Senior Vice President, Head of U.S. RIC Product Operations

Posted:
9/5/2024, 5:00:00 PM

Location(s):
Massachusetts, United States ⋅ Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Operations & Logistics

Workplace Type:
Hybrid

Job Description Summary

For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking.

In our collegial environment that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences.

We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm.

HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.

This position will be a hybrid work arrangement, which translates to 2-3 days minimum per week in the Boston office.

The Senior Vice President, Head of U.S. RIC Product Operations will have accountability for the oversight and coordination of all operational requirements of SEC-registered fund(s) that provide exposure to private markets through regular (e.g., monthly or quarterly) subscriptions and repurchases for US high net worth and institutional investors. The person will likely also serve as an officer, trustee and/or on the Board of Trustees for such funds.

The ideal candidate is someone who is/has:

  • A strong understanding of the mechanics and inter-dependencies of SEC-registered Funds, outsourcing of service providers, and distributors within the US private wealth channel
  • Experience working with funds subject to the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act, Securities Act, and Securities Exchange Act and with corresponding compliance requirements
  • Proactive self-starter
  • Analytical and organized
  • Meticulous while remaining focused on key goals
  • Good judgment around decision making and issue resolution
  • Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional and highly matrixed environment
  • Relationship-management skills for internal and external partners
  • Entrepreneurial, with a change-management mentality
  • Comfort working in areas that may not always have established precedents
  • Keen continuous improvement and efficiency mindset, focused on proactively identifying operational improvements
  • Strong written and oral English communication skills

What you will do:

Product Operations Oversight: Serve as a key member of the Private Wealth leadership team reporting to the Head of Private Wealth and be accountable and responsible for driving and ensuring the operational excellence of the U.S. SEC-registered fund(s) (the “Funds").

  • Partner with Product Manager, Portfolio Manager, Private Wealth sales team, and firm operations leaders to ensure the effective operational execution and risk management of the Funds
  • Serve as commercial business lead to all central operational leaders, ensuring that all operational, legal, and compliance requirements of the Fund(s) are met, including accounting, client administration and servicing, client reporting, compliance reporting, data management, legal and regulatory needs, tax, etc.
  • Coordinate with central vendor management team to oversee third-party service providers for the Fund(s), including fund administrators, transfer agents, and custodians, to ensure excellence in day-to-day fund operations as well as a strong control environment
  • Support Private Wealth sales, Product Management, and other relationship leads in the production and creation of all marketing content, coordination of RFP responses, product development, and distributor onboarding and management
  • Monitor operational, legal, regulatory, and technological developments within the SEC-registered fund market and develop and drive continuous improvement plans internally
  • Assess and report internally on the overall health of the SEC-registered fund(s)

Fund Governance: Expected to act as external fund Board of Trustees representative accountable for the overall management of the board.

  • Serve as officer, trustee, and/or board member for HarbourVest-advised SEC-registered Funds
  • Have overall responsibility for all processes and procedures related to the production of accurate and comprehensive Board reporting
  • Manage the relationship with the Board and work with the Evergreen Portfolio Management Team and HarbourVest's Legal and Compliance functions to seek Board approvals as needed, including with regard to regular investment approvals

Education Preferred:

Strong academic and professional credentials

Experience:

15+ years of investment, structuring, product development, client service and/or experience with the operations of SEC-registered investment companies

Nice to have: Experience with tender offer or interval funds, distribution through high-net-worth channels within the US, and/or illiquid investments

#LI-Hybrid