Manager, Investment Operations

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Manager, Investment Operations

Department: Investments

Reports to: Vice President, Investments and Assistant Treasurer

FLSA Status: Exempt

The anticipated salary for this position starts at $123,000+. The final pay will be determined based on several factors, including qualifications, experience, education, and years within the job or industry, with a strong emphasis on maintaining internal equity.

Who We Are And What We’re About

KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization and the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. We partner with donors in providing philanthropic support to build a greater KU.

As an employee of KU Endowment, you’ll witness firsthand the power of our donors’ generosity. You will join a talented and fun group of people who are inspired to help KU through the support of loyal alumni and friends. This support fuels excellence, enabling students and faculty to develop innovative programs and research that distinguish the university. We connect the philanthropic passions of donors with the needs of students, faculty and programs – and everyone benefits.

People are engaged. Purpose is ignited. Lives are changed.

What We Are Looking For

The Manager, Investment Operations, ensures accurate, timely, and efficient investment operations, driving better investment decisions and supporting KU Endowment’s mission of serving the University of Kansas. The position is located within the KU Endowment’s Investment Department in Lawrence, Kansas, with occasional remote work opportunities. This eight-person Department manages a complex, globally diversified $3 billion investment portfolio that includes assets ranging from liquid stocks and bonds to illiquid alternative strategies and real estate. Reporting to the Vice President, Investments & Assistant Treasurer, this position will collaborate closely with external service providers and internal stakeholders to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of accounting reconciliation, cash management, portfolio reporting, and document administration.

The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – collaboration, curiosity, empowerment, and excellence – and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities. In addition, all members of the Investment Department are expected to adhere to the CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

What’s a typical day look like?

• Oversee the accurate and timely recording of all investment transactions in the Accounting Book of Record (ABOR) and the Investment Book of Record (IBOR), as applicable.
• Own monthly reconciliations between IBOR, ABOR, cash accounts, and third-party reports.
• Conduct monthly/quarterly valuations in support of the performance reporting process.
• Oversee critical elements of cash management, including managing capital calls and distributions from private partnerships, and contribute to cash flow forecasting to ensure adequate liquidity for operational and investment needs.
• Responsible for coordinating the gifts of securities process, working with donors, brokers, and development staff to ensure accurate and timely receipting and recording of gifts.
• Supports multiple facets of the audit process, ranging from coordinating confirmation letters to asset managers to assisting with the preparation of work papers.
• Organizes and maintains paper and electronic records to support the investment operations function.
• Proactively contribute ideas to improve operational processes and identify opportunities for greater efficiency and accuracy.
• Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.
  
  

What’s Required To Be Considered

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a closely related field is required.
• Attainment of a CPA license may be helpful but is less important than demonstrated experience with investment operations or supporting a highly quantitative environment.
• At least 2-5 years of experience in investment operations, treasury, accounting, performance reporting, or a similar setting.
• Experience within an institutional investment organization (foundation, endowment, pension, investment management firm) is preferable but not required.
  
  

What separates the best from the rest?

• Working knowledge of investment operations.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of Front Office Solutions Software is a plus.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• A valid driver’s license.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple locations for training, donor meetings, networking, events and/or work-related activities.
• Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards.
• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office productivity machinery such as computers, keyboards and a mouse, laptops, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• The person in this position frequently communicates with donors, colleagues, students, and general public. Must be able to communicate with others effectively.
• Physical effort/lifting, light-up to 20 pounds.
• Rare travel requirements can include the following, evenings, weekends, and out of town overnights as a regular part of the job.
  
  

We’ve Got You Covered

KU Endowment offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefit package including:

• 100% employer-paid pension plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) matching program
• Section 125 flexible benefits
• Generous paid leave including holidays, personal and sick leave
• Volunteer and community engagement opportunities
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance
• Legal & ID Theft protection
• Critical Illness
• Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance
• KU education assistance
• Free parking
  
  

Sounds good, right? What’s next?

Please include your resume and cover letter when applying for this position on our website at https://www.kuendowment.org/careers.

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Because of the sensitive nature of KU Endowment business and the importance of our reputation with donors, KU Endowment conducts a comprehensive review of applicants. By submitting your application, you authorize us to conduct reference checks and a review of available public information. Employment is contingent upon background and reference checks that KU Endowment finds acceptable.