Senior Associate

Job Description Summary

Job Description Summary

For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking.

In our collegial environment that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll be motivated to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences.

We are committed to improving an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences increases the potential of both the individual and the firm.

HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.

The Senior Associate, TPA Relationship Management will take on a meaningful role coordinating the operational delivery and optimization of private‑markets products supported by third‑party administrators (TPAs). This individual is the primary accountable party for day-to-day management, performance review, resolving customer concerns, and nurturing relationships with TPAs and internal team members.

The ideal candidate brings strong fund administration knowledge, outstanding relationship management capabilities, and the ability to navigate complex, cross‑functional operating models. This is an opportunity to influence operational excellence across a growing global platform.

This position will be a hybrid work arrangement. You will receive 18 remote workdays per quarter to use at your discretion, subject to manager approval. For example, you may choose to work in the office 4 days per week and take one remote day weekly (typically 13 weeks per quarter), leaving 5 additional remote days to be used as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Oversight & Performance Management

• Monitor day‑to‑day TPA performance, ensuring adherence to SLAs, important metrics, and quality standards across fund accounting, reporting, investor services, and operations.
• Partner with Operations and Product teams to build, refine, and track SLA/benchmark frameworks to measure performance objectively.
• Assess operational risk, evaluate trade‑offs, and raise issues appropriately to ensure timely resolution and alignment with governance standards.

Third‑Party Administrator (TPA) Relationship Management

• Act as a primary contact for TPAs, encouraging strong working relationships that support accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Manage change requests with TPAs and coordinate implementation across internal and external collaborators.
• Consolidate business needs to scale service provider capabilities and improve efficiency across the enterprise.

Strategic Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Find opportunities to enhance operational processes, improve accuracy, and reduce cycle times.
• Participate in central initiatives and ad‑hoc projects that support the team’s mission and broader organizational goals.
• Leverage data, technology, and analytics tools to optimize workflow and support decision‑making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive fund administration knowledge, preferably in private markets (private equity, private credit, real assets, or fund‑of‑funds).
• Extensive TPA oversight experience, including performance monitoring, SLA/benchmark management, and vendor relationship building.
• Outstanding ability to prioritize various tasks effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong collaborator engagement skills, capable of building positive relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex operational topics clearly and succinctly.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross‑functionally and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• A strategic problem solver with hands‑on problem‑solving skills and a dedication to operational excellence.
• Proactive approach to identifying and applying industry guidelines to drive efficiency and scale.

Education Preferred

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field, or equivalent experience.

MBA, accounting qualification, or other advanced credentials are a plus but not required.

Experience

5–8 years of experience in fund administration, investment operations, or operational roles involving direct client interaction, preferably within private markets.

#LI-Hybrid

Base Salary Range

$110,000.00 - $120,000.00

This USD base salary range represents only one component of total compensation for this role and is provided in accordance with local requirements. This role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, which is determined based on individual and overall firm performance. In addition to salary and bonus, total compensation may include eligibility for long-term reward programs and a comprehensive total rewards package that may include retirement, health, insurance, paid time off, and wellness programs. Our total rewards offerings are influenced by several business factors, and eligibility for certain components will vary by position and geography. Please note the posted ranges do not apply outside the U.S. and should not be converted to other currencies as a proxy for compensation in other countries.