Job Posting for Manager, Fund Administration at State of Wisconsin Investment Board

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Making a Difference
The State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB), founded in 1951, is a premier global investment organization responsible for managing the more than $156 billion of assets of the fully funded Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), the State Investment Fund and other state funds. Through SWIB’s effective and innovative investment management, WRS remains one of the only fully funded US public pensions. We are the 9th largest public pension fund in the U.S. and the 25th largest public or private pension fund in the world. SWIB is recognized by the investment industry for our teamwork and innovation. SWIB pursues sophisticated global investment strategies across the asset and risk allocation spectrum. Providers across the investment ecosystem seek to partner with SWIB.

Serving more than 677,000 beneficiaries of the WRS, SWIB is a mission-driven organization focused on providing a strong financial future to those who committed their careers to public service. For public employees and the 1,500 Wisconsin employers who contribute on their behalf, we are a trusted partner. Our team innovates continuously to meet the challenges of an evolving investment landscape while growing and protecting the assets of the WRS.

SWIB provides a strong, steady economic pillar for the state of Wisconsin by growing the trust funds under its management, managing risk, and optimizing costs of the long term. We are a mission-driven organization and the participants we serve are our mission. By bringing a disciplined, prudent, and innovative approach to market opportunities, SWIB has been successful in generating required returns and maintaining the trust of the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the funds we oversee.

Home To Top Talent

Our high-performing staff is key to what makes us a premier investment manager. SWIB is committed to investing in talented professionals to implement our robust, sophisticated investment strategies and to keep the organization at the forefront of the investment industry. We encourage innovation and offer professional development opportunities to help staff sharpen and expand their skills. Approximately 61 percent of SWIB’s investment professionals are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholders.

About the Team

The Finance Division (Finance) serves the entire organization and is under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer. Finance is responsible for several critical functions at SWIB and comprises five teams: Finance Operations, Accounting, & Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis, Vendor Engagement & Oversight, Performance, and Operational, Financing, & Counterparty Risk.

Finance Operations, Accounting and Reporting (FOAR) is responsible for overseeing SWIB’s general ledger, payroll processing, accounts payable, fund administration, financial reporting, and business travel. The team also manages SWIB’s budget, providing focus and oversight over SWIB’s internal costs. FOAR leverages financial data to support activities directly impacting SWIB’s performance results, including budgeting, cost benchmarking, and cost allocation. The team also is responsible for oversight of the Accounting Book of Record (ABOR), financial reporting, and accounting for a diverse set of complex multi-asset investment strategies.

Position Overview

The Fund Administration Manager reports to the FOAR Director and is responsible for the completeness, accuracy, valuation, and presentation of the trust funds’ official books and records. The role also ensures compliance with SWIB policies, industry practices, GASB, GAAP, and regulatory standards. This role oversees both internal staff and third parties.

Essential activities:

Collaborate with the FOAR Director to design, implement, and oversee an effective fund administration model spanning portfolios of both public and private investments.
Oversee SWIB’s valuation review process to allow SWIB to determine fair value for assets that are not readily priced by the market. Facilitate the Valuation Working Group, alerting impacted parties to valuation issues and recommending resolution.
Be responsible for the oversight of the ABOR, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable GAAP and GASB guidance. This includes managing the monthly accounting close process and ensuring adequate reconciliations are prepared to ensure data accuracy.
Manage the process to re-open accounting periods by refining and adhering to SWIB’s error correction policies and procedures.
Support SWIB’s relationship with its custodial and administration partners, monitoring key performance metrics and ensuring the accuracy of invoicing.
Oversee the tax reclaim process, working with internal and external resources as needed.
Manage operational support for the State Investment Fund, a short-term investment fund managed by SWIB. This includes oversight of the monthly earnings calculation process and supporting daily cash match & break resolution between ABOR, custody and the Investment Book of Record.
Engage and inspire an experienced team with roles spanning valuation, accounting, and financial reporting.
Help manage SWIB’s relationship with its external financial auditor, the Legislative Audit Bureau.
Provide SWIB’s portfolio management teams with support around spendable cash, as needed.
Document and assess accounting and operational risks in order to ensure an effective control environment.

The ideal candidate:

Has at least 8 years of experience, including at least 3 years leading teams supporting fund administration
Holds a bachelor’s degree focused in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or advanced degree preferred
Has a detailed understanding of fund administration workflows from trading through to accounting and reporting
Can effectively design and implement processes that balance risk mitigation and efficiency
Has experience with insourced, outsourced, and shadowed administration models
Either possesses, or is pursuing, relevant professional designations
Is a self-starter with the ability to nimbly manage competing priorities
Can efficiently consume, distill, and communicate complex issues
Leverages their intellectual curiosity to continually learn and develop their skills
Confidently manages enterprise-level relationships
Is driven by results, but focused on process
Thrives in a project management role and can reliably design and lead large projects
Challenges the status quo when appropriate

SWIB Offers:

Competitive total cash compensation, based on AON (formerly McLagan) industry benchmarks
Comprehensive benefits package
Educational and training opportunities
Tuition reimbursement
Challenging work in a professional environment
Hybrid work environment

The position requires U.S. work authorization.

Pursuant to our Hybrid Remote Work Policy, all staff have the flexibility to work remotely, but are required to have a weekly presence in our offices, the frequency of which is dependent on their distance from office. Staff are not required to reside locally; however, we offer relocation reimbursement to the Dane County area per our policy.

All SWIB employees are subject to SWIB’s Ethics Policy and Personal Trade Approvals Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have limits on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from SWIB’s talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by SWIB’s compliance team.

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