At a Glance
- Tasks: Support investment management systems and solve complex application problems.
- Company: Join State Street, a leader in financial services with a focus on inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the finance world while growing your skills and knowledge.
- Qualifications: University degree in Business or related field; experience in investment industry preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
This job is with State Street, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
Company Profile: Charles River provides an end-to-end solution to automate front and middle office investment management functions across asset classes on a single platform. Delivered as a hosted service, the solution improves data quality and investment professional productivity, controls risk and lowers technology costs. Charles River serves more than 350 investment firms in over 40 countries in the institutional asset and fund management, private wealth, alternative investments, insurance, banking, and pension markets. Charles River was acquired by State Street in October 2018.
Background: Strong candidates are generally experienced in:
- Providing business/functional support for investment management or trading systems
- Handling complex and challenging application problems
Responsibilities:
- Working in a team providing application support for the Charles River IMS via e-mail, telephone and WebEx.
- Identifying client requirements, devising solutions, defining product enhancement requests and suggesting workarounds where applicable.
- Continually deepening your product, business and industry knowledge through role exposure, keeping up to date with new features, relevant internal training sessions and personal development (e.g. CISI certifications funded by Charles River).
- Making astute use of all available resources to progress investigations: self-expertise, system documentation, knowledgebase, product specialists, implementation consultants, product engineers.
- Providing best practice guidance, solution design, and instructions to clients and colleagues.
- Taking responsibility for both technical and functional investigations.
- Proactive management of client cases to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Managing client expectations.
- Appropriately escalating significant issues to line manager.
- Liaising with the product engineering team to detail software enhancement requests and document potential defects.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications Required:
Business/Personal:
- Essential: University degree. Preferably in Business/Financial/Economics discipline. Potentially Computer Science/Engineering.
- Exposure to and knowledge of the investment industry from a buy-side perspective - Largely financial instruments and workflows. Knowledge of major players and trends are a bonus.
- Drive to progress personal knowledge.
- Experienced in dealing with users or clients from both a business and technical perspective.
- Ability to perform under pressure and prioritise tasks appropriately.
- Excellent communication skills - verbal and written.
- Self-motivated and able to demonstrate initiative.
- A desire to own issues to resolution.
- Enjoys complex problem solving and investigation.
Highly Desirable:
- Experience with Order Management Systems (OMS).
- Previous application support experience within the Front Office/buy-side.
- Financial certification (CFA L1 or higher, IMC, Claritas Investment Certificate, CISI Investment Operations Certificate, ...).
- General understanding of financial services technologies including integration, development, and data management.
- Exposure to supporting SaaS delivery model.
- Fluency in a second European language.
Technical:
Essential:
- Experience with relational databases preferably Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle.
- Minimum of Beginner-level proficiency in SQL.
Desirable:
- Intermediate to Advanced-level proficiency in SQL.
- Experience in tackling complex application problems.
- Past exposure to any scripting or coding language e.g. Java, C#, Python, Perl, C++, VBA.
About State Street:
State Street is one of the largest custodian banks, asset managers and asset intelligence companies in the world. From technology to product innovation we're making our mark on the financial services industry. For more than two centuries, we've been helping our clients safeguard and steward the investments of millions of people. We provide investment servicing, data & analytics, investment research & trading and investment management to institutional clients.
Work, Live and Grow: We make all efforts to create a great work environment. Our benefits packages are competitive and comprehensive. Details vary in locations, but you may expect generous medical care, insurance and savings plans among other perks. You'll have access to flexible Work Program to help you match your needs. And our wealth of development programs and educational support will help you reach your full potential.
Inclusion, Diversity and Social Responsibility: We truly believe our employees' diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are a powerful contributor to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and reach their maximum potential while adding value to both our organization and our clients. We warmly welcome candidates of diverse origin, background, ability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and personality. Another fundamental value at State Street is active engagement with our communities around the world, both as a partner and a leader. You will have tools to help balance your professional and personal life, paid volunteer days, matching gift program and access to employee networks that help you stay connected to what matters to you.
State Street is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
Discover more at StateStreet.com/careers
About State Street: Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success. We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you'll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.
Discover more information on jobs at StateStreet.com/careers
Product Specialist, Charles River Development, Officer employer: State Street
State Street is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity and employee growth, offering a dynamic work environment for Product Specialists at Charles River Development. With comprehensive benefits, flexible work arrangements, and a commitment to professional development through funded certifications, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The company's dedication to diversity and community engagement further enhances the workplace culture, making it a rewarding place to build a career in the financial services industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Specialist, Charles River Development, Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at State Street or Charles River on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Product Specialist role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the investment management industry. Brush up on your knowledge of financial instruments and workflows, especially from a buy-side perspective. The more you know, the more confident you'll feel when discussing your insights.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've tackled complex application issues or provided exceptional support. This will highlight your ability to thrive under pressure, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the team at State Street and Charles River. Let's get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Specialist, Charles River Development, Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Product Specialist role. Highlight your experience with investment management systems and any relevant technical skills. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of client interaction, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills in your written application. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas and experiences.
Highlight Problem-Solving Experience:We love candidates who can tackle complex problems! Share examples from your past where you've successfully resolved challenging issues, especially in a technical or financial context. This will show us you're ready for the challenges ahead.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it keeps everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at State Street
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of Charles River's investment management solutions. Familiarise yourself with their features and benefits, as well as any recent updates or enhancements. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you answer questions confidently.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the technical nature of the role, brush up on your SQL skills and be ready to discuss your experience with relational databases. You might be asked to solve a problem on the spot, so practice explaining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to share examples of complex problems you've solved in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, highlighting how you approached the issue and what the outcome was. This will demonstrate your analytical thinking and initiative.
✨Emphasise Communication and Teamwork
As a Product Specialist, you'll need to liaise with clients and colleagues regularly. Highlight your communication skills and provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in the past. This will reassure the interviewers that you're a team player who can manage client expectations effectively.
