Operations Project Manager - Exchange Traded Funds - AVP/Vice President

About BNP Paribas Securities Services

BNP Paribas Securities Services (BP2S) is a multi-asset servicing specialist committed to helping clients achieve their ambitions in terms of investments and cross-border distribution.  In a changing world, BP2S understand the changing market landscape and the intricacies of the securities services industry. Their extensive network of over 90 markets and the rich diversity of their people enable to provide their institutional clients with the connectivity and local knowledge they need to navigate change in a fast-moving world.  As a forward-thinking business, BP2S continuously invest in new technologies, sustainability and innovation.  BP2S covers 35 markets with local expertise, with over 12,000 employees across Europe, UK Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas, with USD 11,825 billion of assets under custody, USD 2,817 billion assets under administration, 96.7 million transactions settled and more than 10,484 funds administered as at 31 December 2019. BP2S in the US provides a range of outsourced-services related to fund administration and middle office functions for Asset Managers and alike.  BP2S has been investing in its ETF Services through people, processes and technology.

Overall description:

The ETF Services Operations role will be a key contributor in creating a best in class service culture and operational excellence for BP2S’s ETF clients in the USA.  This person will help build the foundation of our ETF Services Operations for the years to come and help BP2S establish credibility with the global ETF ecosystem.  This individual will have the opportunity to use their unique skill set to help set up the local USA team and be a contributor to the Global Target Operating Model for ETFs.  A key component of the role will be able to work with IT and Product Development to execute the strategy BP2S has created for the future of ETF Servicing and to bring it to market in an efficient manner.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the effort to operationalize and implement the delivery of ETF services to clients at desired service levels
• Leverage institutional knowledge to design operations platform and strategy.
• Work directly with, and present to, among others, department heads, governance committees, global process owners, and operations committee for fund servicing on operations strategy.
• Provide input for the ETF client on-boarding strategy and process workflow
• Collaborate with the current operations teams to build and test efficient operational processes for ETF team with:
  • Transfer Agency
  • Custody
  • Fund Accountant
  • Authorized Participants
  • ETF Issuer
  • Depository (DTC/NSCC)
• Be a founding member of a team culture of continuous process improvement and innovation for ETFs
• Drives the successful delivery of global and local projects pertaining to ETF Services Operations
• Contribute to a global operating model, perform operations for other locations and be an internal service provider
• Works with peers across the globe and builds strong relationships/networks
• Act, behave appropriately and comply with the general ethical standards of the Group and relevant regulatory authorities, and manage compliance risk. Comply with applicable legal, regulatory, Group's internal compliance norms and procedures as well as Code of Conduct including, especially, Financial Security encompassing International Financial Sanctions and Anti-money Laundering, Fight against Corruption, Know Your Customer, Protection of Client Interests, Market Integrity, Professional Ethics and Respect for colleagues.

• Establish processes for, and independently conduct, regular operational reviews of the business to ensure compliance and integration within BNP Paribas, and maintain good communication across the different components of the BP2S organization
• Contribute to the Permanent Control framework and the BCP of the activity
• Proactively proposes any continuous improvement measures
• Select, modify, and create appropriate productivity monitoring metrics, perform productivity analyses, and reports on productivity on a quarterly basis
• Strong influencing skills to get things done; she/he must have a collaborative approach with the ability to partner with cross-functional business leaders across the global enterprise 
• Strong business acumen with a good understanding of business drivers with the ability to provide support for the executive team

Highly Desired Attributes:

• A collaborator who can help build a team and work in a fast paced environment
• High level understanding of recent changes to the ETF Ecosystem – DTCC Enhancements, Active ETF Products, Fixed Income Negotiated Baskets, Non-US domiciled ETF’s.   
• Proponent of continuous improvement processes with the ability to challenge the status quo; a change agent flexible and comfortable with change
• Ability to take initiative and make decisions under pressure while inspiring team members to improve processes
• An individual who performs well in both team and independent working environments

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• 5-10 + years of Fund Servicing Operations and client-facing experience
• Experience working on changes to the business/ops model in response to regulatory change, industry trends, platform/system enhancements or other fintech initiatives.  Energetic, positive, engaging and highly motivated
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills across borders and cultures
• Ability to inspire and lead by example
• Strong team management and development skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting or related field

BNP Paribas is committed to providing a work environment that fosters diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, age, creed, sex, religion, national origin, disability (physical or mental), marital status, citizenship, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, or any other legally protected status.