Senior Fund Controller

Description

Position Overview

HighVista Strategies is seeking to hire a Senior Fund Controller with 5 to 10 years of private credit fund experience at an asset manager, fund administrator, or public accounting firm.  The successful candidate will join the PE & VC Fund Operations team, a specialist operations partner providing expertise and support to HighVista Strategies Private Equity, Venture Capital and Private Credit asset classes.  The team is designed to oversee the work performed by our third party administrators and other strategic partners, while adding value to the investment process and clients through leveraging the teams’ skills and experiences in these products. The role will involve daily direct engagement with senior members of the investment teams, the CFO, Director of PE & VC Fund Operations, Head Fund Counsel and other parts of the HighVista Strategies Finance and operations teams. 

The Senior Fund Controller is expected to recognize the differences in execution and specialism between different asset classes, clients, geographies and systems.  The role will offer an opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership through continued focus on the development and evolution of the HighVista Strategies private credit operating model. 

The successful candidate will oversee the fund control and operations of existing and new funds or segregated mandates.  A key part of the role will be engaging with the third party administrator to direct fund operations along with other strategic partners while working closely with both internal and external stakeholders in the pursuit of delivering excellence in investor experience. 

Key Outcomes

Strategic development of the current operational model – continued focus on the evolution of the current operating model, identifying potential improvements to the operational processes and activities of the team, proposing and leading implementation of methods for more efficient and effective working across the operating platforms

Management      of service providers – day to day liaison with the third      party administrator, banks, auditors and other third party relationships.      This will involve assessing service delivery against critical key      performance indicators and ensuring service weaknesses are identified and      improved in a timely manner; 

Investment team liaison –providing assistance to the investment professionals and wider team on finance related tasks;

Coordination      of the valuation process - coordination of the valuation process and      preparation of associated papers for valuation committee. Review direct      investment valuations prepared in house and provide related support to the      investment team;

Treasury management – act as intermediary between third party administrator and investment team to ensure appropriate monitoring of cash balances, establishment of cash reserves and ensure timely accurate settlements for all transactions;

New funds and product launches – partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful operational delivery. Determine and apply best operating practices to ensure efficiency is maximized.

Responsibility for ensuring ongoing fund deliverables and tasks are managed effectively to agreed timescales and high expectations – ensure fund NAVs, financial statements and investor reporting are all delivered accurately within required timeframes, annual audits processed timely, support the Client Relations team to respond and resolve investor queries or due diligence requirements.

Requirements

 Essential Key Knowledge/Experience/Qualifications

· Extensive experience of Private Markets operations ideally having worked in a similar role at a Private Credit Fund manager overseeing third party administrators, performing private credit fund audits, or management experience in private credit fund administration. 

· Qualified accountant (CPA or equivalent) preferred but not required

· Excellent technical skills with up to date knowledge of current partnership accounting practices and standards

· Strong communication skills with the ability to plan, prioritize and organize deliverables

Competencies 

· Bachelor’s degree required

· Highly detail-oriented with excellent organization and prioritization skills

· Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment

· Team player with proven ability to collaborate across functions

· Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills

· Fluency in Microsoft Office suite of products 

· Ability to identify and manage operational risk