Assistant Vice President, Reporting and Analytics

About Oak Pension Asset Management Limited (OPAM)

Oak Pension Asset Management Limited (OPAM) serves as the primary investment manager for the Barclays Bank UK Retirement Fund (UKRF), one of the UK's top-10 pension schemes by assets. As an in-house, FCA-regulated entity, OPAM is dedicated to managing the UKRF's assets on behalf of the Trustee Board.

The Opportunity: Assistant Vice President, Reporting and Analytics

OPAM is seeking a skilled Assistant Vice President, Reporting and Analytics to join its team. This pivotal role is centered on managing and developing OPAM’s comprehensive risk management and reporting functions for both internal and external stakeholders. You will be instrumental in supporting UKRF by addressing critical portfolio management and regulatory reporting needs, with a particular emphasis on Liquidity & Cashflow Management, Risk, and Performance analytics. This position requires robust collaboration across OPAM and with various stakeholders to continuously enhance analytics and reporting, ensuring alignment with evolving industry standards. The successful candidate will gain significant exposure to all UKRF asset classes and strategies, actively participating in risk, analytics, and reporting activities, investment strategy, transactions, and operational processes within the broader OPAM Team.

Key Responsibilities of the Assistant Vice President, Reporting and Analytics

• Collaborate with OPAM’s Head of Liquidity & Cashflow Management to refine cashflow-modelling tools, specifically focusing on UKRF liabilities.
• Ensure and maintain data accuracy within the portfolio and risk systems.
• Review critical valuation and modelling assumptions for the Private (illiquid) portfolio.
• Regularly update and enhance analytics frameworks and metrics.
• Periodically assess model assumptions and outputs to confirm ongoing relevance and accuracy.
• Support the day-to-day operations of OPAM’s Risk, Reporting & Analytics team, including data reconciliation, report development, and production.

Required Experience and Skills

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel or similar tools (VBA experience preferred) and experience handling large datasets.
• Demonstrated interest in financial markets, with exposure to asset management, particularly regarding reporting, risk, and portfolio construction.
• Understanding of the nature and modelling of liabilities specific to a UK DB Pension Fund and the implications of underlying assumptions.
• Proven collaboration and stakeholder management skills, capable of engaging with the OPAM team, Barclays, the Trustee Board, and external strategic partners.
• Good grasp of key elements and considerations for investment performance, risk, liquidity, and ESG reporting.

Highly Valued Skills

• Experience with front office portfolio systems (e.g., Aladdin).
• Understanding of fundamental actuarial concepts.
• Knowledge of database systems (e.g., Excel, Access).
• Proficiency in Python or other programming languages.
• Experience in system (model / EUDA) development, including UAT and model review.
• Quantitative ability with strong analytical skills and experience with risk management & reporting systems (e.g., Aladdin, MSCI ESG manager).

Assessment Focus Areas

Candidates may be assessed on critical skills relevant for success, including risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen, strategic thinking, digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

Purpose of the Role

To provide portfolio management and structuring capabilities, implementing investment solutions for client transactions within funds or other bespoke structures.

Accountabilities

• Develop and implement investment management strategies, considering market conditions, risk tolerance, and investment objectives.
• Manage and monitor investment portfolios in alignment with objectives, including asset allocation decisions to optimize returns and minimize risks.
• Contribute to new product design and origination pipeline through market research, client demand assessment, and collaboration with sales, structuring, and specialist teams.
• Partner with other Markets Sales and Distribution teams to define pipeline activity for raising assets in existing funds.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

As an Assistant Vice President, you will be expected to advise and influence decision-making, contribute to policy development, and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. This role requires close collaboration with other functions and business divisions. For individual contributors, this involves leading collaborative assignments, guiding team members, identifying needs for specialized input, and driving new directions for projects by combining cross-functional methodologies. You will consult on complex issues, provide advice to People Leaders, identify risk mitigation strategies, and strengthen controls. Ownership of risk management and control enhancement is key. The role requires understanding how different areas coordinate to achieve organizational objectives, collaborating with business-aligned support, engaging in complex data analysis from various sources to solve problems creatively, and communicating complex or sensitive information effectively to influence stakeholders.

Barclays Values and Mindset

All colleagues are expected to embody Barclays Values: Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship. Additionally, they will demonstrate the Barclays Mindset: Empower, Challenge, and Drive, acting as an operational guide for conduct.

Key skills/competency

• Risk Management
• Financial Analytics
• Portfolio Reporting
• Cashflow Modelling
• Data Accuracy
• Stakeholder Management
• Excel VBA
• Asset Management
• Pension Liabilities
• Regulatory Reporting