Associate Director, Fiduciary & Fund Service (Saudi National)

Associate Director, Fiduciary & Fund Service (Saudi National)

Join our esteemed team as an Associate Director within the Fiduciary & Fund Service division, where you will play a pivotal role in driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance for our Saudi National operations. This dynamic position demands a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of fund accounting, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure seamless delivery of high-value fund services.

In this leadership role, you will be responsible for shaping the future of our fund services by aligning with the Group’s strategic vision, identifying growth opportunities, and fostering innovation. Your expertise will be instrumental in refining processes, enhancing operational efficiency, and maintaining compliance with the highest industry standards. This is an opportunity to lead with impact, driving both business success and operational resilience.

Key Responsibilities

**Strategic Leadership & Business Growth:**

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Group’s strategic objectives and business model, aligning your initiatives to drive sustainable growth and innovation.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including management and cross-functional teams, to identify and execute high-potential business opportunities.
• Leverage your expertise in fund services to proactively manage key risks, ensuring operational integrity and regulatory adherence.

**Fund Accounting & Operational Excellence:**

• Lead with authority in fund accounting, ensuring precision in daily Net Asset Value (NAV) calculations and transfer agency transactions.
• Oversee the seamless onboarding of new fund service clients, coordinating with internal teams, sales, and product divisions to finalize agreements and ensure compliance with Payment Plans (PPM), Fund Administration Service Agreements (FASA), and Service Level Memorandums (SLM).
• Manage the onboarding process in SeCCure and Multifonds via the Global Business Services (GBS) MY hub, ensuring timely communication with Data Management and GBS MY teams regarding new fund onboarding and instrument additions.

**Process Ownership & Compliance:**

• Take full accountability for the Fund Services NAV process, ensuring accurate and timely reporting to GBS IN and GBS MY, while liaising with compliance teams to monitor adherence to regulatory guidelines.
• Facilitate the processing of client payments with strict adherence to Group payment policies, ensuring no breaches occur.
• Act as the primary point of contact for client queries, responding to all communications within the same day and maintaining high standards of client service.
• Conduct daily reconciliations for fund accounting and holdings, investigating discrepancies and implementing corrective actions to resolve outstanding issues.
• Collaborate with auditors and GBS MY to ensure the timely completion of client financial statements, upholding transparency and accuracy in all reporting.

**People & Talent Development:**

• Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within your team, setting clear expectations and promoting collaboration with risk and control partners.
• Champion accountability and fairness, ensuring that all actions align with the organization’s values and operational standards.
• Lead weekly hub meetings to align teams, address challenges, and drive collective success.

**Risk Management & Governance:**

• Drive process improvements by reducing manual workarounds and focusing on automation to enhance efficiency and reduce operational risks.
• Conduct thorough reviews of existing processes, identifying best practices to implement across the Group and ensuring no audit failures occur.
• Ensure all audit findings are addressed promptly, implementing corrective actions to mitigate risks and prevent recurrence.
• Develop robust contingency plans to handle system breakdowns, infrastructure failures, unexpected volume spikes, attrition, or service provider unavailability, ensuring business continuity.
• Monitor operational procedures to address key gaps that could lead to operational losses, maintaining a risk-free environment.
• Review and update DOI/Checklists quarterly, ensuring they remain relevant and aligned with evolving regulatory requirements.
• Ensure full compliance with Fund Services regulations at all times, upholding the highest standards of governance.

**Skills & Experience Requirements:**

• Proven expertise in fund accounting and a deep understanding of the investment management industry.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• A strong ability to apply technical expertise and leverage technology to drive operational efficiency.
• Analytical acumen to identify trends, resolve complex issues, and deliver actionable insights.
• A commitment to delivering results that exceed customer expectations, ensuring satisfaction and loyalty.

**Qualifications:**

• A degree in Finance or Business Administration is required.
• Certification in CME1 (Certified Mutual Fund Examiner) and CME4 is mandatory.
• 1-2 years of experience in investment administration and accounting.
• 2 years of experience in custody services, demonstrating a strong foundation in asset management and regulatory compliance.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of our fund services division while fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and compliance. If you are a results-driven professional with a passion for financial services and operational leadership, we invite you to be part of our journey.