Senior Alternative Investments Operations Associate

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Under very limited direction and with a high level of autonomy, leads critical aspects of the operational support model for Raymond James alternative investment products throughout their full life cycle, including new product onboarding, ongoing servicing, issue resolution, control oversight, process enhancement, and, when applicable, termination of investment support. Serves as a senior subject matter expert and escalation resource for Financial Advisors, senior leadership, fund sponsors, internal business partners, and operations team members in resolving complex, high-impact operational issues. This role is expected to go beyond transaction processing by proactively identifying risks, improving workflows, strengthening controls, mentoring associates, and leading cross-functional initiatives that enhance the advisor and client experience across the Alternative Investments platform.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operational support for assigned alternative investment products, ensuring processes are executed accurately, consistently, and in alignment with policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and service expectations.Serve as a senior operational subject matter expert for assigned alternative investment products, applying deep industry knowledge to ensure operating processes compare favorably with internal standards and industry best practices.

• Own and resolve complex operational inquiries from Financial Advisors, fund sponsors, senior leadership, internal departments, and team members, providing clear guidance, timely follow-up, and sound recommendations.

• Provide functional leadership to operations associates by reviewing work; coaching team members; reinforcing procedures; and helping establish quality expectations for the team.Analyze existing operational infrastructure, control environments, and servicing routines for alternative investment products; identify gaps, trends, and risks; and present written recommendations to management for improvement.

• Lead cross-functional technology, reporting, workflow, and risk mitigation initiatives by partnering with Information Technology, compliance, product management, fund sponsors, and other internal stakeholders.

• Oversee and complete core operational activities, including fund subscriptions, suitability and documentation reviews, client trade confirmations, position and valuation updates, Financial Advisor commission payments, redemptions, reconciliations, and account performance maintenance.

• Lead suspense account, accrual, revenue share, and fund manager invoice-related reconciliation processes, including issue identification, escalation, resolution tracking, and coordination with Financial Reporting or other impacted teams.

• Develop, document, and maintain procedures, controls, training materials, and workflow guidance to promote consistency, reduce risk, and support scalable team operations.

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge of

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, Access, reporting tools, and the ability to analyze data to identify trends, exceptions, controls gaps, and operational improvement opportunities.

• Alternative investment operations, including fund subscriptions, redemptions, valuations, investor eligibility requirements, trade confirmations, reconciliations, commission processing, fund sponsor servicing, and operational controls.

• Leadership practices for coaching associates, influencing without direct authority, facilitating issue resolution, and promoting accountability across a team environment.

• Preferred working knowledge of artificial intelligence tools and their practical application to identify automation opportunities, enhance operational efficiency, strengthen controls, and support process improvement initiatives.

• Investment concepts, practices and procedures used in the securities industry.

• Basic principles of banking and finance and securities industry operations.

• Financial markets and products.

• Basic database and technology concepts  

• General and Limited Partnership Accounting Principles.

• FINRA and SEC rules involving investor accreditation standards.

• Working standards at a hedge fund, private equity fund, or alternative investment department.

• Accounting and reporting processes and controls, including cash management, valuation analysis, and NAV analysis.

Skill in

• Leading operational workstreams, establishing priorities, reviewing complex work, and ensuring timely execution in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.

• Interpreting and applying policies, procedures, regulatory guidance, and fund documentation while providing direction to others on appropriate application.

• Establishing operational objectives, defining success measures, and driving execution of initiatives that improve quality, efficiency, controls, and service levels.

• Developing processes and procedures for efficient and timely workflow.

• Preparing and making reports and presentations to various stakeholders.

• Promoting effective coordination between multiple work groups and functional areas.

• Identifying trends and implementing appropriate corrective action.

• Establishing control mechanisms.

• Operating standard office equipment and using required software applications.

Ability to

• Employ basic database and technology concepts and conceptualize how technology should be employed to increase effectiveness and efficiency of business processes.

• Partner with other functional areas to accomplish objectives.

• Access compliance procedures, regulatory reporting, and regulatory exam results.

• Lead meetings, facilitate decision-making, document outcomes, assign follow-up items, and ensure open issues are driven to timely resolution.

• Read and interpret complex legal documents such as private placement memorandums, limited partnership agreements, and selling agreements.

• Gather information, identify linkages, trends, and apply findings to operations.

• Influence, motivate, and guide associates and business partners to achieve desired operational outcomes while promoting accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Prioritize and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamically changing environment.

• Communicate effectively with management, respected hedge fund, private equity firms, and administrators both orally and in writing with precision and logic.

• Lead others in delivering a high level of service to Financial Advisors, clients, fund sponsors, and internal stakeholders, including serving as an escalation point for complex or sensitive matters.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels of the organization, including negotiating resources.

• Multi-task, work in teams, self-motivate/take initiative, innovate, work independently, adapt, accept and lead change, meet deadlines 

Education/Previous Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field and a minimum of five (5) years of relevant alternative investment, brokerage operations, fund administration, custody, or financial services operations experience, including demonstrated experience leading processes, projects, or team-level initiatives.

• OR ~

• Any equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience approved by Human Resources.

Licenses/Certifications

• SIE required provided that an exemption or grandfathering cannot be applied.

• Series 7 Required, Series 99, or ability to obtain within one year (as required by FINRA)

• CAIA Preferred.

Education

Work Experience

Certifications

Travel

Workstyle

The total compensation for this position includes base salary or wages, and may include components such as additional compensation (cash or equity), discretionary bonuses, or commissions. This position is eligible for a benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision; life insurance; critical illness insurance and accident insurance; disability benefits; retirement savings; paid time off (including vacation, holidays, and sick leave); and parental leave.  Eligibility for benefits and specific offerings may vary based on position and employment status. To view more details of the benefits offered, visit Myrjbenefits.com.

At Raymond James our associates use five guiding behaviors (Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve) to deliver on the firm's core values of client-first, integrity, independence and a conservative, long-term view. 
We expect our associates at all levels to:
•  Grow professionally and inspire others to do the same
•  Work with and through others to achieve desired outcomes
•  Make prompt, pragmatic choices and act with the client in mind
•  Take ownership and hold themselves and others accountable for delivering results that matter
•  Contribute to the continuous evolution of the firm

At Raymond James – as part of our people-first culture, we honor, value, and respect the uniqueness, experiences, and backgrounds of all of our Associates.  When associates bring their best authentic selves, our organization, clients, and communities thrive. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs.