Transfer Agency and Fund Administration Lead – Private Equity Accounting
About Northern Trust:
Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.
Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.
Role/ Department:
The Fund Administration/Transfer Agency Lead (Guernsey) is a leadership position within our Guernsey Private Capital Administration (PCA) department. Reporting to the Head of PCA Guernsey, the role holds end-to-end responsibility for all Guernsey-based Fund Administration/Transfer Agency operations (excl. AML) and service deliver and is responsible for functional oversight, governance, and support to Northern Trust’s Transfer Agency activities delivered from our outsourced/extended locations (such as Ireland and India), in line with our global operating model and shared ownership approach.
The key responsibilities of the role includes:
· Strategic Leadership & Service Delivery: Provide strategic direction and day-to-day leadership for all Fund Administration/Transfer Agency services in the Guernsey’s Private Capital business, ensuring high-quality service delivery, operational efficiency, and outstanding client outcomes for all fund administration/investor servicing activities.
· Operational Accountability: Own the end-to-end TA operations for Guernsey/in-sourced domiciled funds, maintaining accountability for service levels, quality control, and regulatory compliance throughout the investor lifecycle – from subscription and redemption processing to investor communications and reporting.
· Outsourcing Oversight & Governance: Serve as the Business Unit Outsourcing Manager for TA, establishing a robust governance framework for all Transfer Agency processes delegated to offshore/outsourced teams (e.g. in Ireland, India). Oversee service level agreements (SLAs), perform regular service reviews, monitor key performance indicators, and ensure delegated activities meet Northern Trust’s standards and risk controls. Proactively manage escalations, issue resolution, and continuous improvement initiatives across locations.
· Regulatory & Risk Compliance: Ensure full compliance with local regulatory requirements and corporate control frameworks, including adherence to Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) regulations, economic substance obligations, anti-money laundering (AML) and investor due diligence standards. Maintain appropriate local oversight, approvals, and record-keeping for critical investor services (e.g. investor register sign-offs, board reporting) in line with Northern Trust policies and Guernsey regulations.
· Client Focus & Relationship Management: Act as a escalation point of contact for Transfer Agency matters in Guernsey, working closely with Client Service Delivery Managers and Relationship Managers to address client needs, service reviews, and new business opportunities. Represent the TA function in client meetings, fund board meetings, and regulatory engagements as needed ensuring client queries and requirements are addressed promptly and effectively.
· Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including Fund Accounting, Financial Reporting, Investor AML, Payments teams, and global PCA leadership, to deliver a cohesive and integrated service model. Promote a “One Northern Trust” approach that leverages global best practices and consistent processes across jurisdictions for Private Capital clients.
· People Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop the Guernsey Fund Administration/TA team, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous learning. Manage resource planning, hiring and training, performance management, and succession planning to ensure a skilled and resilient team capable of meeting current and future business needs.
· Operational Resilience & Change Management: Monitor capacity, productivity, and risk metrics (KPIs/KRIs), implementing improvements to enhance operational resilience and scalability. Champion process improvements and technology initiatives to drive efficiency (e.g. workflow automation, system enhancements) and participate in strategic change/transformation projects impacting the Transfer Agency function.
Skills/Experience:
· Extensive Fund Administration/TA Expertise: Demonstrated experience in Transfer Agency/Investor Services/fund administration, ideally in private equity or alternative asset environments. Deep understanding of TA operations, including investor onboarding, dealing/subscription
· Operational Oversight in a Global Model: Strong track record in managing service delivery across onshore-offshore or outsourced models, with skills in service level management, vendor/outsourcing oversight, and remote team collaboration. Ability to establish effective governance, monitor KPIs, and drive continuous improvement in a multi-jurisdictional context.
· Stakeholder & Client Management: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience building relationships and working closely with clients, colleagues, and senior stakeholders. Comfortable representing the TA function in client forums, audits, and regulatory discussions, and partnering with cross-functional teams to solve complex issues.
· Regulatory & Control Acumen: In-depth knowledge of fund industry regulations pertinent to Transfer Agency and investor services, especially GFSC rules, AML/KYC, FATCA/CRS, and data protection in a Guernsey context. Skilled in risk management and implementing control frameworks to uphold compliance and quality.
· Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Able to think strategically about service delivery, process enhancements and to manage multiple priorities effectively. Experience driving organizational change or process re-engineering within operations is an advantage.
Qualifications:
· Professional qualifications such as ICSA etc.
· Familiarity in relevant industry systems and technologies.
· Leadership & Oversight: Proven people management and leadership experience, preferably at a senior manager level. Adept at leading teams across multiple locations, providing guidance, setting performance goals, and ensuring accountability and motivation of staff.
Working with Us:
As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.
Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.
We’d love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world’s most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater