Head of Funds Directorship Services

Join Walkers Professional Services (WPS) – shape the future with an industry leader Walkers Professional Services (WPS) is a dynamic, fast-growing provider of corporate, fiduciary and regulatory services to leading private equity firms, hedge funds, asset managers, and global financial institutions. With over 400 professionals across eight locations globally, we combine the strength of private equity backing with Walkers’ trusted reputation to deliver seamless, tech-enabled solutions that help businesses to thrive and meet responsibilities with confidence. As we invest in cutting-edge technology and expand our global footprint, we offer ambitious professionals the opportunity to achieve new career heights and make a real impact. Why Join WPS? If you thrive in dynamic environments and want to work with industry leaders, you’ll love what we offer: A growth platform – backed by strategic long-term co-investment from Vitruvian Partners and Walkers law firm, accelerating innovation and opportunity. Blue-chip client base – work with the best on high-impact, cross-border projects with leading global institutions. Global reach, deep local expertise – collaborate across major investment hubs worldwide. Empowered culture – a “grown-up” environment that values clarity, collaboration, and commerciality. Tech-enabled and client centred mindset – leverage technology to build smarter, more efficient service models. We are seeking a suitably qualified Independent Director with a minimum of 15 years post qualification relevant financial services experience, with demonstratable experience in the investment funds sector in the Cayman Islands, to fill the very senior role of Head of Funds Directorship Services ("Head") . Based in the Cayman Islands, the Head is responsible for planning, directing and leading the Walkers Fiduciary Limited (WFL) funds directorship services business (the "Business") to achieve its operational and strategic objectives. Reporting to the Global Head of Directorship Services of Walkers Fiduciary Limited (“WFL”) and working closely with the WPS Senior Management Team ("SMT"), the incumbent will design and implement the ongoing strategies and vision for the Business in the Cayman Islands and beyond. The Head will assist with the ongoing development and management of the budget, KPIs and ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations, whilst playing a significant role in securing new mandates and developing relationships with asset managers and other industry participants, as well as with internal stakeholders.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and execute a full launch and growth strategy for the Business in the Cayman Islands, working alongside the SMT and Walkers Investment Funds practice across all Walkers' offices to drive key cross-border initiatives
• Design, implement and drive core strategies to develop relationships with key clients of WPS and Walkers, in terms of understanding our client needs and their capabilities, cross selling our product line capabilities to new and existing clients, whilst becoming a valued resource to our clients
• Lead all business development and marketing activities, including attendance at all key industry conferences in the Cayman Islands and the US predominantly
• Act as a director on new investment vehicles in an individual capacity; attend board meetings and fulfil all fiduciary duties as appropriate
• Build out the operational framework for the Business, with responsibility for its compliance with internal policies and procedures, corporate governance, and jurisdictional regulatory regimes
• Ensure ongoing review and application of appropriate systems and procedures for the day-to-day management of all client portfolios from inception of the transaction to closing, termination and winding up, as well as handling pre and post-closing obligations/issues
• Working alongside other WPS departments, ensure the ongoing application, review if appropriate, of appropriate systems and processes to enable compliance with relevant tax and other regulatory reporting obligations including AEOI, BOR, ES and with regulatory compliance (including with respect to AML and other similar, equivalent or analogous requirements)
• Identify and manage risk in respect of service delivery, liaising with the Global Head Directorship Services, Director of Operational Risk and Head of Compliance as needed
• Management of and assistance with ad hoc projects and initiatives as required including service line and jurisdictional reviews, together with regulatory inspections
• Build a best-in-class funds fiduciary team of experienced professionals and promote a high-performance culture across the team, providing a clear career framework and opportunity for progression for all staff members at all levels, ensuring they strive to meet their own goals and ambitions alongside the wider WPS objectives
• Lead in the continuous development and ongoing management of the team, actively leading by example in the development and dissemination of knowledge and know-how for the team as it grows
• Act as the senior escalation point for all client related matters within the team
• Responsibility for appraising financial performance and key metrics of the Business and bringing operational matters to conclusion without prompting by internal stakeholders

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

This is a very senior role within WPS and the Head should hold a professional qualification in Accountancy or Law with a relevant degree in Finance, Commerce or a relevant business discipline and ideally, have no less than fifteen (15) years' experience working in a senior professional/fiduciary role within a financial services firm. In addition, the Head should have the following minimum competencies:

• Minimum 8 years' experience acting as an independent director to a portfolio of regulated funds, including but not limited to hedge, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, energy, credit, debt and venture capital transactions
• A minimum of 5 years team management and team leadership experience in the funds/financial services sector
• Expert knowledge of Cayman Islands laws and regulations underpinned by the knowledge of, and direct experience in, the US market and other international markets including the way in which they influence the choice of Cayman Islands structures and governance models
• Expert knowledge of the Mutual Funds Act and Private Funds Acts is essential, together with an understanding of all CIMAs Statements of Rules and Guidance for the investment fund sector in the Cayman Islands
• Highly knowledgeable of typical investment fund structures and transactions, with particular experience and expertise across (i) Boards of Cayman Islands exempted companies (acting as a director to funds and/or relevant vehicles; or as general partners of Cayman Islands exempted limited partnerships or partnerships domiciled in other jurisdictions such as Delaware, U.S.), (ii) acting as a manager of Cayman Islands LLCs or LLCs domiciled in other jurisdictions with a Cayman Islands governance or fiduciary nexus, (iii) managing unit trust structures (iv) other independent governance models and structures, including LPACs and advisory committees, (v) downstream deployment of capital, portfolio spend and corporate structures, as well as a broad range of corporate transactions, (v) sub-line financing/capital call financing and other means of managing capital inflows and distributions and (vi) audit obligations and process and review in the investment funds space in compliance with international audit rules and obligations in line with CIMA's rules, policies and procedures
• A background in (or exposure to) a law firms investment funds practice will be considered a distinct advantage
• Must have an expert understanding of FATCA and CRS, the practical aspects of complying therewith and experience of developing appropriate systems and processes relevant thereto
• Must have demonstrable experience of and competence in investigating tax and other regulatory obligations which may affect investment fund structures and developing business lines and internal processes to support them in meeting such obligations
• Demonstratable experience of building new and long-lasting relationships in this sector. The successful candidate is likely to be well known to the Investment Funds community in the Cayman Islands (and the US) and be able to evidence specific involvement in actively promoting the jurisdiction
• Strong organisational, analytical and decision-making skills with excellent attention to detail
• Energy, enthusiasm and a proactive solution-driven attitude with a proven ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines
• Highly skilled and proficient in written and verbal communication
• Experience of communicating and liaising with Regulators in the Cayman Islands and other jurisdictions as well as the preparation for and conduct of regulatory inspections and post-inspection action point review and completion
• Demonstrated ability to perform above and beyond expectations in a fast-paced and high-performance culture while delivering an accurate and timely work product
• Entrepreneurial with experience driving sales, new business targets, developing, leading and executing marketing and business development campaigns, as well as coherent and clear-sighted strategies around client development and new business

WPS offers a dynamic working environment with opportunities for career progression and an excellent remuneration package, including a discretionary performance-based bonus, pension and fully covered health insurance for employees and 5 weeks' vacation. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.