What is the opportunity?

CACEIS Malaysia has been a cornerstone of asset servicing since 2008, evolving into a trusted hub of operational excellence within the global CACEIS network. Strategically located in IOI City, Putrajaya, the company employs over 1,200 skilled professionals, providing a broad spectrum of services to institutional clients across Europe. These services include Custody & Cash Clearing, Fund Administration, Fund Distribution, Master Data Services, Market Solutions, Group Invoicing, Reconciliations and Private Equity & Real Estate Solutions. As a centre of excellence, CACEIS Malaysia plays a pivotal role in driving the scalability of global operations, enhancing service quality, and implementing standardized processes to meet the diverse needs of its clients. The dedicated team in Malaysia is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality solutions that empower clients to thrive in a dynamic and competitive financial landscape.

As Associate Director, you will lead the Client Portfolio Compliance function in Malaysia. The function in Malaysia assists jurisdictions with performance of tasks for regulated funds and offshore funds in accordance with onshore Regulations and fund documentation.  The function acts independently and solely in the interest of the shareholder(s), to hold in safekeeping the assets of the investment funds and provide oversight on the activities of the schemes.

Leading through managers, you will be accountable for making sure all controls are performed accurately and completely, all exceptions and breaches are escalated immediately and resolved on time, all audit and regulatory requirements are satisfied, and key service level agreements are met. You will shape the function's strategy with the Head of Division and Senior Expert, and be the senior escalation point for the oversight, auditors and any other stakeholders. 

Region: Ireland

Working Hour: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

What will you do?

Strategy and direction

• Own the strategy and roadmap for Client Portfolio Compliance Malaysia, in partnership with the local Head of Division (HOD) and Senior Expert from Group. 

• Translate the Group operating strategy into clear priorities, targets and plans for the Malaysia teams.

• Manage projects relating to fund take-ons and negotiation of new business and successful on boarding of new mandates.

• Sponsor the local Client Portfolio Compliance projects agreed with the HOD and Senior Expert, setting scope, benefits and timelines, and holding managers to delivery.

• Represent Malaysia Client Portfolio Compliance team in Group governance forums, ISMC, steering committees and operating model reviews.

• Prepare and monitor monthly KPI reports for the Client Portfolio Compliance of Malaysia.

Operational Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Client Portfolio Compliance depositary teams to enable team members to efficiently and effectively perform their duties

#LI-MS1

(cont.)

• Advise the team on depositary and regulatory issues.
• Ensure adherence to all policies & procedures and local laws and regulations.
• Ensure daily and periodic depositary tasks are completed in accordance with internal deadlines and procedures.
• Establish and maintain a control plan and monitor implementation.
• Ensure errors and investment breaches are investigated and rectified on a timely basis and appropriate action taken and provide effective and clear reporting to management, and onshore as appropriate.
• Ensure funds are set up properly in automated and manual fund compliance environment, optimising service offering, productivity and profitability.
• Attend depositary meetings with Jurisdictions and establish a good relationship with the teams.

People leadership & Financial Management

• Build a high-performance team: lead, coach and develop the managers and, through them, the wider team to deliver on overall operational goals.
• Hire, train and develop staff, give ongoing feedback and run semi-annual performance reviews.
• Build succession cover and a skills matrix for key roles, so that the function does not depend on any one person.
• Ensure the management is regularly informed of the team’s progress (in particular KPI performance), escalating issues as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Head of Division in monitoring the financials to ensure cost are aligned with the approved budget / forecast.  

• Post-secondary education with supplemental relevant qualification within the financial industry or equivalent experience. 

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Depositary Services, with at least 5 years in a management role, ideally leading through managers.

Must-have

• Deep, current knowledge of investment and regulatory issues facing the Fund Industry and continually monitor market trends.

• Expert judgement on financial instrument eligibility (e.g. target funds, structured products, indexes, derivatives), with the confidence to rule on complex or grey-area cases.

• Good knowledge of the fund and trust industry and financial markets, with a solid understanding of depositary oversight duties, including client cash flow monitoring. 

• Proven record of leading a function through audits or regulatory reviews and closing remediation on time.

•  Good knowledge of cross-location operations, systems and IT environments, and of keeping them compliant with rules and procedures.

• Exceptional people management and development credentials: building managers, developing talent and running team governance.

• Ability to make informed decisions based on alignment with the objectives of the Entity.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with proficiency in written and spoken English, and able to present with confidence to senior stakeholders, clients and auditors.

• Calm under pressure, with a sense of urgency, sound judgement and good organisational awareness.

Nice to have

• Professional qualifications such as CFA, ACCA, CA or a recognized compliance certification.

• Experience with investment compliance systems (e.g. ALTO or equivalent).

• Familiarity with alternative and illiquid assets such as private equity, real estate and private debt

• Exposure to data and automation tools (e.g. Power BI, VBA, Python).

What’s in it for you?

We thrive on the challenge to be our best, progressive thinking to keep growing, and working together to deliver trusted advice to help our clients thrive and communities prosper. We care about each other, reaching our potential, making a difference to our communities, and achieving success that is mutual.

• A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including performance based bonuses, flexible benefits, and competitive compensation.
• Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities.
• A world-class training program in financial services.
• A collaborative dynamic culture where personal initiative and hard work are recognized and rewarded.