Alcentra is owned by Franklin Templeton, a dynamic firm that spans asset management, wealth management, and fintech, giving us many ways to help investors make progress toward their goals. With clients in over 150 countries and offices on six continents, you’ll get exposed to different cultures, people, and business development happening around the world.

Alcentra operates independently as a Specialist Investment Manager and is headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Boston, Tokyo and Hong Kong. We are a leading, global asset management firm specializing in the sub-investment grade debt markets, experts in credit management, private credit, and structured credit strategies.  Our investors include pension funds, insurance companies, government agencies, banks, wealth managers and high net worth individuals.

Visit www.alcentra.com to learn more who we are. 

Alcentra, recently acquired by Benefit Street Partners ("BSP"), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. that, together with its various subsidiaries, operates as Franklin Templeton. The BSP/Alcentra combined organization is a leading credit-focused alternative asset management firm with approximately $77 billion in assets under management. Established in 2008, the BSP platform manages funds for institutions, high-net-worth and retail investors across various strategies including: private/opportunistic debt, liquid loans, high yield, special situations, long-short liquid credit and commercial real estate debt. Established in 2002, the Alcentra platform manages funds for institutions, high-net-worth and retail investors with a focus on the sub-investment grade debt capital markets in Europe and the U.S. Their objective is to deliver strong, risk-adjusted returns that are less correlated, through a complementary suite of traditional and alternative credit strategies. In pursuing this objective, their investment strategy and approach to credit selection are based on intensive fundamental research and credit analysis, combined with active portfolio management to minimize credit losses. 

What is the Operational Risk Manager responsible for?

• The role sits within a small team in a dynamic entrepreneurial investment management firm.

• The purpose of the role is to work directly with the Head of Operational Risk in running the Alcentra Operational Risk Framework. Given the small team size, the successful candidate will be required to individually own key components of the framework and work proactively with colleagues across the business to complete required deliverables.

• The team’s remit is to ensure the firm is compliant with its regulatory requirements in respect of operational risk, and to constructively add value to operational processes and controls. The successful candidate will need to apply commercial judgement to ensure that recommendations made to the business are proportionate to risk levels and harms that could arise.

• The successful candidate will be an integral member of the department, and will have the opportunity to deliver both as part of a team and also individually.

• The Operational Risk team report into the Alcentra Head of Risk & Compliance. Operational Risk work closely with departments across the business including: Compliance; Investment Risk; Finance; Operations; AML/KYC; Portfolio Management; Trading; IT; Business Development; Product; Investment Structuring & Fund Formation; Credit Research and others.

• This role is a great opportunity for a candidate looking to gain experience across the full Operational Risk Framework, as well as getting involved in broader risk initiatives and projects. Your work will be meaningful and visible within the company. There is significant responsibility from day one.

• The successful candidate will be required to work London hours to align with the Alcentra Limited business. There is a requirement for employees to be present in the office Tuesday through Thursday, with occasional Mondays also.

What are the ongoing responsibilities of the Operational Risk Manager?

• Conducting controls testing reviews on the most material operational risks facing the company. Documenting process flows on critical processes.

• Participating in the annual refresh of the firm’s RCSA. Initially the successful candidate will be project managing the RCSA refresh. This involves organising workshops; preparing materials; and documenting changes to risks and controls as discussed in the meetings. Over time there is the opportunity to host workshops also.

• Collating KRI reporting and commentary monthly. Raising appropriate queries to KRI providers for metrics trending outside of risk appetite.

• Monitoring the open action items tracked within the RCSA, and working with action owners to ensure they are closed timely.

• Providing RfP / DDQ responses to the client facing teams on Operational Risk topics.

• Documenting and remediating errors. This includes conducting root cause analysis, agreeing control improvements (where applicable) and conducting error closure validation.

• Contributing to the Strategic & Emerging Risk Assessment.

• Periodic update of Operational Risk team procedures and policies as required.

• Acting constructively and with a solutions-focussed mindset to the business on topics of Operational Risk both in terms of BAU and also on projects undertaken by the business.

• Other tasks and initiatives as may be required by Senior Management.

What ideal qualifications, skills & experience would help someone to be successful?

• Operational risk, internal audit, or similar background within an investment manager is essential.

• Experience of working within a boutique investment manager is advantageous.

• Proven experience in building controls testing plans and conducting controls testing reviews is highly desirable.

• Process mapping ability.

• Experience of running components of an operational risk framework independently.

• Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to work efficiently and with credibility.

• Well-organised. Able to proactively manage and prioritise their workload.

• Clear and precise verbal and written communication skills with the ability engage with various professionals and teams of all seniorities across the company.

• Logical approach to problem solving, including possessing the commercial acumen to ensure recommendations made to the business are proportionate to the level of risk being mitigated.

• Naturally high attention to detail and strong critical thinking / analytical skills.

• Intermediate skills in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.

Work Shift Timings - 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM IST