Syndicated Bank Loan Operations Manager

Symetra Investment Management (“SIM”) is a SEC-registered investment advisory firm with approximately $93.8 billion in assets under management. Symetra Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, has $77.9 billion in assets and is the holding company of Symetra Life Insurance Company, founded in 1957. Symetra Life holds insurer financial strength ratings of ‘A’ by A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s and ‘A1’ by Moody’s, serving approximately 5.5 million customers with over 3,200 employees nationwide. The corporate parent company is Sumitomo Life Insurance Company, one of Japan’s largest life insurers with ¥51.6 trillion ($322.6 billion) in assets.

About the Role

This role owns the operational lifecycle of syndicated loan investments, including oversight of the Bank Loan team’s day-to-day activities and ownership of platform relationships and service provider oversight. It ensures accurate and timely trade settlement, cash flow processing, and data integrity within loan investment portfolios, working closely with the front office bank loan team to handle complex transactions and portfolio holdings. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of syndicated bank loans, a strong understanding of loan agency and custody platforms, and proven ability to manage bank loan operations teams and oversee multiple service providers in a fast-paced investment environment. This is a remote role with required travel to the Farmington office several times per month.

Responsibilities

• Loan closing: Oversee day-to-day operations of loan closing, including review of trade details, signing of loan documentation, AML/KYC, movement of wires to fund bank loan trades, and more.
• Daily processing and workflows: Ensure bank loan activity (e.g., paydowns, rollovers, interest payments) is processed accurately and timely in various systems. Oversee the bank loan team and outsourced functions, troubleshoot escalations, and address technology pain points.
• Reconciliations and controls: Oversee and participate in daily review and reconciliation of loan positions and transactions between Trade Order Management Systems, agent banks, accounting platforms, and downstream systems. Resolve issues promptly and ensure controls related to performance, valuation, and data quality are followed.
• Platform provider and outsourced function ownership: Manage relationships with platform providers (e.g., ClearPar, Markit), including access rights, SLAs, contract terms, and data feeds. Oversee outsourced functions such as loan closings and administration, including SLAs and validation of activity performed on SIM’s behalf.
• Client relations: As a Registered Investment Advisor, ensure the team and service providers deliver timely and accurate information to institutional clients. Maintain strong relationships with internal and external clients and participate in prospective clients’ due diligence processes, including questionnaires and in-person meetings.
• Management and strategic vision: Provide leadership, training, and hands-on guidance to a growing team. Collaborate with management to develop career and skills advancement pathways. Align goals with other teams and senior management, stay current with market practices and regulatory changes, and identify opportunities to automate processes and controls.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or equivalent work experience.
• At least eight years of experience working with bank loans from an operational perspective, with at least three years in a people manager or team lead role.
• Strong leadership skills and knowledge of the bank loan trade lifecycle or experience supporting a trading business.
• Technical knowledge of syndicated loan processes, best practices, and regulations.
• Familiarity with syndicated loans, loan-based software, and LSTA standard documentation, including the LSTA Standard Terms and Conditions.
• Ability to improve processes and create efficiencies using technology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and analytical orientation.
• Ability to multitask, work independently and collaboratively, and exhibit high motivation and initiative.
• Flexibility to work extra hours as needed to support team coverage and business needs, including projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to query databases (e.g., SQL).
• Experience mapping operational workflows using tools such as Visio, Lucid Chart, or Miro.
• Demonstrated interest and ability to use AI tools.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as PowerBI (including Power Query).

Benefits

• Flexible full-time or hybrid telecommuting arrangements.
• 401(k) plan with immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%.
• Paid time away, including vacation, sick time, flex days, and ten paid holidays.
• Company matching for community giving.

Pay

Salary Range: $120,600 – $163,100 plus eligibility for an annual bonus program.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and maintain authorization throughout employment. Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role.

As a remote-first organization, Symetra requires a minimum internet speed of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload (fiber, cable, or DSL). Satellite, cellular broadband, and dial-up connections are not permissible.