Transition Manager

Position Purpose

The Transitions Manager will be responsible for the successful delivery and integration of existing client restructures, closures, new business or complex transitions/operating models including obtaining an overall understanding of the client needs, planning, execution and implementation into the BNP business units.

The role would suit someone with extensive market knowledge and experience, with a strong understanding of third party investment manager, client and custodian requirements. Fund accounting (and preferably HiPort) experience would also be highly beneficial.

Commitment, engagement and collaboration with a good understanding of project management principles are required to deliver a professional service, in a quality manner by building and maintaining a continuous service program that supports the business and enhances its responsiveness whilst protecting our existing business requirements through effective scope management.

Deployment of effective transition solutions and services and efficient operations requires well-developed strategies, architectures, technology standards, plans and execution capability that align with the overall BNP Paribas business strategy.

Purpose of Department

BAU Transitions (BAUT) covers implementation management of client transition and restructure requests, requiring a solid understanding of Stakeholder Management by applying project management principles combined with an agreed communication and governance framework.

The core product areas covered by BAUT are: Client Delivery (encompassing all administrative and custody services to Clients), plus cross product deals, eg Foreign Exchange, Collateral or Treasury services. The types of events managed by the BAUT Team include:

• New fund launches
• Portfolio re-constructions
• Fund mergers & Fund restructures (incl manager appointments and terminations)
• Assisting with new client onboarding & client offboarding
• Implementation of new BNPP approved and established service or operating models for clients
• Transition work streams on major projects

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• End to end coordination and project management of transition and fund restructure activities.
• Facilitation and co-ordination of business units, appropriating required information and requirements for comprehensive planning and scheduling to successfully complete Client transition / restructure activity.
• Liaise with and co-ordinate custodians, investment managers and other external stakeholders to ensure smooth and timely completion of Client transitions and restructures.
• Ensure appropriate levels of governance are applied to all implementation activities.
• Undertake and / or oversee appropriate transition execution monitoring and checking.
• Facilitate information provision to external stakeholders to help ensure no additional risk to the management of Client assets during the transition period, e.g. data provision to Portfolio Managers.
• Attend client, consultant and custodian meetings and calls and where necessary initiate and lead them.
• Undertake appropriate tracking and governance of transition operational tasks and issues, e.g. corporate actions and income monitoring, asset transfer settlements, as well as all time-lined actions and tasks to ensure all required activities are completed.
• Maintain required transition records for reporting and audit trail purposes.
• Ensure full, transparent and appropriate communication to and from all stakeholders throughout the transition / restructure life cycle.
• Adhere to appropriate escalation processes to escalate, for example, resource issues, delayed project phases, missed deadlines and other planning issues.
• Undertake Post-Implementation Reviews as required to determine and document learnings and issues to ensure continuous improvement of the implementation function and execution.
• Deliver all Implementation projects and programmes in line with recognised best practice methodology (managing risk, governance, quality assurance, issue resolution, reporting and communication) and inline with BNPP’s BAU Transitions Framework.
• Contribute to establishing and implementing sound project methodology and continuous improvement within the Business Implementation area.
• Contribute to efficiency improvements (i.e. process and control improvements, reduction in errors) without impacting negatively on service, brand and therefore shareholder value.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships across a large set of diverse business units both internal and external i.e. All teams within Middle Office, Fund Accounting, UUT, Registry, Performance, Custody and MFS (depending on product coverage of the implementation), Client Service Managers, Legal, Credit, Product, Audit, Compliance, Risk, IT, Regulators, Custodians, Trustees, Fund Managers, etc.

Technical Experience

• Good working knowledge of custody investment administration business and financial services sector, including asset management and Superannuation Funds
• Possess strong, demonstratable implementation / project management skills
• Flexible approach to work, as implementation can occur outside of normal business hours.
• Strong team player, going the extra mile
• Strong leadership to set the team mission and maximise team members potential
• Strong accounting knowledge highly beneficial; beneficial to have Hiport experience

Competencies (Technical / Behavioural)

Communication (Verbal & Written): Expresses ideas effectively in a clear, concise and open manner appropriate for both individual and group situations. Listens effectively and identifies / responds to subtle verbal and non-verbal cues from others. Communicates effectively in written form.

Leadership: Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals in a manner that provides clarity and direction and fosters collaboration.

Develops & Maintain Relationships: Builds and maintains mutually beneficial, collaborative relationships with business partners and stakeholders based on BNP’s values. Demonstrate strong negotiation and influencing skills.

Decision Making: Decides on and commits to a course of action in a timely manner having sought and evaluated a range of alternatives from knowledge, experience and insights, taking into consideration resources, constraints, ethics and organisational values.

Strategic and Solutions Focus - The ability to consider competing conceptual or real elements and factors in finding solutions, to think laterally and to focus on potential outcomes before determining the best course.

Resilience: Continues to work effectively and pursue goals when faced with obstacles, periods of change and uncertainty, or resistance from others. Maintains effectiveness in uncertain or ambiguous situations.

Time Management and Multitasking: Be able to multitask and manage many implementation projects simultaneously and adapt and deal with significant time pressures and prioritization conflicts.

Proactive and self-starting: Doesn’t require micro-managing and is proactive in obtaining, initiating and undertaking all relevant scope and project requirements

Specific Qualifications Required

• Approximately 8+ years in Financial Services, with specific technical knowledge of fund accounting and unit pricing, investment administration, custody operations.
• Preferred 3+ years in a direct Implementation / Transition Management or similar role, with a proven track record.
• Demonstrated capability in project / implementation management (either as an SME or full planning capacity), sound analytical ability and strong stakeholder management.
• Degree qualified in Business, Accounting or a related discipline; or substantial industry experience in a like role.
• MS Office suite proficiency: Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint

About BNP PARIBAS

As the leading European Union bank, and one of the world’s largest financial institutions with an uninterrupted presence in the region since 1860, BNP Paribas offers a wide range of financial services for corporate, institutional and private investors spanning corporate and institutional banking, wealth management, asset management and insurance.

We passionately embrace diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and encourage applicants of all backgrounds, including diversity of origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion applicants who may be living with a disability. We have a number of internal employee networks in place to empower our staff to act and challenge the status quo.

BNP Paribas PRIDE is highly active in favour of the LGBTQIA+ community

BNP Paribas MixCity which fosters better representation of women at all levels of the organization

Ability, the mutual aid network for employees with a disability or a disabling or chronic illness

BNP Paribas CulturAll which celebrates diverse backgrounds

BNP is committed to financing a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The Group is a founding member of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance and has set up its own Low Carbon Transition Group to support its clients through their energy transitions.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please feel free to reach out to us at [1] bnpp.hrss.recruitment.admin@asia.bnpparibas.com or +61 2 9216 8633 (and ask for the Talent Acquisition Manager in the HR Team).

[2] https://careers.apac.bnpparibas/