Head of Transfer Agency Oversight

Schroders Personal Wealth aims to improve the way financial advice is offered, by making it more affordable, accessible and powerful for more people. We want to change lives for the better.

The SPW ACD Head of Transfer Agency Oversight is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing and managing the transfer agency operations of a third-party transfer agent (currently SS&C). This position requires strong expertise in transfer agency functions, exceptional organisational skills, and the ability to effectively collaborate with various stakeholders. The job plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and efficient delivery of transfer agency services while adhering to regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

The SPW ACD Head of Transfer Agency Oversight will be required to deputise for the Deputy Head of Fund Services and to participate in a range of change management, supplier management, business planning and forecasting activities.

The role involves day-to-day responsibility for SPW ACD’s transfer agency activities including:

• Operational Management
  • Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of SS&C (the outsourced transfer agency service provider), ensuring service levels, performance targets, and quality standards are met or exceeded.
  • Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and procedures to optimise efficiency, mitigate risks, and enhance service delivery.
  • Monitor operational metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement and implement appropriate corrective actions.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and process enhancements within the transfer agency operations.
  • Develop and oversee the delivery of a retail client communication strategy.
• Relationship Management
  • Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including client fund managers, custodians, and internal teams, to understand their needs, address concerns, and ensure alignment of services.
  • Actively engage with the outsourced service provider to build a collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership, promoting effective communication, and resolving any issues or escalations.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews and service level agreement (SLA) assessments with the outsourced service provider to ensure contractual obligations are met and contractual compliance is maintained.
• Compliance and Risk Management
  • Stay abreast of regulatory requirements and industry developments pertaining to transfer agency operations, implementing necessary changes to ensure compliance.
  • Develop and maintain a robust control framework to mitigate operational, financial, and reputational risks associated with transfer agency activities.
  • Perform periodic risk assessments, audits, and due diligence reviews of the outsourced service provider to ensure adherence to established controls and compliance standards.
  • Collaborate with internal compliance and legal teams to address any regulatory or legal issues related to transfer agency operations.
• Business Management
  • Undertake a range of business management tasks, as required by the Deputy Head of Fund Services, including co-ordinating and participating in wider third party due diligence activities.
  • Deputise for the Head of Fund Services, as required. The role holder will be expected to gain and maintain sufficient fund accounting, investment risk management, change management and business planning skills to be effective.
  • Undertake non-transfer agency projects, as required by the Deputy Head of Fund Services.

Qualifications & Skills

The jobholder will possess a strong background and experience in transfer agency and financial services change management. Specifically, they will be able to evidence:

• Extensive experience (typically 10+ years) in transfer agency operations, preferably within the retail collective investment scheme sector.
• Strong knowledge of transfer agency processes, regulations (e.g., UCITS, AIFMD), and industry best practices.
• Proven track record of managing outsourced service providers, with a solid understanding of vendor management principles.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve high performance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using transfer agency systems and software (e.g., transfer agency platforms, investor recordkeeping systems).
• Sound understanding of compliance, risk management, and control frameworks in the financial services industry.

We understand not everyone will meet 100% of the requirements, however we encourage you to apply if you think your skills are a good fit for this role.

This job vacancy may close earlier than the advertised date if a suitable candidate is found. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Some fantastic benefits SPW colleagues enjoy:

• Generous Holiday Entitlement: 30 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell 5 days.
• Health & Wellbeing: Company-paid Private Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, and Health Screening.
• Company Pension Contribution: A matched pension contribution of up to 15% of your base pay.
• Cash Allowance: Flexible allowance to spend on additional benefits personal to you, including: dental cover, paid sabbatical leave, gym membership, menopause support.
• Bonus Opportunity: Dependent on individual/company performance (eligible after 3 months’ service).
• Financial Advice: Access to free financial advice to help secure your financial future.

We support flexible working: At SPW, we know how important it is to be able to achieve a balance. We want to support your lifestyle as well as meeting our business needs, so will always aim to be flexible. As well as traditional working patterns, we have colleagues who work informal flexible hours, reduced working hours, and have job-sharing arrangements. Many colleagues work from home, or in a hybrid way.

Ready to restart your career? We warmly welcome applications from those returning to work after a period of leave, providing appropriate support and training where required.

You belong here: At SPW, we embrace individuality and diversity of identity, experience, and thought. We actively strive for inclusive behaviours and actions, making appropriate adjustments for disabilities, health conditions and neurodiversities. We ensure equal opportunities for all and transparently report on gender pay to promote fairness.

Schroders Personal Wealth operates under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime as a solo-regulated firm and if this role is classed as a Certified Role under that regime you will be subject to enhanced vetting and will have a number of additional conduct and regulatory duties to adhere to, as well as certifying at least annually that you are fit and proper to perform this role.