Trading & Portfolio Implementation Associate at First Foundation Advisors – Irvine, California

At Sunflower Bank, N.A., we’re experiencing great growth. Since our founding in 1892, we've been committed to serving our communities and supporting the team members who make it all possible. As a full-service financial institution, we offer a full range of relationship-focused services to meet personal, business, and wealth-management financial objectives. Creating Possibility is not just our mission, it’s what we do every day for clients and associates. Learn more about Sunflower Bank, N.A. at sunflowerbank.com.

Sunflower Bank, N.A./First Foundation Advisors is looking for an energetic, highly motivated individual to fill the position of a full-time Trading & Portfolio Implementation Associate at our Irvine, CA location.

The salary range for this position is $78,000 to $113,000 depending on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and location.

Description:

The Trading & Portfolio Implementation Associate will be part of a team that serves as the hub of construction, optimization, and trading of FFA global portfolios. They will collaborate with client-facing teams to manage, monitor, and create better solutions for implementation and execute those solutions. They will gain proficiency across a broad range of investment mandates and asset classes, overseeing portfolio-level activities including trading. Functions may include portfolio construction, restrictions management, monitoring asset exposures, trading and allocations, managing client-specific requests, and tax management. The Associate will initiate trades/rebalances and monitor the portfolios on an ongoing basis. This role is a crossover between trading and implementation; functions include day-to-day system maintenance workflows, reporting, trading, modeling, and settlement of fixed income, equity, and mutual funds trades, as well as trade reconciliation and post-execution allocation.

Responsibilities:

• Employee is responsible for adherence to all compliance programs and the completion of all required and assigned training by established due dates
• Understands and complies with the requirements of all laws and regulations applicable to the position
• Execution of equity, mutual funds, and fixed-income trades as needed/directed by senior traders
• Implementation of portfolio allocations in accordance with FFA’s investment philosophy, process, and tactical portfolio positioning via systematic processes and protocol
• Invest new accounts per investment parameters and risk profiles
• Manage and organize the trading inbox – alerting the team of priority items and filing completed items
• Trading wrap program accounts - organize blocks and enter orders for portfolio positioning. Complete analysis and resolution of special account trading situations
• Participate in regularly scheduled account review with client-facing teams to stay current on the investment process, positioning, trades, and alignment of portfolio construction to FFA-approved models and asset allocations.
• Implement investment decisions and facilitate the investment process through model management, risk/dispersion reporting, and trade proposals for model adherence.
• Learn and leverage new tools in the order management system, working with programmers to advocate for necessary development and acting as a liaison to end-users.
• Model Global trades for multiple strategies, including calculation of shares/weights, following the necessary steps for account exclusions due to cash, trade size, and restrictions, and support for allocations.
• Aid with administrative trading tasks – filing trade errors, maintaining responses from the sales team, and working with new brokers to complete necessary onboarding paperwork.
• Running and compiling reports: Master Trade Blotter, Global Trade Reports, TCA Reports, etc.
• Reconcile soft dollar commissions from brokers in conjunction with Account Services and Billing
• Record and update trading processes for compliance and future reference
• Participate and contribute to departmental projects and initiatives
• Processing after/pre-market trading procedures - reconciliation across multiple trading platforms, contra-brokers, and custodians, as well as following up on back-office settlement issues
• Contribute to general risk management, process improvement, knowledge development, and cross-training efforts
• Aid/assist Sr. Traders and perform ad hoc tasks as assigned (i.e., Data analysis or ad hoc reporting)
• Run Proprietary Strategy analytics, weekly performance, and quarterly rebalancing.
• Compile data and create tear sheets for internally managed funds.
• Perform the job in accordance with applicable industry laws and regulations as well as the policies and procedures established by the company.
• Responsible for upholding Fair and Responsible Banking practices and Code of Ethics and Conduct guidelines.
• Understand and participate in the Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business, Finance, Accounting, or Economics
• Minimum of 2 to 3 years of related experience required
• Experience in trading/securities preferred
• Experience with Python/AI workflow automation or demonstrated aptitude and eagerness to learn.
• Experience with Advent/Orion products preferred
• Advanced proficiency with Excel & PowerPoint. VBA and/or financial modeling skills are a plus.
• Understanding of systems, software, and information/data infrastructure
• Highly organized and able to adapt to change
• The ability to prioritize, multitask, and work effectively with a team in a deadline-driven environment
• An ability to think holistically, understand end-to-end processes, and reconsider the status quo. A proactive and inquisitive approach toward new challenges and problem-solving
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with all levels of personnel
• Must be bondable.

Working Conditions

The physical demands of this position require the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Employees may spend extended periods sitting or standing, using hands to operate computers or other equipment, and reaching for work-related tasks. Regular walking may be required, along with occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, or climbing. The role may involve lifting or moving items weighing up to 10 pounds. Vision requirements include close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Sunflower Bank Benefits

People choose to “bank” with us, but for those we serve, we’re more than a bank. We strive to be the financial backbone of their lives, and we know that starts with our team.

Our supportive culture empowers team members to grow and seize new opportunities. Like our namesake, the sunflower, we are:

• Rooted in Strength
• Propelled by Growth
• Individuals in a Great Whole
• Creating Possibility
• Community Focused

Associates enjoy outstanding benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan with 6% Match
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• Volunteer Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Plus many more associate perks & incentives!

If you qualify, apply online at www.sunflowerbank.com/careers.

You’ve never worked anyplace like Sunflower Bank!

EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Disabled/Vets

Sunflower Bank, N.A. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Open until filled; early application encouraged. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days.

If you are a California resident, you may be entitled to certain rights regarding your personal information, which is information that identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked with a particular California resident or household. Additional information about our data collection practices and location-specific notices is available on our privacy policy.