Head of Financial Operations – UK

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CBRE Investment Management is a leading global real assets investment management firm with US$142.5 billion of AUM and operating in more than 30 offices and 20 countries around the world. Through its investor-operator culture, the firm seeks to deliver sustainable investment solutions across real assets categories, geographies, risk profiles, and execution formats so that its clients, people, and communities thrive. CBRE Investment Management is an independently operated affiliate of CBRE Group, Inc., the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm.

Across the EMEA region, CBRE Investment Management manages $41.9bn of direct real estate assets, with the UK representing $13.3bn of AUM. We are seeking to recruit a Head of Financial Operations - UK into our London-based team. The successful candidate will be team-oriented and self-motivated with a diligent approach, excellent relevant technical knowledge, good communication skills, and a proven ability to manage people.

We are seeking an experienced real estate finance professional who can further enhance our existing team and be a best-in-class program finance lead. Reporting into and working closely with the CFO - EMEA Direct, APAC Direct & Global Indirect, the role is an exciting opportunity for the candidate to take a leading role in all financial and operational aspects for our established UK Fund products and Separate Account mandates.

Role:

Working as "Head of Financial Operations - UK" you will lead and develop a team of qualified fund controllers, fund accountants, and junior support staff (6 direct reports), all based in London, with overall responsibility for reporting, operational aspects, structuring, financial and regulatory management for 3 UK Funds and 35 Separate Account mandates. The funds in scope are currently established regulated open-ended PAIFs. The Separate Account mandates are a mix of institutional investors, primarily pension funds, including local authority clients.

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting & Governance

• Overall responsibility for the delivery of all required reporting for the UK Funds & Separate Accounts, both in terms of quality and adherence to deadlines;
• Ensuring consistent best practice financial management, tax planning, legal and regulatory compliance for products, ensuring segregation of duties and a suitable controls framework across the region;
• Overseeing the ISAE 3402 framework and financial operations related aspects;
• Play a strategic role in the selection of the accounting/reporting systems and development of technology solutions to improve efficiency and reduce risk;
• Remain current with changing environment/regulations, responsible for impact on funds and client accounts;
• Serve as a non-executive director for UK investment entities;
• Voting member of the AIFM Valuation Committee.

Product Architecture

• Lead in the setup of new Fund / Mandate structures from a tax and operational perspective, including contributing and sign off on documentation language and terms;
• Play a role in capital raising, including review of RFPs and participation in investor pitches and due diligence meetings;
• Manage relationships with tax and legal advisors.

Team Management

• Leading and developing the UK Financial Operations team located in London;
• Responsible for planning and monitoring of resourcing levels, recruitment of new staff, performance appraisals for team members and the long-term training and development of individuals;
• Act as mentor and coach and lead by example with model behaviors consistent with the company's values.

Other

• Be the key finance partner to the UK CIO, Fund Managers & Client Solutions;
• Client facing with frequent interactions with investors during the lifetime of the Funds;
• Work with other internal teams in handling special requirements or projects, including alignment of processes with other regions and business lines;
• Managing relationships and negotiation of fees with external service providers, including tax and legal advisors, depositaries, fund administrators, and auditors.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree educated with a minimum of 10 years accounting experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required;
• Chartered/Certified Accountant with a minimum of 7 years PQE;
• Prior experience in real estate/investment management essential, ideally as a Senior Fund Controller, Head of Fund Finance or equivalent;
• Experience/knowledge in UK fund and investment structures desirable;
• Proven at managing and developing teams;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, combined with a professional and engaging manner;
• High level of self-motivation and willingness to take responsibility and work independently;
• Performance-oriented as well as hands-on mentality.

We are an inclusive employer and consider diversity to be critical to innovation. People are our greatest resource, and we encourage applicants who partially fit the above criteria to apply if they feel the posting has not captured their relevant strengths. #CBREIM