"Investment Operations Specialist"

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.

The Investments Office is responsible for the day-to-day management of Wesleyan University's endowment. The primary objective of the endowment is to provide enduring support for the University’s academic mission by generating a sustainable and reliable flow of funds to the operating budget. This, in turn, enhances Wesleyan’s long-term financial stability and supports excellence in its programs, personnel, and facilities.

Reporting to the Director of Operations and Investments, the Investment Operations Specialist will work alongside an eight-person investment team overseeing a $1.6 billion endowment. This individual will play a key role in supporting the operational, reporting, and analytical functions of a diversified, multi-asset class investment portfolio.

The position will collaborate closely with external service providers and internal stakeholders to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of accounting reconciliation, cash management, portfolio reporting, and document administration.

Responsibilities Include:

• Perform daily reconciliations of cash and securities transactions with banking and brokerage partners.
• Conduct monthly reconciliations of valuations and unfunded capital commitments with investment managers and third-party administrators to ensure data accuracy and compliance with internal policies.
• Verify banking instructions with investment partners and administrators prior to wire transfers.
• Monitor and forecast cash flows across a diverse portfolio of global marketable and private equity funds to support effective cash management and liquidity planning.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to provide required documentation, maintain audit readiness, and support tax-related queries and filings.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors to address and resolve outstanding issues.
• Manage and maintain investment-related documentation, including financial statements, tax documents, and legal notices, ensuring organized and compliant recordkeeping.
• Assist with onboarding processes and compliance requirements in various legal jurisdictions, including anti-money laundering procedures and maintaining authorized signatory lists.
• Develop and maintain custom and standard investment benchmarks.
• Meet critical deadlines and contribute to special projects such as custom report creation, data tracking, process development, and other assignments as needed.
• Participate in operational due diligence of both prospective and existing external investment managers.
• Continuously seek opportunities for professional development.
• Proactively contribute ideas to improve operational processes and identify opportunities for greater efficiency and accuracy.

This position is open to the consideration of a hybrid work schedule. Hybrid work is only considered for residents of MA, VT, NH, ME, CT, RI, or NY. (Relocation assistance to CT is available for those who qualify).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of two years’ experience in investment operations, finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field – or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant work experience.
• Familiarity with various investment strategies and asset classes.
• Demonstrated ability to work with large datasets, extract meaningful insights, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Strong numerical aptitude and acute attention to detail, with a commitment to meeting time-sensitive deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, complex formulas, and financial data analysis for robust reporting.
• Basic understanding or exposure to partnership and corporate-level tax reporting.
• Ability to synthesize complex data and communicate key findings through clear, visually engaging PowerPoint presentations.
• Basic understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting standards.
• Effective communication skills, with a collaborative and team-oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting a mission-driven organization.
• High ethical standards with strict adherence to conflict-of-interest policies and confidentiality requirements.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a diverse environment and engage respectfully with individuals from varied backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four or more years of experience in financial services or investment operations, preferably within a global fund administrator, endowment, or foundation.
• Strong interest in financial services and investment operations, with a demonstrated commitment to professional growth in the field.
• Solid understanding of key investment accounting principles and how they apply across various asset classes.
• Experience with data tools and programming languages such as VBA, SQL, and/or Power BI.
• Proven ability to proactively identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies in large datasets, with a focus on process improvement and operational innovation.
• Familiarity with investment management software platforms such as Bloomberg, Morningstar Direct, Caissa, and Advent Tamale.

Position is open until filled. For full consideration please apply by September 8, 2025 when first review of applications will begin.

All applications should include a cover letter that addresses the below questions:

• Why are you interested in this role at Wesleyan University?
• What tools and technologies have you used for data analysis and reporting?
• Briefly describe your ideal working environment and professional goals.

Compensation: $60,000-$90,000

Work Location: On Campus

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html.

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html.

Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html.