Cascade Asset Management Company ("Cascade") is proud to protect and grow capital in service of Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation Trust in support of their mission-related and philanthropic activities. Mr. Gates and the Foundation Trust are committed to creating a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.
Located in the Seattle area, Cascade applies its fundamental, long-horizon investment approach across asset classes and geographies, primarily through direct investing, as well as through a select group of funds and segregated accounts. Cascade offers the unique blend of being part of a team that manages a multi-billion-dollar portfolio while also working with professionals in a culture that values intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and respect.
Team Description
Sitting within the Investment Operations Department, Trade Operations is a dynamic, energetic, and collaborative group operating as a central hub within the organization. Trade Operations is responsible for timely and accurate processing of all portfolios, securities, and related entity transactions. Specific team functions include cash management, trade confirmation and settlement, portfolio and custody reconciliations, collateral management, corporate actions, and asset transfers.
Position Description
The Trade Operations Analyst is directly responsible for successful execution of day-to-day operations for a global, multi-billion dollar investment portfolio holding a vast array of asset types including equities, OTC and cleared derivatives, fixed income, private equity and real assets, etc. As a result, the Analyst role provides a unique opportunity for diversified learning and a breadth of experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Reconcile cash positions, conducting investigative research with our custodians.
Ensure seamless confirmation and settlement of trade activities with counterparties and custodians, leveraging systems such as Blackrock's Aladdin, CTM, Acadia, and other industry tools.
Validate, confirm, and instruct daily margin call activity related to derivatives and other relevant investment activity.
Interface directly with the trading desk, legal, and other internal/external teams to facilitate issue resolution.
Complete timely new account and market request activities within internal and external systems.
Effectuate changes from corporate or class actions, validating, communicating, and processing updates to systems.
Identify, research, and resolve breaks identified in trade, valuation, and position reconciliation.
Mentor junior staff, facilitating operational excellence and helping foster a culture of continuous learning.
Assess risk associated with key issues and escalate accordingly to management.
Develop and implement training and educational materials for new hires on core responsibilities; participate in knowledge sharing and learning opportunities.
Support the definition, collection, and reporting of operational metrics tied to data quality and operational excellence.
Collaborate on critical initiatives, process improvement roadmaps, and innovative ideas to improve service delivery and standards.
Provide project support in collaboration with other teams.
Skills and Qualifications
3-5 years of financial services or securities experience required, preferably within a middle or back-office investment operations role
Undergraduate degree preferably in finance, accounting, economics or related field; CFA a plus.
Proficiency in Excel required.
Familiarity with SQL and Power BI or similar software, preferred.
Experience using Aladdin system preferred with demonstrated ability to learn new applications/systems quickly.
Proficient understanding of fixed income, equity, Foreign Exchange Market, derivatives, and collateral management.
Able to present ideas and plans clearly, using available resources, in order to foster understanding across a multitude of stakeholders at various seniority levels.
Driven by process efficiencies and system improvement; approaches day-to-day operational data optimization with passion.
Applies statistical and graphical techniques to raw data to discover useful information. Clearly drafts documents, reports, and presentation materials.
Demonstrated understanding of the project management lifecycle.
Possesses a keen eye for details, superlative accuracy, with a no-tolerance approach for data inaccuracy.
Ability to multitask and balances priorities against ambiguity.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Outstanding interpersonal skills with an empathic style, improving partnership and cross-group collaboration skills.
What We Offer
Cascade is committed to paying employees equitably for substantially similar work. A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position is $110,000- to $140,000, with the exact amount driven by several factors including relevant experience, knowledge, education, degree to which a candidate meets the role requirements, and other qualifications. We believe that our employees are the reason for our success, and in recognition of their contributions, eligible employees may participate in a generous annual performance-based discretionary bonus program.
Cascade proudly supports our employees and their families with a comprehensive fully paid benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, long-term disability insurance, and a generous employer match to 401(k) retirement savings contributions. Employees are also eligible for 18 days of paid vacation each year for the first four years of employment, eight paid holidays, up to three floating holidays per year, up to 14 days of sick leave, and generous paid parental and family leave. Our benefits also include several employee wellness programs and mental health resources, a charitable giving match, and reimbursement for fitness, daycare, and/or commuter expenses.
What We Value
Cascade values diversity, equity, and inclusion and is deeply committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants seeking employment. All employment decisions are based on a candidate's or employee's capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran, military, marital status, sensory, physical, or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Questions regarding accommodation requests due to a disability should be directed to Human Resources.
Employment Requirements
Upon hire, you are required to present proof of your eligibility to legally work in the U.S.