Implementation Manager

 

Title: Manager, Program Engineering	Location: Dallas, Texas
Functional Role: Program Engineering	Reports To: SVP, Program Engineering

 

BACKGROUND

Placemark Investments is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is privately held, with 54 employees located in offices in Dallas, Texas and Wellesley, Massachusetts.

 

Placemark develops, implements, and supports wealth solutions, including Unified Managed Account platforms and retirement solutions for broker/dealers, registered investment advisors, banks, and family offices. As the separate account industry’s leading independent overlay portfolio manager, Placemark coordinates multiple investment vehicles such as separately managed accounts, mutual funds, and ETFs into a single customized portfolio.

 

Placemark’s mission is to fundamentally change the way that investment management services are delivered to clients, fostering a more efficient operating model and delivering more sophisticated investment strategies to meet a wider variety of client needs. We enable financial advisors, sponsors, and product providers (managers) to better collaborate in delivering superior investment solutions to their clients. As a firm, Placemark seeks to foster an entrepreneurial culture focused on integrity, innovation, respect for employees, exceeding customers’ needs and adding real value.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Manager, Program Engineering is primarily responsible for managing the overall program management effort involved in getting individual clients operational on our investment management platform. This involves a combination of operational, technical and project management skills. More specifically, this role will be responsible for working directly with the head of Program Engineering to define and implement processes and technology to support each program sponsor. This person will be responsible for coordinating the implementation effort for specific sponsor/client organizations with substantial client interaction including acting as sole liaison with client organization throughout the implementation effort. This person will also be responsible for working with and coordinating between internal resources involved in the overall implementation effort, and for leading the operational integration effort. A portion of this person's responsibilities will also involve gathering and documenting business requirements, ensuring that functional business requirements are accurately captured in a clear and concise manner. Responsibilities include:

 

Program Management

	Facilitate interactions with client implementation project teams
	Coordinate internal resources and ensure delivery to expected timeline
	Report progress to senior management on a regular basis

Operational Integration

	Lead effort to integrate our operational platform with that of the sponsors, and map out any development required internally to complete the integration effort. To the extent that development is required, manage the business aspects of the development effort and ensure requirements are met.
	Work with client project team to thoroughly investigate end-to-end operational processes and procedures and document actual operational requirements with each sponsor.

Technology Integration

Work with technology team to build the necessary data interfaces and application interfaces to enable the two businesses to effectively communicate.

 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITIES

	In-depth understanding of portfolio accounting and custodial platforms for broker/dealers
	At least 5 years experience in financial services; experience in wealth management or asset management a plus
	Interest and demonstrated knowledge of financial markets - including equities, fixed income, separately managed accounts, mutual funds, ETFs, and hedge funds
	In-depth knowledge of trade order management and routing systems
	Understanding of account reconciliation and books and records maintenance for investment accounts
	Project/program management experience involving large, complex projects requiring coordination of multiple, disparate groups where you as project manager have no direct authority over these groups.
	Understanding of basic technology platforms (relational databases, n-tier architectures, web applications, etc.) as well as development methodologies (SDLC, etc.)
	Strong knowledge/experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint
	Four Year Degree in Related Field [BBA/MIS/BIS/ENG/etc]
	Knowledge or familiarity with basic programming principles, SQL, systems development methodologies
	Some experience programming either in technical languages or scripting languages (VB/etc.) a strong plus

REQUIRED PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

	Excellent problem solving skills and critical thinking capability
	Attention to detail, and proactive prevention of errors or task issues
	Personable, client service approach and strong customer service skills
	Accepts responsibility, ownership, and accountability for work results
	Finds a high volume, dynamic work environment engaging
	Strong verbal and written communication skills
	Experience managing complex projects and directing resources
	Strong organizational and time management skills
	Desire to understand Placemark's operational and technical environments

 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

	Competitive salary plus sales commissions
	Comprehensive benefits package including: o  Medical, dental and vision insurance  o  3 weeks paid vacation o  401(k) plan with company match o  Employer paid life insurance, AD&D and short-term disability coverage.

To apply for this anticipated position, please send your resume to careers@placemark.com. Please be sure to include the position title, Implementation Manager in the subject line of the email.