Specialist - Investment & Trade Operations

The Collateral Management team operates within Brandywine s Trading Operations department and assumes primary ownership of collateral management, including systems setup and maintenance for collateral agreements.

The Collateral Specialist is responsible for mitigation of counterparty risk through the daily exchange of collateral and margin with counterparties and derivative clearing entities. This individual is expected to coordinate this process end-to-end, from the reconciliation of collateral balances and exposures, to the settlement of collateral at the custodian. This includes interacting with counterparties to negotiate collateral using BGIM s collateral management system. In addition, the Collateral Specialist will be involved in troubleshooting settlement failures, adjusting entries into the accounting system, investigating claims, and settling monthly interest payments.

While this position is primarily involved with collateral management and related activities, the Collateral Specialist may also get involved in the other functions of the team, such as Complex Instruments trade processing, ad hoc requests from auditors or other internal or external partners.

This position requires an individual who possesses the personal attributes and the professional experience consistent with the Firm s high standards of conduct and performance. In performing the job, the individual must demonstrate behaviors consistent with the company core values including:

Demonstrates values and ethics aligned to BGIM and is looked to for guidance on standards and norms

Follows through on commitments

Viewed as direct and truthful

Shows consistency between words and actions

Keeps confidences

Feels a sense of personal responsibility in seeing tasks to completion

Works and thinks like a team member - owns their responsibilities while also considering the enterprise impact

Takes personal accountability for decisions, actions and outcomes.

Takes an active role in managing their own career development

Introduces new ways of looking at problems

Experiments and finds new solutions

Has the courage to push back and ask questions that advance the group s thinking

Uses compelling arguments in representing own interests while actively seeking to understand different perspectives

Steps up to address difficult issues, says what needs to be said

Champions an idea or position despite dissent or political risk

Relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people. This includes diversity in the broadest sense - diversity of thought and functional expertise in addition to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation.

Builds effective formal and informal relationships inside and outside the organization - including co-workers, clients, vendors and parent company, Legg Mason.

Draws upon multiple relationships to exchange ideas, resources and know-how

Embraces the spirit of collegiality, mutual respect and teamwork

Prioritizes business needs with an understanding personal realities.

Understands and considers competing agendas and priorities within the firm when making decisions

Oversee the collateral management process using BGIM s collateral management system

Reconciliation of collateral balances and/or derivative exposures using BGIM s reconciliation platform

Settlement confirmation of collateral/margin calls and related interest payments

Production of operational metrics related to transaction volumes and/or risk indicators

Involvement with enhancement projects, as needed

Communicate with internal and external teams (reconciliation, brokers, and custodian teams) regarding any inquires related collateral/ interest movements.

Additional functions covered by the team, include:

Reconciliation of positions and market exposures to counterparties

Complex Instruments trade confirmation and processing, including FX, Futures, Swaps, Options, Term/Bank Loans.

Professionalism and a strong sense of accountability

Impeccable attention to detail with the ability to see the big picture

Strong verbal and written communications skills at all levels: courteous, effective and professional; authoritative and diplomatic

Ability to multi-task independently in a busy and demanding environment amid significant organizational growth and change

Aptitude to exercise initiative and to define and resolve problems; think outside the box

Clear understanding of industry terminology and Fixed Income products

Strong organizational skills with excellent follow-up discipline

Ability to interpret and understand legal contracts to ensure proper data is captured in relevant systems

Knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office products

Knowledge and proficiency of Duco, TriOptima, Acadiasoft, Collateral Manager/Cloud Margin or SharePoint a plus

Acadiasoft (Agreement Manager, Margin Manager, Collateral Manager, IM Threshold Monitor).

DUCO (reconciliation platform).

Microsoft Outlook for communication. Also, the rest of the Office Programs.

Special project and systems based initiatives as appropriate

BCP Planning and DR Testing, which may include weekend or after hour remote access and participation. Access to personal computer and internet access is required.

Other duties as assigned

Bachelor s degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance, or related business discipline

3-5 years of experience in the financial services industry; preferably in an operational position.

Familiarity with collateral management and/or derivatives

This position requires an individual who possesses the personal attributes and the professional experience consistent with the Firm s high standards of conduct and performance. In performing the job, the individual must: (i) always act in the best interests of clients, (ii) continuously evaluate and escalate areas of risk to the Firm, (iii) work cohesively and effectively with people across all functions, and (iv) comply with all Firm policies and procedures. Accordingly, it is expected that the individual is of high moral character, well-organized and self-directed, with strong personal skills and an ability to execute work objectives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.