Assistant Quality Assurance Executive

Job purpose

The Quality Assurance team plays a key role in the risk management framework of the Development Bank of Wales, contributing to the Group’s credibility and reputation as an effective and professional fund manager.

The role involves undertaking compliance monitoring work directly, highlighting areas of non-conformity, weakness or vulnerability and involvement in the design and implementation of procedural change and controls to maximise efficiency whilst operating within the Group’s risk tolerances in respect to:

• Investment, Portfolio and Property Services file sampling
• Assisting with thematic reviews and deep dive activity
• Coordination of Investment procedures and document templates
• Impact data validation and reporting

As custodian of best practice regarding investment procedures and impact data, the post holder will provide ad hoc guidance to colleagues at all levels across the investment side of the business.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring areas of weakness within the Investment Procedures and sampling activity are identified and assist with implementing improvements and controls to new and existing processes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To perform pre and post-investment qualitative reviews of Group investment files to ensure adherence to Internal Operating Guidance (IOGs), investment procedures and Group Policy, maintaining accurate records of file sampling activity.
• To identify and resolve instances where omissions or inconsistencies are identified on Investment files and report the outcomes of file sampling activity to the relevant Investment staff and Senior Quality Assurance Executive.
• To ensure that the Investment procedures remain fit for purpose through the identification of areas of vulnerability/inefficiency and to work closely with the Quality assurance Executives to devise and roll-out new procedures and improvements.
• To assist with any thematic reviews and deep dive sampling activity.
• To feedback on the effectiveness of the file sampling procedures and to recommend and deliver improvements through liaison with the Senior QA Executive.
• To perform validation of all impact data relating to investment activity and provide feedback to investment teams.
• To assist with the physical reconciliation of security documents to support the Senior QA and Compliance Manager with respect to evidencing CASS compliance.
• To provide support by directing Investment staff to internally published Policy, procedure, and guidance.
• To support with the central control and maintenance of core investment templates (excluding legal) and investment operating procedures.
• Any other task as may be defined by the Senior QA Executive or Compliance Manager to meet the operational needs of the department.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Experience

Essential 

• Self-motivated, with the ability to take a proactive approach and work effectively without supervision.
• Drive and determination to complete work accurately, consistently and to a high standard.
• A logical and enquiring mind and an eye for detail. An ability to think “outside the box” and to present innovative solutions to problems identified.
• An ability to retain detailed information and to demonstrate breadth of view, in order that the implications of procedural change are understood across the business.
• To have a broad understanding of risk management within the financial sector and be able to apply it to the Group.
• An appreciation of the benefits to the Group of having high quality policies and procedures to underpin investment activity.
• Able to manage and organise work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• Strong people skills and an ability to communicate and influence effectively, challenging for further information where necessary, with all levels of personnel across the Group.
• Experience of working in a financial/numerate or audit/regulated environment.
• IT/PC literate and able to use Microsoft Office Packages

Desirable 

• An understanding of the obligations on financial services businesses in adhering to regulation.
• A broad understanding of debt, mezzanine, and equity investments.
• Welsh speaker.

Apply

To apply for this role, please go to our recruitment page