Investment Operations Associate

About Sands Capital

Sands Capital is an active, long-term investor in leading innovative growth businesses, globally. Our approach combines analytical rigor and creative thinking to identify high-quality growth businesses that are creating the future. Through an integrated investment platform spanning alternatives, growth equity and public equity, we provide growth capital solutions to institutions and fund sponsors in more than 30 countries.

Position Summary

Sands Capital is seeking a motivated Investment Operations Associate to support the Portfolio Services function within the Investment Operations Team. This role is responsible for supporting cash flow management, daily reconciliations, transaction and position review, exception research, reporting support, performance, portfolio and fund accounting, and operational control activities for separately managed accounts and funds. In this role, you will work closely with team members, custodians, administrators, and internal stakeholders to maintain accurate records, resolve discrepancies, support client and firm reporting, and identify opportunities to improve process efficiency and control quality.

Work Expectations

The work location for this role is Sands Capital’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia on a hybrid schedule of three days per week in-office (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday), or more as directed by your manager. The hybrid schedule is subject to change at any time.

Responsibilities

• Reconciliation & Exception Management: Perform daily and periodic reconciliations of cash, positions, transactions, income, FX activity, corporate actions, and other account-level activity against custodian, administrator, or service-provider records.
• Cash Flow Management: Review, process, and monitor client and fund cash flows, including contributions, withdrawals, income, fees, expenses, rebates, management fees, in-kind transactions, and other cash or asset movements.
• Discrepancy Research: Research and resolve cash, position, transaction, pricing, income, corporate action, and account-data discrepancies, escalating issues with clear facts, analysis, and recommended next steps.
• Portfolio Recordkeeping: Support accurate and timely portfolio recordkeeping by validating account activity, maintaining data integrity, and ensuring operational information is complete and reliable for downstream use.
• Reporting & Audit Support: Prepare and review recurring client, firm, audit, financial, and operational reporting deliverables, ensuring information is accurate, complete, and delivered on time.
• Service Provider Coordination: Communicate with custodians, administrators, and third-party service providers to research open items, monitor outstanding requests, and support timely issue resolution.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Partner with Portfolio Administration, Trade Settlements, Trading, Compliance, Client Service, Accounting/Finance, Legal, and other internal teams when portfolio services workflows require broader coordination.
• Process Improvement & Projects: Participate in cross-functional projects focused on improving team efficiency, strengthening controls, and enhancing operational workflows. Identify recurring manual tasks, process gaps, and control weaknesses, and assist with documentation, data validation, testing, reporting enhancements, and practical technology-enabled solutions.
• Technical: Strong technical aptitude and curiosity, with the ability to learn systems quickly, work effectively with data, and contribute to projects that improve reporting, controls, automation, or operational efficiency; prior exposure to data analytics, workflow tools, or investment operations technology is a plus.
• Risk & Control Awareness: Follow established procedures, maintain awareness of internal policies and compliance expectations, and contribute to strong operational controls across daily responsibilities.
• Learning & Development: Demonstrate curiosity, accountability, and a willingness to learn new systems, products, workflows, and industry practices as the business evolves.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited university, preferably in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of relevant professional experience in investment operations, fund accounting, custody, middle/back-office operations, or financial services.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to produce timely, accurate, and high-quality work products.
• Working knowledge of cash, positions, transactions, portfolio accounting, reconciliation, or investment operations concepts preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; comfort reviewing data, validating information, and learning new systems.
• Experience with or interest in operational technology, reporting tools, workflow automation, or data analytics is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to research discrepancies, identify root causes, and escalate appropriately.
• Ability to manage recurring deadlines, prioritize work, and operate with urgency in a fast-paced professional environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across internal teams and external service providers.

Required Behavioral Characteristics

• Having impeccable integrity.
• Exhibiting superior client service skills (both internally and externally).
• Exhibiting strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrating a strong work ethic in a fast-paced, professional environment.
• Operating with a high degree of initiative, self-discipline, and motivation.
• Working effectively both independently and as part of a team with a high degree of efficiency and accuracy.
• Assuming the best of others.
• Being motivated by a job well done.

Sands Capital’s Values

• Integrity & Trust: Do what is right, not what is popular. Deliver on commitments.
• Client-Centered: Always act in the best interest of our clients.
• Commitment to Excellence: Strive to learn and improve. Implement best practices.
• Focus: Identify and concentrate on “what matters.”
• Long-Term Perspective: Appreciate that time allows sound decisions to demonstrate their worth. Avoid short-term thinking.
• Independent Thinking: Have the courage to develop and articulate your own convictions. Debate others openly and honestly.
• Teamwork: Collaborate to gather facts, develop perspective, build conviction, and support timely decision-making.
• Positive “Can-Do” Attitude: Demonstrate a willingness to tackle any task.
• Graciousness: Reflect kindness and courtesy at all times.
• Balance: Enjoy your work while balancing professional activities with interests beyond the firm.
• Meritocracy: Know that talent and achievement will drive your success at Sands Capital.

Pay

The compensation for this role includes a base salary range of $70,000 – $75,000 (as determined by the candidate’s professional experience and relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities), as well as a discretionary, performance-based bonus. Bonus targets may vary by position and are based on both individual achievement as well as broader firm performance.

Benefits

• Medical insurance (including a discount vision program)
• Dental insurance
• Life and personal accident insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent)
• Paid stock market (NYSE) holidays, vacation, sick, and parental leave
• Supplemental services such as a medical concierge service, health and wellness coaches, onsite massage therapy, and more