General
Job Title: 2nd Line Assurance Analyst (UK - London)
Job Summary: Contribute to the provision of high-quality independent risk assurance and compliance monitoring across the group. Approximately 60-70% of the roll will be focused on compliance monitoring, control validation and associated administrative tasks, and the rest will be focused on investment compliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to the on-going development of the risk based second line assurance framework.
- Assist in the development and delivery of the second line assurance plan including in relation to investment compliance.
- Undertake ongoing compliance monitoring, and scope, plan and undertake risk-based compliance monitoring thematic reviews across the group to provide assurance that regulatory requirements and other compliance policies are adhered to.
- Scope, plan and undertake risk assurance (control validation) assignments to assess the design and operational effectiveness of the group’s control environment.
- Prepare reports to a high standard, including content, format, style and timeliness. Reports should include root cause analysis and be pragmatic.
- Manage relationships with other parts of the group, including encouraging colleagues to go to the assurance functions for support to help ensure they carry out their roles in a controlled and compliant manner.
- Work closely with colleagues in other assurance functions to: ensure an efficient approach to assurance, share knowledge, and identify areas of concern.
- Assist with the preparation of papers to relevant boards and committees.
- Assist with ad-hoc assurance work and projects as required.
- Assist / provide cover for the Investment Compliance Officer with tasks including, but not limited to:
- Monitoring the adherence to investment related regulatory requirements, internal investment policies and parameters;
- Monitoring investment activities at both pre- and post-trade as it relates to both internal and externally managed accounts;
- Maintaining and updating compliance monitoring systems to ensure investment portfolios adhere to set rules, including credit ratings, sector limits and concentration limits;
- Market Abuse monitoring including investment team communications, trade execution and PA Dealing;
- 2nd line point of contact for the investment staff and for investment related queries from third parties;
- Preparing and submitting committee and STOR reporting;
- Supporting ad-hoc Compliance advisory tasks;
- Applying investment compliance Controls and ensuring a robust Control environment is maintained; and
- Monitoring the Investment compliance mailbox.
Personal Specification
Knowledge and Experience:
- Experience of working in an assurance related role, i.e. compliance, internal/external audit, risk management.
- A working knowledge of risk management frameworks, risk and control assessment.
- Experience of delivering assurance projects (planning, designing and executing testing, performing root cause analysis, reporting results), as well as liaising with senior management as appropriate.
- Strong understanding of the financial services industry (ideally insurance) and its regulatory environment in one or more of the following jurisdictions: US, UK, Europe.
- A good Understanding of corporate governance.
- A good understanding of Market Abuse, COBS and SYSC rules.
- A good understanding of investment products, particularly Fixed Income.
- 2-3 years’ experience in investment compliance, financial services, or a related field preferably in an insurance or asset management firm.
Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proactive, able to identify tasks that need completing and see them through to their conclusion.
- Ability to work in the detail and see the big picture.
- Excellent time management and prioritisation.
- Analytical thinking.
- Team player, as well as the ability to use own initiative.
- Ability to work in a pressurised, deadline bound environment.
- Ability to work independently.
Aptitude and Disposition:
- Highly motivated
- Outcome focused
- Flexible
- Professional approach to successfully interact with stakeholders