Portfolio Implementation & Operations Associate (Dubai)

Job Description

Lazard is one of the world’s preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms. Our people and culture make the difference. While global in presence and reach, ours is a close, collaborativecommunity of just over 3,000 professionals. Lazard is a place of continuous knowledge sharing, skill development and relationship building, where professionals grow and succeed together. Our entrepreneurial culture, flat structure and embrace of individual differences, allow creative ideas, original concepts, and unique perspectives to drive our business forward — and for careers to take flight.

Many of the world’s leading investors - from individuals to institutions across the globe - have trusted Lazard Asset Management. We pride ourselves in uncovering the best investment opportunities for our clients. The purpose of our asset management business is to help our clients invest for the future - whether it’s for retirement, to grow and preserve inter-generational wealth, or to benefit the organizations that make our world smarter, healthier and more sustainable.

Portfolio Implementation & Operations Associate - Dubai

Key Responsibilities

• Execute and manage PM-directed trades within Charles River, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to pre-trade compliance and investment guidelines
• Own relationships with custodians and brokers, acting as the primary point of contact to ensure seamless trade execution, efficient issue resolution, and high service standards
• Oversee the end-to-end trade lifecycle across MENA markets, including trade capture, settlement monitoring, issue resolution, and daily reconciliation of segregated mandates and fund accounts
• Monitor portfolios daily to track cash positions, inflows/outflows, and adherence to client and fund investment guidelines
• Act as a central point of coordination for internal stakeholders (Trading, Compliance, Sales, Client Service, and global Operations teams) to resolve operational queries and ensure smooth execution
• Support Sales and Client Service teams on client queries, including portfolio-related matters, pricing reviews, and escalation of stale or missing prices
• Monitor and process corporate actions while maintaining strong awareness of MENA market regulations and operational practices
• Partner with Compliance on pre- and post-trade monitoring, ensuring adherence to regulatory and internal requirements
• Ensure strong operational controls and risk mitigation across all trade lifecycle activities
• Drive process improvements and operational efficiencies, including system enhancements and automation initiatives, and support ad-hoc projects as required

Essential Skills, Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field
• 3–5 years of experience in asset management, investment operations, or financial services, including exposure to custodians and brokers
• Strong understanding of trade lifecycle, portfolio implementation, and investment operations
• Familiarity with order management systems (e.g., Charles River)
• Knowledge of MENA market regulations, settlement practices, and corporate actions
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with high attention to detail
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and regions
• Proactive, ownership-driven mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Exposure to AI-enabled tools and technologies (e.g., automation, predictive analytics, workflow and data quality tools) to drive process improvements and operational efficiency is an advantage

Lazard is an intellectual capital business committed to delivering the best advice and solutions to clients. To achieve these objectives, we focus on attracting, developing and retaining the best talent. We believe that a workforce comprised of people who represent a wide array of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives creates a rich variety of thought that empowers us to challenge conventional wisdom, solve problems creatively and make better decisions.

Lazard was built on the premise that a multicultural firm can best serve a global clientele. As a global firm that has grown organically from local roots in different countries, we have a deep tradition of respecting and appreciating individual differences. Doing so has been core to our success for over 175 years. We are committed to sustaining an environment where every colleague is supported in their professional pursuits, can maximize their individual potential and contribute to our collective success.

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