Investment Operations Specialist

Constanter is one of Europe’s largest independent philanthropic organizations, established to promote respect for human dignity, sustainability and social justice. Founded and fully supported by the Brenninkmeijer family-business owners, it serves as an umbrella organization for the Porticus and Laudes foundations, among others.

The Constanter Investment Office manages the foundation’s endowment, with the goal of supporting philanthropic giving in perpetuity. We invest across public, private and real assets using a Total Portfolio approach that seeks to produce superior risk-adjusted returns. We invest with a long term orientation building on strong partnerships.

We believe that positive returns and sustainability go hand in hand. We look for companies and funds to take their environmental, social and governance responsibilities seriously.  

We are a collaborative and high performing team and offer a place where you can thrive and excel. You will work in a fun and highly dynamic environment, and have the opportunity to collaborate with, and learn from expert colleagues.

We are proud to contribute to the family owners' mission of being a Force for Good, helping to build a world that is just and respects the dignity of every human being. By joining our team you will become part of this remarkable journey.

As an Operations Specialist you will play a critical role in managing and optimizing day-to-day operations across multiple aspects of our business. You will be responsible for enacting operational procedures, implementing efficiency initiatives, and driving improvements in collaboration with various teams and stakeholders.

We are looking for an experienced finance professional who is eager to improve the operations processes, controls and responsibilities to support the Investment Office (IO) in achieving its goals.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Co-create an operations environment that enables the Investment Office to achieve their objectives and beyond.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with our 3rd party service providers and make sure services are delivered as agreed. Conduct regular service reviews and report to internal stakeholders on the quality of services delivered.
• Build and maintain the Constanter IO risk control matrix. Ensure metrics, monitoring activities and vulnerabilities are reported upon and that actions are taken to improve efficiency and reduce risk.
• Help to build out and improve processes to ensure and maintain operational efficiency and control across key focus areas such as trade instruction, liquidity management, and fund NAV validation.
• Monitor, support and partake in the daily activities of the Operations and Technology team. We run the operations business together, and a key aspect of the role is to work within the team.
• Document procedures, controls and operational responsibilities, and inform, train and mentor other staff in the Investment Office about investment operations, its responsibilities, the risks involved and the importance of controls and processes.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices and emerging technologies to drive continuous improvement and innovation within operations.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, external regulations and industry standards, maintaining accurate records and escalating issues where needed.

Work collaboratively with and alongside senior stakeholders, which requires the ability to challenge and probe where needed and the confidence to stand behind the solutions you recommend

What you've done

Recent experience in an operations role in investments, working with a risk control framework. You have performed in an environment with both liquid and illiquid investments and were able to prioritise work under pressure from internal and external stakeholders.

You will have

• Based in The Netherlands with full working rights (Schengen area passport or working permit)
• A master's degree in finance or quantitative studies.
• A strong background and at least 5 years' experience in investment operations, currently working in a similar role in a forward-thinking and fast-paced business.
• Fund NAV reconciliation experience is a plus
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a track record of implementing process improvements and driving operational excellence.
• An understanding of investment strategies, products and asset classes and how these are administered and supported by operations.
• An understanding of Lux/Irish fund structures and their regulatory framework and obligations.
• A thorough understanding of (fund) accounting principles and experience working with statutory auditors.
• (Listed and OTC) derivatives administration experience is a plus
• A proactive attitude toward understanding why tasks are performed, combined with the curiosity to investigate processes and suggest meaningful improvements.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Self-organization: Organizing one's own work effectively by formulating objectives and planning activities; focusing available time and energy on major issues and critical problems.
• Problem analysis: Identifying problems; recognizing significant information; making connections between data; tracing possible causes of problems; investigating relevant data.
• Networking: Constructing relationships and networks which are useful in achieving objectives; making effective use of informal networks to get things done.
• Creativity: Coming up with original solutions for job-related problems; devising new working methods to replace current methods.
• Stress tolerance: Continuing to perform effectively when facing time pressure, adversity, disappointment and opposition.

What we offer

By joining our team, you will become part of this remarkable journey. You will work in a fun and highly dynamic environment and have the opportunity to collaborate with, and learn from expert colleagues. Part of your role will be contributing to the best outcomes for the charitable entities’ investment strategies and their portfolios - and enhancing its responsible investing activities, in support of our mission. 

• Job location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands (hybrid)
• This position is full-time.
• We offer a competitive salary & bonus incentive.
• Take advantage of our Flexible Working Guidelines and work up to 10 days per year from abroad, anywhere in the world.
• 31 vacation days and 4 volunteering days per year.
• Comprehensive benefits package (incl. learning budget, pension scheme, home office budget).

Compensation range details will be shared prior to the first screening conversation. 

An (online) assessment can be part of the recruitment process.

Reference and background checks are part of the final hiring procedure.

If you wish to apply, please submit your CV and motivation letter in English (in PDF format). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, therefore we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

The Investment Office is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse team.  We strongly encourage applications from candidates with disabilities, LGBTQI candidates, women, ethnic, racial and religious minorities, and other underrepresented groups.