At a Glance
- Tasks: Support onboarding and implementation in investment operations, ensuring smooth trade lifecycle management.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leader in retirement solutions with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace change and grow your career in a supportive, collaborative team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the financial sector while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in asset management and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 41800 - 41800 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Capital Markets Strategic Onboarding & Implementation Associate with strong experience in investment operations and middle office environments to help us shape better retirements across the UK. In our Middle Office team, you’ll be part of a niche skill set, playing a key role in delivering the effective onboarding of new instruments, counterparties and investment activity across public and private markets.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: This role will be based in either our London, Telford, Birmingham or Edinburgh office (3 days per week in the office), with some time working between the office and home. There will be some travel between our Standard Life offices.
Salary and benefits: From £41,800 (subject to experience) + bonus, excellent pension (pro-rated) scheme, private medical insurance, electric vehicle scheme, 38 days holiday incl. Bank Holidays (pro-rated), plus 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more!
Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.
Middle Office is a key support function for the Retirement Solutions & Asset Management Front Office. It has wide ranging accountability ensuring operational control of investment activities, supporting the Group and AM governance framework, and delivery of investment reporting. The current Credit & Rates and Strategic Onboarding & Implementation Middle Office teams create a multi-asset class Middle Office team. This offers new joiners the chance to learn front to back management of a wider asset set.
The role involves coordinating approval of new instruments by ensuring internal capabilities across several functions within Standard Life, offering support and guidance to ensure new instruments can be supported within the existing system architecture. A key focus of this role will be to ensure accurate and timely capture and reporting of investments through internal systems requiring coordination of activities amongst internal functions and key outsourced service providers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support pre and post Trade Life Cycle activities across multiple assets classes
- Working closely with L1 Compliance, assist with documentation and screening process for KYC/CDD processes during the onboarding process
- Co-ordinate and ownership of asset transfers related to BPA deals, including data validation and coordination of transfer instructions
- Own the trade capture process for BPA's, Asset transfers and some Private Market transactions into internal reporting systems (InVista and Blackrock Aladdin)
- Review of post trade investment activities amongst internal functions
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with other Middle Office functions and key business stakeholders throughout Standard Life
What are we looking for?
- Asset Management background or Oversight of Asset Management Middle Office Function.
- Demonstrated experience delivering accurate, high‑quality operational or investment support work, with clear ownership of outputs and attention to detail in a fast-paced, regulated, deadline‑driven environment.
- Strong data and analytical capability, evidenced by hands‑on use of Excel at intermediate to advanced level (e.g. formulas, pivot tables, lookups); exposure to Power BI, SQL or VBA is advantageous.
- Proven ability to manage personal workload independently, meeting deadlines while working across multiple tasks or priorities, and escalating issues appropriately when required.
- Clear, professional communication skills, with experience working collaboratively with a range of internal teams and/or external counterparties to support operational or investment processes.
We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you.
Middle Office Strategic Onboarding Associate employer: Phoenix Group
Standard Life is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London, Edinburgh, Telford, or Birmingham, with flexible working arrangements that prioritise your needs. With a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, private medical cover, and opportunities for career development, we foster a culture of curiosity and accountability, empowering you to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the retirement sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Middle Office Strategic Onboarding Associate
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Phoenix Group. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Middle Office Strategic Onboarding Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Phoenix Group.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Phoenix Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Phoenix Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Phoenix Group.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Phoenix Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Phoenix Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
