Vice President of Transfer Agency Operations

Job Purpose:

This position is for a managerial role at the Assistant Vice President level within the Transfer Agency operational unit, reporting directly to the SG Head of TA Operations. The selected candidate will hold oversight responsibilities, making this an excellent opportunity for an individual with a background in the funds industry seeking to progress within a rapidly expanding and dynamic organization.

The candidate will be accountable for managing daily business-as-usual (BAU) activities, which include client and vendor servicing, BAU management, and oversight responsibilities while leading an operational team in Singapore. Additionally, the candidate is expected to foster close working relationships with product and technology partners, as well as operational teams both locally and in other Citi locations, ensuring proper oversight of in-country operational activities and any outsourced or offshored functions.

Job Background / Context:

The Transfer Agency Department is fundamentally responsible for the precise maintenance of the fund and shareholder register, as well as the accurate capture and reporting of investor dealings in the fund for which Citi serves as the transfer agent.

The local team handles day-to-day client servicing alongside various back-office functions within the transfer agency unit across mutual funds. Some operational tasks are performed by the local transfer agency unit, while others may be executed by Citi's outsourced or offshored locations globally or by external vendors.

Singapore TA is tasked with ensuring that sufficient Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Management Control Assessments (MCAs) are established, and that team deliverables such as management reports, billing, Management Information Systems (MIS), and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) metrics are delivered promptly to external clients and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

The candidate should possess comprehensive knowledge of the entire trade cycle, including other functions performed within Transfer Agency operations, as well as the roles of the Administrator and Custodian. Strong knowledge and extensive practical experience in the following core TA processes are required:

• Client/Distributor/Investor onboarding, Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation and administration, and data management
• Transaction processing and investor servicing
• Cash and trade settlement processing
• Corporate action processing
• CPF and SRS investor handling and processing
• Reporting of shareholder trade activity to the fund accountant and fund custodian
• Bank account reconciliation
• Foreign exchange dealing and execution
• Periodic client and investor reporting

The candidate should also have experience in the following responsibilities of the Transfer Agent:

• Reviewing fund prospectuses, operating memorandums, and key fund documentation
• Fund launches and implementation
• Client conversions
• Client change request management
• Client and vendor management
• Oversight and risk control management for domestic and outsourced functions
• Managing client due diligence visits
• Awareness of regulatory and industry changes and their impact on the business

Other Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily operations of one or multiple teams and unit supervisors, ensuring teams meet performance, service quality, and service delivery expectations.
• Manage staff resource allocation while assisting with the development and oversight of the budget.
• Resolve complex and highly variable issues with significant departmental impact.
• Oversee the volume, quality, integrity, timeliness, and delivery of complex deliverables.
• Analyze issues related to transaction capture and related functions where direction is needed, and recommend or take necessary actions.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to support a range of internal and external clients, ensuring essential procedures are followed and contributing to defining workflow standards.
• Oversee performance of operational activities and define, develop, implement, and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Identify opportunities to enhance processes, client service, control, and cost reduction, and implement improvements.
• Conduct discovery and due diligence activities with clients to resolve complex client queries.
• Evaluate staff performance and make recommendations for training/development, pay increases, hiring, terminations, and other personnel actions.
• Contribute to the objectives of the Transfer Agency operations in the region.
• Appropriately assess risk when making business decisions, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients, and assets by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Control Environment:

The candidate will be expected to identify issues or inefficiencies within the team and build a robust, controlled working environment, focusing on error prevention and mitigation.

Relationship and Network Building:

The candidate will also be expected to concentrate on building relationships with Citi TA vendors and other Citi locations that perform tasks on behalf of the SG TA, as well as with clients and other business partners both internally and externally. The candidate will act as the Transfer Agency Single Point of Contact for the vendor and sites performing TA responsibilities on behalf of our clients for SG, requiring strong skill sets and experience in:

• Acting as the key relationship and escalation point for vendors and other Citi locations across all TA functions, taking end-to-end responsibility for the TA relationship.
• Managing change with these business partners to ensure a controlled change environment.
• Engaging in proactive added-value communication with vendors and other Citi locations, and conducting briefings within TA to build awareness across teams.
• Understanding the requirements for oversight and control of third-party outsourced functions and the importance of adhering to regulatory obligations.

Development Value:

This senior management role is ideal for a candidate with strong TA and management experience to excel in their career within the fund services and fund administration sector, particularly concerning client servicing and relationship management, back-office support, and oversight of outsourced or offshored functions and activities.

The role will also present opportunities for involvement in departmental and inter-departmental initiatives beyond the daily tasks performed by the team.

Knowledge / Experience:

The candidate should have at least 8 years of working experience, preferably within Transfer Agency operations or in a Transfer Agency support role, with project management experience. Industry knowledge of Transfer Agency services and operations in Singapore, along with extensive experience in the fund administration space, is advantageous.

Skills:

In addition to a strong understanding of TA operations and the Funds Industry, the candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, and time management skills. The candidate should be capable of working independently on projects or subsets of projects and effectively represent the TA function operationally. Given the nature of oversight of outsourced or offshored functions, the candidate should possess a strong regulatory and compliance background and a solid understanding of local regulatory obligations and requirements.

Qualifications:

• Candidates should be educated to a tertiary level. Professional qualifications are preferred but not mandatory.
• Years of experience, preferably in a related role.
• Subject Matter Expert in multiple or specific skill sets, business areas, or products preferred.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage deadlines.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Consistently demonstrates clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Attention to detail and intermediate problem-solving skills.

Core Skills & Competencies:

• Delivery of high-quality service to internal and external customers.
• Manage the delivery of the team's tasks in a timely, accurate, and controlled environment, ensuring priority items are identified and addressed promptly.
• Display effective organizational skills to manage competing priorities.
• Liaise effectively with other parties, both internally and externally, and communicate professionally at all times.
• Represent the TA competently and professionally with external vendors and clients.
• Participate in regular service calls with external vendors and outsource business partners.
• Provide an excellent standard of service to clients, both internally and externally.
• Identify and take ownership of issues.
• Assume responsibility for assigned tasks and prioritize to meet expectations.
• Display effective delegation skills, focusing on developing individuals within the team.
• Coordinate and maintain a calendar of tasks for the team, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Act as TA representative on larger projects, as requested.
• Become actively involved in business development initiatives such as new business take-on.
• Implement effective risk awareness within the team, ensuring adherence to all documented controls.

Self-management:

• Ability to build strong and trusted working relationships with team members and colleagues.
• Completion of all assigned training and management of personal training paths by identifying training needs and opportunities.

Job Family Group:

Operations - Transaction Services

Job Family:

Cash Management

Time Type:

Full time

Citi is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Citigroup Inc. and its subsidiaries invite all qualified interested applicants to apply for career opportunities.