Mutual Fund Operations Sr Specialist

About The Role:

The Mutual Fund Operations Senior Specialist serves as a subject‑matter expert responsible for supporting all aspects of mutual funds, 529 and UIT operations across the firm. This role oversees complex trade processing, corrections, reconciliations, and account maintenance, (among others) while assisting our Financial Advisors and Client Specialists.  Senior Specialists in this role act as key operational liaisons for branch associates, resolving escalated inquiries, troubleshooting transaction issues, and ensuring all mutual fund activity is executed accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory and firm standards.

Beyond daily processing, this senior position contributes to workflow optimization and requires strong cross‑department collaboration, partnering regularly across Operations, Compliance, Investment Solutions, and our technology teams.

The Impact You'll Make:

• Provide high value service to internal and external clients in an environment that promotes Baird’s culture and the Operations mission and values statement.
• Demonstrate deep expertise serving as process and/or platform owner with end-to-end responsibility to oversee mutual fund, 529, and UIT trading, exception reporting, and other operational workflows.
• Answer and/or initiate Financial Advisor and Client Specialist contact; answer routine questions and follow-through on requests.
• Serve as liaison to our vendors by fostering collaborative relationships, coordinating issue resolution, and partnering on process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and client experience.
• Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of markets, products, processes, regulations and systems required to deliver on business objectives.
• Support productivity and efficiency initiatives by evaluating current processes, defining requirements and scope, contributing to the development and execution of project plans, and implementing streamlined or automated solutions that enhance client service, mitigate risk, and advance both departmental and firm‑wide priorities.
• Ensure adherence to regulations, Baird policies, and department procedures and policies. Monitor exception reports pertinent to the status of ongoing activities; initiate corrective action as necessary.
• Oversee maintenance of Mutual Fund Operations department page on BairdWeb to ensure the accuracy and validity of all documentation is updated appropriately the validity and accuracy of material.
• Balance competing priorities independently based on business needs.
• Foster teamwork through collaboration, mentoring, and associate development.
• Hybrid schedule offering opportunity to collaborate with teammates in person while providing personal flexibility.
• Professional growth and career path opportunities.

What You'll Bring To Baird:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years related experience in a financial services operations role is a plus.
• SIE and Series 99 strongly encouraged.
• Proficiency and experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the ability to leverage data.
• Strong analytical and skills with the ability to perform advanced problem solving.
• Ability to tolerate multiple assignments, work under pressure and within deadlines and produce accurate results.
• Detail oriented with focus on accuracy.
• Superior organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, monitor, and complete multiple tasks or projects, either independently or collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must with the ability to effectively relate to work in a team-oriented setting.
• Passion for providing high-value client service.
• Ability to stay focused under pressure and to prioritize work in order to effectively manage time.

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Baird is committed to diversity and provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.