At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide top-notch support for investment management platforms, focusing on BlackRock Aladdin.
- Company: Join a leading independent asset manager with a collaborative and impactful team.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, potential for permanent role, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Small, close-knit team with visible contributions and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Gain direct exposure to senior fund managers and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Hands-on Aladdin experience and strong stakeholder management skills required.
A well-established, independent specialist asset manager with circa £25bn AUM is looking to bring on a Front Office Systems Specialist to join a small, high-impact team embedded directly within the investment floor. This is a rare support-focused role — not implementation — offering genuine day-to-day proximity to senior portfolio managers and a chance to become a true subject matter expert within a lean, trusted team.
The firm runs a focused Aladdin implementation and needs someone who can own it, not just configure it. The right person will thrive in a fast-paced front office environment, be comfortable engaging directly with fund managers, and bring both the technical depth and the interpersonal confidence to make an immediate impact.
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing first- and second-line application support across the firm's core investment management platforms, with BlackRock Aladdin at the centre
- Supporting portfolio managers across order generation, order management workflows, and the 4-eyes checking process
- Managing pre- and post-trade compliance processes within the platform
- Maintaining system configuration, user access, entitlements and security models
- Supporting and troubleshooting the integration between Aladdin and the firm's outsourced execution desk
- Liaising with third-party vendors including BlackRock and BNY to manage incidents, releases and service issues
- Contributing to change delivery, UAT and process improvement initiatives
- Maintaining clear documentation, audit trails and control records
- Building trusted relationships across portfolio management, dealing, operations, compliance and technology
Essential Requirements
- Hands-on Aladdin experience across the 5 core modules: PFC, PFM, Dashboard, Aladdin View and T-1
- Proven experience in a support capacity within a front office or investment management environment (not purely implementation)
- Strong understanding of the end-to-end order management process including compliance workflows (pre and post trade)
- Confident, proactive stakeholder management — comfortable engaging directly with senior fund managers on the floor
- Solid business analysis skills — able to ask the right questions, gather requirements and articulate solutions clearly
- Circa 15 years' experience in asset management / front office systems
- Right to work in the UK
- Able to commit to 3 days per week in a Central London office
Desirable Experience
- Familiarity with Bloomberg and/or FactSet
- Exposure to outsourced execution platforms (e.g. FlexTrade) and end-to-end order flow
- Experience supporting a large fund manager population across a sizeable AUM base
- Prior experience on a focused/core Aladdin implementation (rather than full suite)
- Background in incident, problem and change management with strong root-cause analysis skills
Why This Role?
- Embedded within the investment floor — genuine front office exposure, not a back-office support desk
- Small, close-knit team where your contribution is visible and valued
- Contract with a clear path to a permanent position
- Competitive day rate with flexibility for the right candidate
- Immediate requirement — interviews moving quickly, target start before August
Front Office Systems Specialist in London employer: IO Associates
Join a leading engineering organisation that values innovation and excellence, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions directly impact high-performance solutions in safety-critical environments. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor fellow engineers and shape technical direction while working in an Agile/SAFe environment. Located in the UK, this role provides a unique chance to be part of cutting-edge projects in defence, aerospace, and industrial technology, ensuring a rewarding and meaningful career path.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Front Office Systems Specialist in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like IO Associates. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from IO Associates.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like IO Associates. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Front Office Systems Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in IO Associates and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show IO Associates how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at IO Associates
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with IO Associates.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with IO Associates's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
