Professional, ITM Fund Administration, IM Operations : Job Level - Associate

Overview of the Role:

This Associate role supports the ITM Fund Administration function within Morgan Stanley Investment Management Operations Japan (MSIM-J), reporting directly to the team manager in Tokyo. The ITM Fund Administration team is responsible for a wide range of operational and regulatory processes, including daily NAV calculations, fund launches and terminations, fund book closings, disclosures, and regulatory reporting. The team plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of fund operations and compliance with both domestic and international regulations. MSIM-J utilizes the T-Star fund accounting system, with most operational tasks outsourced to Master Trust Bank of Japan (MTBJ). The team also manages relationships with service providers such as MTBJ and Nomura Research Institute (NRI), ensuring smooth and accurate NAV processing.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversight of Fund Accounting Operations:
  • Supervise daily NAV calculations and related operations outsourced to MTBJ.
  • Coordinate with trust banks to ensure timely and accurate processing.
• Fund Operations:
  • Support fund subscriptions/redemptions and cash management.
  • Post instructions to fund trustees and manage fund book closing activities.
  • Liaise with auditors for fund audit processes.
• Disclosure & Regulatory Reporting:
  • Manage fund disclosure processes.
  • Fulfill regulatory reporting requirements to JITA, FSA, and BOJ.
  • Handle U.S. tax-related reporting (e.g., QI and FATCA).
• Stakeholder Communication:
  • Provide NAV and fee-related information to distributors.
  • Collaborate and escalate issues with Legal, Compliance, Investment, Sales, Finance, Risk, and Technology teams.
• Governance & Compliance:

• Ensure all processes comply with firm policies and local regulations.
• Maintain strong internal controls and risk awareness.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in financial services or Japanese investment trust fund operations.
• Familiarity with Japanese investment laws and regulations is a plus.
• Experience with T-Star system is preferred.
• Strong understanding of investment products is advantageous.
• Proven ability to identify operational risks and maintain attention to detail.
• Problem-solving mindset with practical solution orientation.
• Business-level proficiency in Japanese and English (verbal and written).
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; able to work effectively across functions and geographies.
• Proactive, open-minded, and collaborative team player with a can-do attitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.