Portfolio Implementation & Operations Associate (Dubai)

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Execute and manage PM-directed trades within Charles River, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to pre-trade compliance and investment guidelines
• Own relationships with custodians and brokers, acting as the primary point of contact to ensure seamless trade execution, efficient issue resolution, and high service standards
• Oversee the end-to-end trade lifecycle across MENA markets, including trade capture, settlement monitoring, issue resolution, and daily reconciliation of segregated mandates and fund accounts
• Monitor portfolios daily to track cash positions, inflows/outflows, and adherence to client and fund investment guidelines
• Act as a central point of coordination for internal stakeholders (Trading, Compliance, Sales, Client Service, and global Operations teams) to resolve operational queries and ensure smooth execution
• Support Sales and Client Service teams on client queries, including portfolio-related matters, pricing reviews, and escalation of stale or missing prices
• Monitor and process corporate actions while maintaining strong awareness of MENA market regulations and operational practices
• Partner with Compliance on pre- and post-trade monitoring, ensuring adherence to regulatory and internal requirements
• Ensure strong operational controls and risk mitigation across all trade lifecycle activities
• Drive process improvements and operational efficiencies, including system enhancements and automation initiatives, and support ad-hoc projects as required

Essential Skills, Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field
• 3–5 years of experience in asset management, investment operations, or financial services, including exposure to custodians and brokers
• Strong understanding of trade lifecycle, portfolio implementation, and investment operations
• Familiarity with order management systems (e.g., Charles River)
• Knowledge of MENA market regulations, settlement practices, and corporate actions
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with high attention to detail
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and regions
• Proactive, ownership-driven mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Exposure to AI-enabled tools and technologies (e.g., automation, predictive analytics, workflow and data quality tools) to drive process improvements and operational efficiency is an advantage
• Lazard is an intellectual capital business committed to delivering the best advice and solutions to clients.
• To achieve these objectives, we focus on attracting, developing and retaining the best talent.
• We believe that a workforce comprised of people who represent a wide array of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives creates a rich variety of thought that empowers us to challenge conventional wisdom, solve problems creatively and make better decisions.
• Lazard was built on the premise that a multicultural firm can best serve a global clientele.
• As a global firm that has grown organically from local roots in different countries, we have a deep tradition of respecting and appreciating individual differences.
• Doing so has been core to our success for over 175 years.
• We are committed to sustaining an environment where every colleague is supported in their professional pursuits, can maximize their individual potential and contribute to our collective success.
• #LAM