Investment Operations Manager

Description

About the Organization

George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF®) is a Tulsa-based charitable organization dedicated to providing an equal opportunity for young children in Tulsa through support of early childhood education, community health, social services, and civic enhancement. The investment team manages GKFF’s $5+ billion globally diversified and growing investment portfolio. GKFF is a dynamic non-profit organization with a small talented team of professionals who maintain an entrepreneurial culture as they encounter new projects, opportunities, and challenges every day.

Position Purpose

The Investment Operations Manager ensures accurate, timely, and efficient investment operations, driving better investment decisions that support the foundation’s mission of fostering a growing and vibrant Tulsa. By maintaining a high performing and effective team, the Manager will oversee the management of investment operations and financial processes to align with the foundations philanthropic and financial objectives. 

The George Kaiser Family Foundation investment approach is opportunistic and focuses on valuation and market opportunity – as such the candidate needs to be flexible and interested in working with the whole GKFF team in a generalist style. 

As part of a larger philanthropic team, a successful member of the investment and finance team will be interested and engaged in the philanthropic work done by the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

Responsibilities / Essential Duties

Overall Strategic Focus

• Contribute to leading the investment operations team to efficiently manage operations and financial functions, enabling GKFF’s broader mission.
• Establish an efficient technology stack to produce accurate, real-time results, prioritizing the evaluation and improvement of current processes and systems.
• Ensure consistent compliance with investment policies and procedures while continuously enhancing operational workflows.
• Manage a senior accountant and accountant.

Accounting, Reconciliation & Valuation

• Oversee the accurate and timely recording of all investment transactions in Accounting Book of Record (ABOR) and the Investments Book of Record (IBOR) as applicable.
• Own monthly reconciliations between IBOR, ABOR, cash accounts, and third-party reports.
• Help with the historical data reconciliation project that will ensure accurate long-term investment performance reporting.
• Conduct monthly/quarterly mark-to-market valuations and oversee cash flow forecasting to ensure adequate liquidity for operational and investment needs.
• Support month-end close processes, implementing improvements to enhance accuracy, timeliness, and control.

Transaction & Workflow Management

• Manage the process for all capital calls, distributions, and related investment transactions, including review of tax-related documents (e.g., K-1s) to support 990 filings.
• Evaluate and implement tools to improve workflow, document retention, and email management in the back office.

Systems & Technology Management

• Lead implementation and optimization of investment systems, including Addepar (ADM & Navigator) and NetSuite, ensuring accurate integration between the investment book of record (IBOR) and accounting book of record (ABOR).
• Master and manage the investment system of record, overseeing data input accuracy, reconciliations, and performance reporting.
• Oversee relationships with third-party service providers and technology vendors to ensure optimal service and system performance.

Operational Data Management & Reporting

• Verify all investment data prior to entry into IBOR and ABOR, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Generate recurring and ad hoc reports on portfolio performance, holdings, liquidity, and transactions, benchmarking to underwriting expectations and industry standards.
• Produce and continuously improve Investment Committee and internal reports, updating formats and content as needed based on stakeholder feedback.

Policy, Procedures & Audit Support

• Review, update, and maintain all investment policies and procedures to ensure efficiency, compliance, and alignment with best practices using technology automation as much as possible.
• Proactively recommend and implement process improvements to enhance portfolio management, data integrity, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with investment policies through regular monitoring and reviews.
• Provide critical support for all audit-related investment requests, providing accurate documentation and clear explanations to auditors and other stakeholders.

Special Projects & Strategic Support

• Support the CFO, Investment Operations, on complex projects including historical performance reconciliation, technology implementations, and process redesigns.
• Undertake other duties assigned to support the investment and accounting teams.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with strong academic performance required; finance, accounting, or business administration preferred. If bachelor’s degree is not in accounting, then Masters in accounting preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation preferred.
• At least 6–7 years of progressively responsible experience in investment operations, accounting, performance reporting, or treasury functions—ideally within foundations, endowments, custodians, or institutional investment settings.
• At least 3 years of experience as a public accountant.
• Prior management experience with direct reports.
• Substantial knowledge of private and public investments, including limited partnerships, hedge funds, private equity, stocks, bonds, and derivatives.
• Experience with investment platforms (e.g., Caissa, Addepar) and ERP/accounting systems (e.g., NetSuite) strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills and strong quantitative aptitude.

Skills & Abilities

• Highly motivated, self-directed, detail-oriented, and able to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and thrives in environments with multiple demands, shifting priorities, and constant change.
• Intellectually curious and eager to contribute across a wide range of assignments.
• Learns quickly, synthesizes multiple sources of information, and communicates findings clearly and concisely.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a focus on process improvement and operational efficiency.
• Takes pride in precision and accuracy while meeting deadlines and delivering results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to foster positive working relationships internally and externally.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism and integrity in alignment with the principles of the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
• Comfortable working extensively with computers and technology systems.

Hours and Location

• This position is based at 7030 S. Yale Ave., Suite 600 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
• A typical work week is in-office Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
• The work week will occasionally vary with advance notice depending on scheduled programming and other events; on occasion, may require evening or weekend hours.
• Domestic travel required on occasion. 
• Reliable transportation