Senior Associate – Funding & Disbursements

Who we are looking for

As a senior associate within platform operations, you will work as part of a team to complete multiple processes. You will need the ability to be able to work quickly, efficiently, and accurately to ensure avoidance of errors. As Benchmark is an ever-evolving business you will need to embrace change in a positive manner, and always look to see to challenge processes with a view to driving efficiencies. This is a great opportunity for an individual who is willing to learn, and work as part of a team for a business that embraces change. 

About Benchmark

Our award-winning, proprietary solutions cover regulatory, platform and investment services, and are designed to support advisers at every step of their journey – from starting and running a financial advice business more productively and effectively, to accelerating its growth and realising its value.
We support high quality financial advisers with our award-winning technology and support services. 

And with our own Financial Advice business, we help families find solutions to meet their needs and aspirations and achieve peace of mind. By providing access to higher quality solutions, we make it easier for them to meet and exceed their goals.
Ensuring good client outcomes, with the client's interests central to decision making, is very important at Benchmark. Treating Customers Fairly principles are embedded within our organisation and we take responsibility for embracing and promoting our duty of care to all clients, including those who may be more vulnerable than others.

The base

You'll be based at our Broadlands Business Campus near Horsham in West Sussex. It has high standards and international reputation, without being in the city: a big, countryside campus means life will feel a little different. We support our offices by using cutting edge software and hardware and our spacious campus facilities mean there's a great working environment for the team. With an on-site restaurant, coffee shop and gym, our campus has much to offer. And commuters can relax on our dedicated regular shuttle bus to and from Horsham's main line train station.

We know that helping you balance personal and professional commitments is a big part of that, so we're open to flexible working. Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need.

What you'll do 

Take ownership of allocating workloads daily.
Act as a point of escalation.
Drive the right attitudes and behaviours within the team.
Drive efficiencies within the team
Chair morning huddles and team meetings.
Understand key risks within the team and escalate appropriately when required.
Increase understanding and awareness of the broader business.
Take ownership of more senior job functions within the team.
Forge strong business relationships with key stakeholders.
Drive succession planning within the team.
Provide key updates to the team on key initiatives that will have an impact on the team.
Champion the company's ambitions to facilitate growth and success.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need 

Strong communicator - Strong interpersonal skills who takes a wider interest in other activities on the team and business, offering support wherever possible.
Team player - Ability to develop and manage strong working relationships with global internal departments and external counterparties. 
People skills – Work closely with your team to drive team engagement and a high performing team.
Deadlines – Someone who can work to tight deadlines and provide key updates to manage expectations.
Customer – Think customer. Ensure that the customer is at the heart of all your decisions to ensure best customer outcomes.
Challenge the status quo - Always look for the opportunity to challenge processes or opinions if you feel things can be completed in a more effective way.
Previous platform experience/Financial Services experience (Preferred)
Studying towards industry exams (Preferred)
Proficient in MS suite of application including Excel/Word/Powerpoint (Preferred)

What you'll be like 

Promoter of the Treating Customers Fairly principles and deliver your own responsibility for the duty of care to our clients.
Passionate – Have a desire to work as part of a successful organisation within the finance sector. 
People Focussed – Enjoy working closely with a team and have a passion for improving individual performance.
Embrace change - Benchmark is forever evolving as a business, and there will be changes made to the business model. 
Resilient - Benchmark is a diverse and complex business. You will need to be able to understand multiple    processes and navigate the ever-changing landscape.
Leader mindset – Posses the right attitude and behaviours of a leader and be a role model for others.
Positive outlook – Possess a positive attitude. Face challenges head on and drive positive outcomes.

We're looking for the best, whoever they are

Our purpose is to provide excellent client outcomes and service. Diversity of thought facilitated by an inclusive culture will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer: you are welcome here regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or any other protected characteristics