Investment Operations Specialist

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF; the Foundation), located in Princeton, N.J., is the largest philanthropy in America dedicated solely to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. In partnership with others, we are working toward a nation that is rooted in equity, compassion, and respect; a nation that provides everyone in America a fair and just opportunity to thrive, no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have. This requires addressing many harmful obstacles to wellbeing, including poverty, powerlessness, and discrimination.

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and collaboration allow our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to enrich our work and strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues. Our efforts to build a Culture of Health and achieve health equity require us to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Part of this work includes actively shaping a multicultural, inclusive, antiracist organization where all staff thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. The Foundation offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.

About This Opportunity

Reporting to the managing director, Investment Operations, the Investment Operations specialist is responsible for information management and reporting activities, validation of investment fund valuations and returns, as well as preparing compliance and audit reports. 

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, investment specialists are expected to demonstrate experience and a commitment to equity, and to the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Communications

• Serve as main point of contact for Investment Operations, managing requests and questions from investment managers, administrators, and custodial banks.
  • Monitor the inbox and information management process for fund investments. Maintain document tracker for public and private investment accounts, review daily flow of email, and serve as main point of systems contact to troubleshoot inquiries on document retrieval, portal login issues, and training.
    
  • Liaise with custodian bank and third-party providers related to service and operational issues.
    
  • Respond to capital calls or distribution wire instruction confirmation requests from investment managers or administrators.

Investment Operations Process Management/Coordination

• Provide primary support and partnership to Investment Operations in managing a body of work, ensuring tasks, projects, and requests are managed accurately and efficiently, including, but not limited to:
  • Fund redemption: Prepare and send out redemption letters or forms in collaboration with the law unit; follow the process to completion, which includes confirming wire instructions and tracking the incoming proceeds.
    
  • Reconciliation and payment of quarterly management fees for separately managed accounts.
• Participate in the onboarding process for all new investments.
• Recommend technology solutions to enhance automation and efficiencies in Investment Operations functions, improve data controls, data integrity and reconciliations.
  
• Work closely with Investment Operations analyst in validation process of fund valuations and returns provided by custodian bank along with the distribution of reports. 
• Provide backup support in the collection and analysis of quarterly/annual investment management fees and incentives for public and private funds.
  

Reporting

• Prepare, analyze, and distribute various Investment Operations reports on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, such as:
  • Compliance reporting for U.S. Department of Treasury.
    
  • SEC reporting in collaboration with the law unit.
    
  • Weekly asset allocation report for internal and external stakeholders.
    
  • Data for governance reports for quarterly Investment Committee meetings and monthly pipeline report.
    
• Work with director, Investment Accounting, Reporting and Tax, on review, analysis, and update of annual audit deliverables. Validate manager returns calculated by the custodian and distribute daily preliminary performance and final monthly performance report. Manage the monthly hedge fund valuation validation process for monthly accounting close.
  

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Experience working in and fostering an inclusive environment working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
  
• Minimum of three (3) years related experience. Investment Operations experience preferred.
  
• Adept writing and editing skills, able to efficiently and effectively draft, e.g., correspondence, presentations, memos.
  
• Strong technology skills; Microsoft 365 experience. Able to quickly learn and operate various software, apps, and programs.
  
• Clear communicator with a talent for providing outstanding customer service. Able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, consultants, and others who contribute to investment activity and operations.
  
• Solution-focused; can make decisions and clearly justify recommendations.
  
• Intellectually curious, finding solutions through internet research, and apply learnings to work.
• Function well with minimal supervision and deliver quality outcomes under pressure and deadlines. Attention to detail.
• Work independently, as well as collaboratively as part of a small team.
• Strong analytical background; high attention to detail.
• Experience handling multiple priorities effectively; must be adept at organizing time efficiently; high tolerance for and ability to respond to change and ambiguity; ability to understand and work effectively with team members in the Investment department and throughout the Foundation’s organizational structure.
• Ability to manage complex processes that cross organizational lines.
• Occasional overtime or travel may be required.
  
• A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The Investment Operations specialist will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. The specialist will be required to attend meetings, potentially both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This position is assigned to our Princeton, N.J. headquarters offices.

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a Hybrid: Flexible Purpose operating model. All RWJF employees will be required to come into Foundation offices during the year for purposes related to their position such as critical tasks (e.g., building operations, grantee meetings), organizational events (e.g., training and development), and internally focused team activities. All RWJF offices remain open for all Foundation employees for focused work, optional organizational activities, and connecting with colleagues informally as needed for individual purposes.

Salary

The starting salary range for the Investment Operations specialist is $70,000 to $75,000. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

Application Deadline: August 6, 2023

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented applicants.