Head of Finance/Back-Office Technology - SGA Inc.

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is seeking a Head of Finance/Back-Office Technology for a full-time assignment with one of our premier Financial Services clients in mid-town NYC. He or she must be in the office 2-3 days/week.

The Director of IT will play a pivotal role in driving and executing strategic projects across the firm's Finance and Back-office technology including Accounting applications, Fund Administrator integrations, Daily, Monthly and Quarterly data integrations, and portfolio management applications. This individual will bring deep expertise in technology relevant to the asset management industry and broad program management capabilities to lead functional objectives and deliver high-impact results


Role and Responsibilities

Asset management thought leadership

• Provide insights into asset management business operations, data flow, and use cases for capturing efficiencies
• Collaborate with key stakeholders, including portfolio managers, traders, analysts, and technology teams, to define project objectives, scope, and success criteria.

Business relationship management

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, providing regular updates on project status, risks, and potential impacts on the investment portfolio
• Collaborate with senior management to align project objectives with overall hedge fund strategies and goals
• Work closely with quantitative development leads and architects on common solutions
• Act as a liaison between business units and technology teams, fostering effective communication and understanding

Data and Technology Strategy

• Bolster awareness of industry technology and market trends to benchmark, assess, and calibrate solutions delivered to the business.
• Ensure 3rd-party fund administration data is made available to in-house applications.
• Manage and maximize value from business unit technology
• Gain a clear understanding of operations and organizational structures that best suit the firm's evolving business goals and needs
• Develop and implement data management strategies to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and security.
• Oversee data integration, warehousing, and reporting solutions to support business intelligence and analytics.
• Ensure compliance with data governance policies and regulatory requirements.

Project planning, budget, and resource management

• Oversee migration of internal fund administration software to 3rd party Fund Administrator.
• Oversee project budgets and resource allocations, ensuring efficient use of financial and people resources
• Facilitate Agile project planning sessions, backlog grooming, and sprint planning to foster collaboration and transparency
• Monitor project expenditures and make recommendations to optimize costs while maintaining project quality

Agile methodology implementation

• Champion Agile practices and methodologies across the organization, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability
• Facilitate daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives to enhance team performance and identify areas for optimization
• Work closely with Agile teams to remove impediments, address conflicts, and ensure timely delivery of project milestones

Vendor management

• Maintain relationships with vendors/partners responsible for delivery of technology solutions and services
• Skilled in contract negotiation, creating standards for the vendors' operations

Primary responsibilities estimated allocation percentage:

• 25% strategic roadmap alignment and implementation
• 25% stakeholder and business relationship management
• 25% data integration and solution design
• 25% project, vendor, and resource management

Required Skills

• 10+ years of experience in Financial Services (preferably at an asset manager) managing development teams, data platforms, and fund administrator or other vendor integrations.
• Strong experience in Asset Management/Investment Management specifically managing a portfolio of technology-relevant projects
• Extensive experience with finance and back-office functions within asset management, including trade processing, portfolio accounting, fund accounting, compliance, and reporting
• Proven experience delivering technology initiatives and managing teams of application development resources and vendors.
• Proven track record of experience leading technology initiatives and automation projects within the back-office area.
• Knowledge of fund accounting systems and processes.
• Experience with asset management software and platforms that support finance and back-office functions
• Proficient in project management tools and systems; an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Expert in the practical application of Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, etc.); SCRUM, Safe, or other Agile certification preferred.
• Demonstrated success in improving SDLC, DevOps adoption, and technology modernization projects.
• Familiarity with cloud computing, preferably AWS
• Expertise in data management, including data integration, warehousing, and reporting.
• Thoughtful and collaborative team leader with excellent communication skills
• Highly motivated individual who can operate in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and learn and implement new technologies.
• An innate ability to prioritize tasks effectively and adapt to evolving objectives; outcome-driven mindset to achieve business goals and deliver key results.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, computer science, or related discipline; master's degree a plus

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at https://sgainc.com/ .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company EEO page to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy.