Our third-party due diligence (VANTAGE) team assess our clients’ current, former or potential counterparties, looking for any issues that might pose a reputational or business risk to them, wherever they may be in the world. The work is compliance-focused and volume-driven.
The Associate Research Manager is responsible for the quality of VANTAGE work. S/he will oversee and guide Researchers to ensure they produce clear, analytical and exceptionally well-written reports which help our clients protect their integrity and reputation.
S/he will also support the Research Manager in training researchers and managing projects, leveraging internal and external resources in order to complete VANTAGE projects in a timely and effective manner.
The successful candidate will have a strong knowledge of open-source intelligence and public record research, experience in writing and reviewing due diligence reports, people management skills and has excellent communication, writing and interpersonal skills.
People Management
- Manage a team of researchers and senior researchers
- Define, for each team member, objectives and responsibilities in line with the practice goals
- Conduct performance reviews
- Ensure well-being and professional development of staff
- Support the Research Manager in recruiting new researchers
Project management of third-party due diligence
- Ensure VANTAGE work is properly scoped, allocated to researchers, tracked and ultimately delivered on time and within budget
- Communicate directly with clients in order to clarify the scope of projects, address questions, and suggest potential additional avenues of research
- Review and approve (content and editorial) VANTAGE work, ensuring projects are of high quality and meet Clients’ specifications
- Liaise with and provide feedback to vendors and subcontractors, ensuring the quality of work they provide is high and adheres to our global delivery standards
- Engage with colleagues in the Business Intelligence team whenever VANTAGE work requires their input and collaboration
Regional research initiatives
- Assist Research Manager in training new researchers in the VANTAGE methodology and approach, ensuring new team members successfully complete the onboarding process
- Provide continual training and cascade updates to the VANTAGE methodology and approach
- Monitor quality of work and give feedback to researchers; motivate and guide researchers to ensure they are focused and directed effectively on operational and other aspects of the work
- Interact regularly with other Team Leads and Associate Research Managers to provide support and feedback on VANTAGE work
- Participate in discussions with other Team Leads and Associate Research Managers to provide insight on potential service/product improvement
- Education to degree level (minimum of a bachelor’s or equivalent experience)
- Full fluency in English written and spoken is essential
- Experience in writing, researching and reviewing/editing due diligence reports; demonstrated excellence in research, writing and editing in English
- Experience in managing projects, especially where the project team is spread across several locations
- At least 1-2 years’ experience in line management
- Strong knowledge of research techniques, databases, networks, online registers and archives and other OSINT research tools
- Experience influencing people across an organization, especially without direct reporting lines
- Proven ability to meet project deadlines
Preferred
- Knowledge of software-based case management solutions
- Experience in a compliance team in a financial institution or a corporate setting
- Knowledge of other languages and the socio-political environment in the region is an advantage
- Qualifications specific to financial crime or compliance would be an advantage
