Operational Due Diligence Associate

SUMMARY

As a member of the Firm’s Operational Due Diligence and Valuation teams, this individual will primarily be responsible for 1) assessing whether an investment is within the parameters of the Firm’s operational due diligence underwriting standards; 2) monitoring investments on an ongoing basis from an operational risk perspective; and 3) coordinating the financial reporting valuation across the Firm’s investment strategies.

As an onsite/hybrid employee, you are expected to be in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well as a third day in coordination with your manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES           

The individual will be involved in the following critical activities:

• Identify, analyze, and document risks associated with the operations (people, process, and technology) of fund managers and sponsors across GCM Grosvenor’s investment strategies (i.e., absolute returns, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, alternative credit, etc.).
• Evaluate the adequacy and efficacy of the processes and systems used by alternative investment managers to monitor and manage the risks associated with non-investment functions, including finance, compliance, and information technology, among others.
• Develop, implement, and execute ongoing risk mitigation plans that enable GCM Grosvenor to monitor and manage the risks associated with its investments.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of the legal structure and terms of investment vehicles; corroborate that the terms are in alignment with practice through interviews with investment managers.
• Independent review of illiquid securities valuations on a quarterly basis across the entire capital structure including common equity, preferred equity, senior debt, mezzanine debt, and warrants.
• Assist with the coordination, training, and direction of the investment professionals responsible for valuation preparation and preliminary concluded values.
• Execute certain processes surrounding the year end valuation audits, third party valuation reviews, and other various inquiries regarding the Firm’s valuation processes and conclusions.
• Design, participate in, and document results of interviews of senior personnel at underlying managers, administrators, audit firms and other fund service providers, including on-site fieldwork at underlying investment managers.
• Document results of interviews, including risks identified, and make written recommendations to the Operational Due Diligence group and Operations Committee.
• Review and analyze financial statements, regulatory correspondence, manager materials, and other relevant documentation as part of operational due diligence reviews of underlying managers and document findings.
• Review and analyze background investigation reports received from third-party private investigation firms and document findings and GCM Grosvenor action plan.
• Conduct aggregate analyses on the overall Firm portfolios and assist with the preparation of valuation materials for presentation to the various investment and valuation committees.
• Assist with the maintenance and support of the firm’s iLevel cloud-based valuation reporting solution.
• Help manage third-party valuation consultants who assist with the quarterly valuation process as well as work directly with third party valuation specialists.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate will be self-motivated and energized by working amongst a group of thoughtful, intelligent, and driven colleagues. He or she will enjoy being part of an organization focused on excellence and will be a naturally collaborative person who enjoys interacting with individuals at all levels. Additionally, he or she will be a strong team player with a proactive approach and the ability to exercise discretion and judgment.

The ideal experience and critical competencies for the role include the following:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, or other relevant major with outstanding academic credentials is required. A graduate degree and professional accounting and/or financial certification (e.g., CPA, CFA, etc.) are desirable.
• Two to five years of experience, with the following desired exposure: audit, assurance, valuation, or operational risk management services.
• Experience in the alternatives investment management industry, including hedge funds, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure is preferred but not required.
• General working knowledge of key investment management operational functions (e.g., valuation, trading operations, counterparty risk management, safeguarding of cash, regulatory compliance programs, information technology, cybersecurity, etc.).
• Demonstrated self-starter, continuous learner and independent thinker who can work collaboratively with others.
• Excellent writing and listening skills with a proven ability to disseminate information effectively and articulate thoughts in a clear and concise manner to both clients and staff through written correspondence, presentations and/or meetings.
• Attention to detail and concern for quality and accuracy of final product (and ability to balance that concern with deadlines).
• High degree of integrity and the ability to recognize the requirements of confidentiality.
• Outstanding decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel, domestically and internationally.
• Well organized with a strong attention to detail; must have the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a cross-functional team environment.

CULTURE

We are not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. Welcome change. We are a culture of empowerment, accountability, high performance, and trust. Successful team members are self-motivated and energized by working alongside thoughtful and smart colleagues in a fast-paced environment. Individuals who thrive on this team enjoy being a part of an organization focused on excellence. We look for naturally collaborative individuals who enjoy interacting at all levels of the organization. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

A diverse, engaged team is critical to our ability to successfully create and deliver value to our clients. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse professionals can thrive professionally, and we are dedicated to training, retaining, and promoting minorities, women, LGBTQ employees, veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Over 55% of GCM Grosvenor employees and 43% of executive management are women and/or ethnically diverse individuals. In addition, we seek to drive a more diverse, inclusive industry through our partnership with diverse professionals organizations and by consciously working with subcontractors and vendors that are certified as minority-, women-, or persons with disabilities-owned businesses.