Client Onboarding Specialist - Depositary Services

Client Onboarding Specialist I Depositary Services 
Business Unit: GFS: Fund Solutions
Location: Maarsbergen or Amsterdam 
Job type: Initial 12-month fixed-term contract, intended to lead to a permanent position.
Hours: Full-time, 40h/week

The salary range for this specific role will be € 70.000 – € 80.000 gross per year.
The final salary will be determined based on relevant skills, experience, and role scope, in line with our objective and gender-neutral compensation framework.
 

About the Role
The Client Onboarding Specialist is tasked with managing the end-to-end onboarding onto our platform for new and existing clients. The role acts as the central coordinator between the fund manager, who is our client, and the operational depositary team to ensure a seamless transition from mandate acceptance to operational go-live.

The Client Onboarding Specialist ensures all onboarding activities are completed in accordance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, risk standards, and agreed implementation timelines while delivering exceptional client experience.

Some of the things you’ll be doing

Client Onboarding & Implementation

• Lead the end-to-end onboarding of new fund managers, funds, and external parties, ensuring a smooth and timely transition from contract signing to go-live.
• Coordinate all onboarding activities, including CDD/KYC requirements, legal due diligence, system setup, account access, and fund registration.
• Act as the primary point of contact for fund managers and key stakeholders throughout the onboarding lifecycle.
• Ensure all onboarding activities are completed in line with internal controls, governance standards, and regulatory requirements, including AFM approval and registration.
• Identify, manage, and escalate implementation risks, issues, and dependencies to relevant stakeholders where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and ensure a seamless handover to business-as-usual operations.

Quality Control & Oversight

• Own and maintain the Depositary Quality Control Framework, ensuring oversight activities are performed in accordance with AIFMD requirements, internal policies, and governance standards.
• Conduct regular quality reviews and sample testing of cash flow monitoring, safekeeping, asset verification, and oversight controls to assess effectiveness and compliance.
• Monitor adherence to AIFMD, AML/KYC requirements, Policies & Procedures Manuals (PPMs), and operational work instructions, identifying and addressing control gaps.
• Investigate control exceptions, incidents, breaches, and operational issues, performing root cause analysis and coordinating remediation actions with relevant stakeholders.
• Support and coordinate internal audits, ISAE3000 audits, external audits, regulatory reviews, and compliance assessments, ensuring timely resolution of findings.
• Track and report quality metrics, key risk indicators, audit findings, and material risks to management, escalating significant issues where required.

Depositary & Regulatory Coordination

• Ensure onboarding and quality control activities comply with applicable AIFMD, AML/KYC and Sanctions regulations and requirements.
• Coordinate due diligence reviews of fund managers, funds and other external parties such as outsourcing partners in alignment with internal risk policies and related review periodicity.
• Sound understanding of the potential risks associated with new fund managers, new asset strategies and/or new funds.
• Support the timely and accurate completion of periodical risk re-assessments and onboarding approval processes.
• Ensure all required legal and operational documentation is obtained and reviewed.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, client experience, and control effectiveness.
• Drive process enhancement initiatives.
• Support strategic projects, system implementations, and regulatory change programs.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the Depositary function.

What technical skills, experience, and qualifications do you need?

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in Depositary Services, Custody, Fund Administration, Asset Servicing, or Investment Operations.
•  Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Proven track record in client onboarding, fund launches, and implementation or transition projects.
• Experience in quality assurance, operational oversight, risk management, and control functions.
• Strong understanding of fund structures and investment vehicles.
• In-depth knowledge of Depositary responsibilities, including AIFMD requirements, AML/KYC regulations, client due diligence, oversight duties, and asset safekeeping obligations.
• Experience liaising with regulators, auditors, and governance committees is considered an asset.
• Professional certifications in Project Management, Risk Management, Audit, or Quality Assurance are advantageous.
• Fluent English; Dutch language skills are an advantage.