US Private Lead, Portfolio Implementation Management

Cambridge Associates

$166K — $222K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BA/BS required; MBA or CFA preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in investment and portfolio operations, with alternative asset servicing expertise.
  • Experience with institutional and private clients, adept at aligning service models with client needs.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and process improvement skills.
  • Exceptional leadership capabilities, with strong judgment and influencing skills.
  • Excellent communication skills for managing complex client and stakeholder interactions.
  • Proven ability to drive strategic change and impact in diverse environments.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the US Private Client PIM function, setting strategic direction and operational standards.
  • Oversee complex portfolio implementation issues as the senior subject matter expert.
  • Enhance processes and policy for trade implementations and service models.
  • Advocate for best practices and drive improvements across operational procedures.
  • Initiate and lead formal projects to strengthen organizational processes and impact.
  • Foster a collaborative team culture focused on growth and continuous improvement.
  • Manage team development through coaching, mentorship, and oversight.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance options.
  • Retirement savings plan with company matching.
  • Annual performance-based bonus eligibility.
  • Professional development opportunities and training programs.
  • Flexible work arrangement options for work-life balance.
Full Job Description

Job Description Summary:

The US Private Client Functional Lead is a senior member of the Global Portfolio Services team. This critical role is a member of both the practice and Portfolio Implementation Management leadership teams, bringing subject matter expertise, strategic oversight, and people leadership to the US Private Client PIM team. The Functional Lead is accountable for defining and advancing standard operating principles, identifying opportunities to enhance the trade implementation platform, service models, and processes, and ensuring the team is positioned to support the evolving needs of the practice and its clients.

The Functional Lead oversees all facets of the US Private Client PIM team, partnering with department, practice, and Human Capital leadership on talent development, staffing, succession planning, and team management. They are expected to operate as the senior subject matter expert on the most complex portfolio implementation and operational matters, independently drive solutions with broad organizational impact, and invest meaningfully in the development of others through coaching, mentorship, and formal management responsibilities. The role requires strong judgment, deep functional expertise, people leadership, and the ability to drive change across a complex stakeholder environment.

Job Description:

Functional Leadership

  • Lead the US Private Client PIM function, setting direction for team priorities, operating practices, execution standards, and service consistency.
  • Serve as the senior subject matter expert and main point of escalation for the most complex, non-standard, and high-risk private client portfolio implementation issues
    • Demonstrate mastery of core middle-office functions and CA applications, with deep understanding of trade management, implementation workflows, and related processes
    • Anticipate issues and advise on complex client nuances, operational requirements, and trade-related complexities
  • Lead process and policy enhancements and identify opportunities to improve the trade implementation platform, service models, and operating procedures
  • Advocate for controls and best practices, challenge the status quo, and independently drive solutions that improve processes and procedures across the platform
  • Lead formal initiatives with Operations and business teams that strengthen processes and deliver broad organizational impact

Leadership and Culture

  • Lead with sound judgement and accountability in complex, high-visibility situations.
  • Create and cultivate a collaborative PIM culture focused on knowledge sharing, consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement
  • Provide management and oversight of practice-level PIM colleagues and lead by example across regions, groups, and functions
    • Demonstrate strong decision-making ability and take ownership for staffing plans, succession planning, and day-to-day management of senior team members
    • Support the development of managers and team members through coaching, mentorship, and formal development support, including newer PIM Directors and adjacent partners
  • Embody and promote CA values while leading change that improves the organization and makes CA a better place to work

Platform Strategy

  • Serve as the primary stakeholder contact on implementation, service offering, and business development needs.
  • Build effective partnerships across regions, groups, and functions to advance team, practice and platform priorities.
  • Communicate portfolio implementation strategies and considerations effectively to clients, prospects, managers, and vendors.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • BA/BS required. An MBA or CFA is strongly preferred
  • 10+ years of related work experience; investment and portfolio operations background required, with alternative asset servicing and experience working with regulated fund vehicles preferred
  • Experience working with institutional and private clients, with the ability to differentiate among service models and align offerings with evolving client needs
  • Demonstrated analytical, organizational, project management, and process improvement skills
  • Exceptional leadership skills, including strong judgment, decision-making, and the ability to influence desired outcomes across stakeholder groups
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the interpersonal ability to independently manage challenging client and stakeholder situations
  • Self-reliant, strategic, and results-oriented, with a track record of driving meaningful change and broad impact
  • Ability to balance immediate practice needs with broader functional and platform priorities.

Base salary range for this role:

Pay Range Minimum:

166000

Pay Range Maximum:

222400

In addition to the listed salary range, this position is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus and a comprehensive, competitive benefits package. Actual placement within the stated salary range will be determined based on factors such as skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as internal equity.

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