Director of Fund Administration

Harris Associates LP

  • Chicago, IL
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 month ago
At Harris, the true value of what makes us successful is found in our people. It is our unique mix of cultures, experiences, beliefs and backgrounds that sets Harris apart from the rest. We constantly strive to cultivate, nurture and amplify an unparalleled environment, where we value intellectual curiosity and uniqueness of thought. Inclusion is embedded in the very fabric of our culture of collaboration and openness.We understand that a job description only tells one part of a broader story, and Harris is seeking dynamic candidates who can add to our best-in-class environment. We recognize that qualifications can be gained through both traditional and non-traditional paths, and we are committed to considering candidates who possess the potential to be excellent in this role regardless of prior experiences.Therefore we encourage ALL interested individuals to submit their applications, even if they do not meet every requirement outlined in the job description.The PositionThe Finance Team is comprised of two core groups: Corporate Accounting and Fund Administration. The Fund Administration team is responsible for overseeing and executing all fund operations, accounting, and financial reporting activities for the Oakmark Funds, Oakmark ETFs, (referred to as the, “Oakmark Funds”); and collective investment trusts (CITs), and limited partnerships (LPs) managed by Harris Associates L.P. (referred to as “Harris Funds”).The Director of Fund Administration is responsible for leading fund financial reporting, tax administration, audit, compliance monitoring, client servicing, and custody and transfer agency operations. Success requires a deep command of the Investment Company Act of 1940, especially in governance, compliance, valuation, and reporting. Strong communication and presentation skills are essential for clearly conveying complex financial information to senior stakeholders, along with proficiency in leveraging financial systems and data analytics tools to generate insight, streamline operations, and drive enterprise value. This individual must be a trusted business partner and shareholder advocate who collaborates effectively across finance, operations, legal, compliance, and external partners while upholding Harris Associates' culture of excellence.Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:Manage key fund custody, accounting and administration processes.
  • Lead fund accounting, administration, and operational activities, including oversight of financial reporting cycles, review and approval of monthly and quarterly reports, annual statement production, monthly journal entries and periodic regulatory filings.
  • Administer fund and partnership expenses, encompassing budgeting, accruals, verification and payment processing, allocation analysis across funds, share classes, and Harris Associates, as well as monitoring total expense ratios.
  • Oversee custody operations, including foreign market registration coordination, complex security onboarding, securities lending management, and collateral segregation monitoring.
  • Lead Transfer Agent operations across Oakmark Funds activities-managing vendor relationships, service performance, third-party intermediary coordination, contract negotiations, and compliant shareholder material delivery.
  • Execute financial statement audit engagements and serve as Vendor Business Owner (VBO) for key third-party relationships-including custodians, fund accounting agents, liquidity risk vendors, and public accounting firms-while overseeing performance metrics, due diligence, compliance, contract negotiations, and periodic evaluations of provider capabilities and value.
Serve as the technical subject matter expert to Harris Associates and its clients.
  • Provide technical guidance, lead disclosure and valuation reviews, respond to client inquiries, support new product initiatives, and maintain engagement with industry trade groups.
Oversee regulatory compliance monitoring and reporting.
  • Contribute to other firm-wide compliance efforts to support Oakmark Funds as Registered Investment Companies (“RICs”) and Harris Associates as a Registered Investment Advisor.
  • Oversee the fair valuation program for applicable Harris Funds, including pricing committee participation, oversight of valuation policies and procedures, and periodic reporting to the Oakmark Funds Board of Trustees.
  • Administer the Liquidity Risk Management (LRM) program for applicable Harris Funds, including monthly liquidity review, coordination of in-kind transactions, and periodic reporting to the Oakmark Funds Board of Trustees.
Lead, manage, and develop the Fund Administration Team.
  • Oversee hiring, training, and team performance; promote technical excellence, process improvement, and automation; build firmwide relationships to elevate team visibility, foster cross-functional collaboration, and support a culture of continuous learning.
Manage various tax functions required by the Funds.
  • Actively manage relationships with third-party tax accounting firms to ensure consistently high quality of outsourced tax preparation services for the Oakmark Funds and Harris Funds.
  • Oversee, manage and review tax reporting to the Oakmark and Harris Fund investors.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree with 10-15 years of experience in fund accounting, administration, or operations within the asset management industry; CPA strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated expertise in fund structures including RICs, partnerships, CITs, ETFs, and ERISA plans, with strong command of associated tax and regulatory compliance requirements.
  • In-depth understanding of transfer agency operations and securities across equity, fixed income, and international markets.
  • Proven success managing external fund service providers and strengthening oversight frameworks across custodians, fund administrators, and intermediaries.
  • Strategic leadership and team development experience, with a history of cultivating high-performance cultures and driving firm-wide engagement.
  • Advanced data and analytical skills including proficiency with Excel tools (PowerQuery, PowerPivot), ETL platforms (Alteryx), and BI tools (PowerBI, Tableau); ability to automate workflows and deliver actionable insights.
  • Familiarity with coding languages and tools (Python, SQL, VBA, Microsoft Access) to support scalable process improvements is a plus.
  • Meticulous and adaptable professional with a strategic mindset; consistently produces high-impact work while aligning decisions with enterprise-wide goals.
  • Strategic communicator with strong relationship-building skills; delivers compelling presentations to steering committees and board-level audiences, translating complex insights into clear executive narratives.
Key Organizational Relationships:This individual will interact with all levels of personnel within the organization and must therefore be able to communicate effectively and interact in a professional manner.Supervision:Reports To:Chief Financial OfficerSupervises:Assistant Controller, Fund AdministrationAccountant, Fund AdministrationHigh reliance is placed on this position by a variety of key stakeholders, both within and external to the organization. They include but are not limited to:
  • Shareholders in the Oakmark Funds
  • Investors in the CITs and LPs
  • President, CFO, General Counsel, and other officers / executives of Harris Associates
  • Board of Trustees of the Oakmark Funds
  • Chief Compliance Officer of the Oakmark Funds
  • Portfolio Managers
  • Harris Associates Marketing, Client Service and Operations teams
  • Natixis Investment Managers (parent company of Harris Associates)
  • Sponsors of Harris sub-advised funds
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to integrate life and work and to support our employees and their families. Benefits include, but are not limited to; medical, prescription drug, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, profit sharing plan, 401k plan, tuition reimbursement, commuter and holistic wellness benefits along with volunteer programs.Actual annual base salaries may vary based on factors including but not limited to education, training, experience, and other job-related factors. If hired, base pay will be determined on an individualized basis and is only one part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include a discretionary performance bonus and other Harris sponsored benefit programs.Expected range for this Chicago-based role$190,000—$225,000 USDEqual Employment Opportunity Policy Statement
Harris Associates L.P. pursues a policy of equal opportunity in all areas of employment including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, benefits, advancement, and treatment on the job. This means that Harris does not discriminate against employees, or qualified applicants, based on an individual's race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, physical disability, sexual orientation, trans-gender status, transsexual status, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, genetic information or for any other reason prohibited by law. Harris reserves the right to review publicly available information about applicants (i.e., via social networking sites), to the extent permissible under applicable law.Reasonable Accommodation Notice
We provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the alternative email address below to contact us about your interest in employment at HR@harrisassoc.com or you can call us at 312-646-3600.Privacy Statement
The information you send to us is used for employment purposes only. What you send is kept confidential-we will not give your personal information to outside parties without your consent.

Harris Associates LP