Alpha Services System Performance Testing Lead Job Description

Who we are looking for

Alpha Services is looking for an experienced system performance testing lead to join State Street’s Alpha Professional Services organization.  The Alpha Test Practice is focused on supporting Alpha Services executive leadership in the planning, management, and execution of end-to-end testing in support of our clients and internal business units.  The successful candidate must be skilled in managing multi-year programs consisting of complex business models and flows across front, middle, and back office operating models in both an insourced and outsourced model.

Responsibilities include planning, executing and overseeing system performance testing, project management, client management, data analysis, business workflow and systems architecture analysis. The Alpha Services Global System Performance Test lead has a reporting line into the Alpha Professional Services organization and will be based Boston MA.

Why this role is important to us

Alpha is the industry’s first-ever global interoperable platform that connects the front, middle and back office with one provider.  Thorough end-to-end testing of the Alpha platform and all applications, data, and operational workflows – across State Street, our clients, and our partner organizations (including Charles River Development) – is critical to reducing implementation timelines, to providing reliable and consistent delivery of data and functionality at time of system cutover, and to delivering a seamless and repeatable implementation experience to our clients.  Join us if making your mark in an ever-changing, increasingly complex and competitive industry is a challenge you are up for.

What you will be responsible for

This client facing role will be responsible for defining, executing, and managing testing strategies to ensure our platform meets and exceeds the performance needs of our clients in advance of onboarding them to State Street’s front-to-back platform, including:

• Managing a global project team of functional and automated testers who design, plan, and execute system performance testing for all in scope workflows, data, and architecture, while maintaining and enforcing global standards
• Developing and managing a playbook for automated test strategies and scripts across State Street and client systems
• Interpreting and responding to system performance data; assisting in adjusting architectures to tune various systems
• Managing creation and delivery of internal and client facing documents (client proposals, playbooks, test automation, test plans)
• Building, navigating, and managing complex relationships and expectations with both internal and client stakeholders
• Participating in various stages of the transformation lifecycle to strengthen testing processes, procedures, and standards
• Managing delivery through the extensive use of vendor partners; maintaining deliverable quality, timeliness, and execution within program budgets
• Providing regular status updates and supporting program reports as needed

What we value

The successful candidate must have excellent verbal, written and presentation skills, and understand global portfolio management, trading and compliance, across asset classes.  This position will have interaction with, and exposure to, the highest levels of executive management within State Street and within our clients’ organizations.

These skills will help you succeed in this role:

• Deep client engagement and expectation management across project life cycle
• Strong interest in global capital markets and quantitative investments
• Strong analytical and organizational skills       
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, globally structured, and team-based environment, as well as work independently
• Ability to write technical specifications which can be used by developers to produce solutions
• Experience in agile methodology and tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, Rally, RTC) preferred
• Electronic trading platforms experience is useful but not essential
• Experience in portfolio management theory and application is useful but not essential
• Risk management skills, especially those acquired at G-SIFI organizations and/or large public accounting firms
• Knowledge of key risk indicators, governance, oversight and escalation practices
• Presentation preparation and delivery for business risk committees and cross organizational, executive and board of directors’ committees
• Strong execution management skills for delivery of programs and initiatives

• Ability to collaborate and work across multiple stakeholders

Education & Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above.  10+ years of financial industry experience across front office functionality along with middle and back office systems, services and data domains.
• 5+ years experience leading and managing project teams and system performance testing
• Experience integrating with other industry providers to promote platform interoperability (e.g., Deloitte, Accenture, PWC, Bloomberg PORT, Charles River Development, BRS Aladdin, SimCorp Dimension, Factset, Fidessa Minerva, Eze Software).
• 5+ experience directly engaging clients at senior levels of their organizations.

About State Street

What we do. State Street is one of the largest custodian banks, asset managers and asset intelligence companies in the world. From technology to product innovation, we’re making our mark on the financial services industry. For more than two centuries, we’ve been helping our clients safeguard and steward the investments of millions of people. We provide investment servicing, data & analytics, investment research & trading and investment management to institutional clients.  Alpha is our front to back platform that powers better performance and outcomes at every point on the investment lifecycle and is the first open platform from a single provider that connects the front, middle and back office. It harmonizes data, technology and services across trusted providers to help our clients better manage their businesses.

Work, Live and Grow. We make all efforts to create a great work environment. Our benefits packages are competitive and comprehensive. Details vary by location, but you may expect generous medical care, insurance and savings plans, among other perks. You’ll have access to flexible Work Programs to help you match your needs. And our wealth of development programs and educational support will help you reach your full potential.

Inclusion, Diversity and Social Responsibility. We truly believe our employees’ diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are a powerful contributor to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and reach their maximum potential while adding value to both our organization and our clients. We warmly welcome candidates of diverse origin, background, ability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and personality. Another fundamental value at State Street is active engagement with our communities around the world, both as a partner and a leader. You will have tools to help balance your professional and personal life, paid volunteer days, matching gift programs and access to employee networks that help you stay connected to what matters to you.

State Street is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Discover more at StateStreet.com/careers

Salary Range:

The range quoted above applies to the role in the primary location specified. If the candidate would ultimately work outside of the primary location above, the applicable range could differ.

Job Application Disclosure:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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