1983, Westwood is a diversified financial services firm that offers a broad array of investment solutions to institutional investors, private wealth clients and financial intermediaries. The firm specializes in several distinct investment capabilities: U.S. Value Equity, Multi Asset, Energy & Real Assets, Income Alternatives, Tactical Absolute Return and Managed Investment Solutions, and are made available through separate accounts, the Westwood Funds family of mutual funds and other pooled vehicles. Westwood benefits from significant, broad-based employee ownership and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WHG." Based in Dallas, Westwood also maintains offices in Chicago, Houston and San Francisco.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Responsible for a variety of operational tasks, such as reconciliations, client reporting, and the operational maintenance of accounts. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, resourcefulness, and independence are key. Will partner with internal and external clients and service providers to ensure accuracy and quality of data that is produced at all levels.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

• Operational Process Analysis and Implementation

• Discover opportunities to streamline manual processes.

• Analyze current processes and determine whether they are best practice. If not, formulate plan to improve process to better align with best practices.

• Take integral role in analyzing and implementing new processes and the software that may be associated with said processes.

• Requires working closely with various departments (Operations, IT, Portfolio teams, etc.).

• Client Reporting

• Prepare and deliver client reporting.

• Ensure monthly and quarterly deadlines are met.

• Respond to ad-hoc requests in a timely and accurate manner.

• Reconciliation

• Responsible for completing daily, monthly, and quarterly reconciliations, ensuring a high degree of processing accuracy, efficiency and management control is maintained.

• Must be able to meet short deadlines without compromising the quality of the work.

• Must have the ability to reconcile complicated security types across many accounts with varying structures and requirements.

• Assist in the preparation, investigation, and accurate resolution of the organization's book of records.

• Monitor, post, and report cash flows for the various strategies.

• Portfolio Operations

• Be the point-person for the investment teams in relation to the accounts that this person oversees operationally.

• Ensure prompt and effective responses to all incoming inquiries, paying particular attention to internal and external client requests.

• Perform the operational duties for opening and closing accounts and markets (internally and with counterparties).

• Possess a solid understanding of international settlements, FX, corporate actions, and tax (e.g., withholding and reclaims).

• Handle collateral validations and movements with custodians and internal systems.

• Accurately reflect necessary data (subscriptions, redemptions, cash items, etc.) in all systems.

• Maintain a high level of detail and problem-solving skills on a daily basis as independent analysis of discrepancies is required.

• Perform a variety of other portfolio operations duties such as true-ups, posting mutual funds, updating cost basis, etc., as needed.

• Handle corporate action events (with an emphasis on international) for multiple clients, which includes research and conversing with the investment teams to ensure proper action is taken.

• Monitor trades in Bloomberg AIM and release.

• Ensure proper settlement of trades: Research trade failures and proactively solve settlement queries.

• Analyze the cause of settlement issues and make system and process changes to improve.

• Administrative & Data Accountability

• Ensure compliance with departmental processes and procedures

• Understand roll in data governance accountability and strive to provide accurate data

• Must maintain strict adherence to investment industry regulatory policies and procedures and the established process for escalation of issues to management consistent with the internal partners and external customers' needs

• Responsible to ensure a high degree of customer service is provided and all customer inquiries are handled promptly and professionally in an accurate & timely manner

• Data Management

• Review holdings and exceptions for missing prices and resolve any issues

• Review price movements for tolerance exceptions and resolve any issues

• Ensure securities are coded properly and update/resolve any issues

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Minimum Education Required:

• Bachelors Degree, preferably in a related field; 4 years of experience in related field in lieu of degree

Minimum Specific Experience Required:

• 5 + years of experience in investment operations

WHO YOU ARE

• Detail oriented and ability to multi-task

• Ability to get the task completed; perseverance

• Ability to operate effectively in a team environment

• Strength of character; honesty and integrity

• Able to maintain professional demeanor under stress

• Planning and organization skills

• Excellent written and oral communications skills

• Ability to take on and/or lead various projects

• Ability to independently problem solve and trouble shoot issues

• Ability to show team leadership

• Bloomberg experience preferred

WHAT YOU'LL GET

• Competitive Salary, benefits and 401K company match that vests immediately upon participation.

• Parental leave & PTO policy.

• Collaborative, dynamic work environment within a fast-paced, mission-driven company.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This physical demands required to perform the essential duties successfully are consistent with a professional office environment.

TRAVEL

Travel is generally not required.

This job description may be subject to change at any time.

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT

We look forward to receiving your application. A member of our Human Capital team will review your application and qualifications. If interested, you will be contacted for an interview.

Westwood is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic.