Middle Office Operations Analyst

Position Overview

Escala Partners is hiring for a Middle Office Operations Associate for casual employment (3 days/week). This person will take ownership of ongoing administrative and operational processes to support our client experience. This role supports front-line investment teams by improving efficiency, reducing manual workload, and ensuring accuracy and timeliness in all processes. The position serves as a bridge between the front office and back office, enhancing scalability and allowing Investment Assistants to focus on client-facing and analytical priorities.

This role is located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 

Primary Responsibilities

Operational Task Ownership

• Manage ongoing middle office activities such as client onboarding, asset transfers, cash payments, data entry, reconciliation, account maintenance, and report preparation.
• Maintain and update databases, CRM systems, and internal records.

Process Streamlining

• Assist with the transition of key tasks to middle office
• Develop workflows, templates, and checklists to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
• Collaborate with Operations Manager and Investment Assistants to continuously refine processes.

Quality Control and Risk Management

• Maintain high data integrity across systems and reporting outputs.
• Ensure adherence to compliance, operational risk, and data governance standards.
• Perform regular reconciliations between internal systems and external custodians or counterparties.

Collaboration and Support

• Work closely with Investment Assistants, Associates, Advisors, and Operations teams to ensure seamless workflow handovers.
• Serve as a central point of contact for operational inquiries and task tracking.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in investment operations, middle office, or similar function.
• Prior experience supporting investment management or wealth management teams preferred.
• Familiarity with automation or process improvement tools.
• Strong understanding of investment operations and account administration.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in data handling.
• Proficiency with MS Excel and experience using investment platforms.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with ability to manage multiple routine tasks.
• Effective communicator with collaborative, service-oriented mindset.

Focus is a leading partnership of fiduciary wealth management and related financial services firms. Focus provides access to best practices, greater resources, and continuity planning for its affiliated advisory firms, which serve individuals, families, employers, and institutions with comprehensive financial services. Focus firms and their clients benefit from the solutions, synergies, scale, economics, and best practices offered by Focus to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus, please visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com.

The following language is for US based roles only

For California Applicants: Information on your California privacy rights can be found here

For Indiana Applicants: It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by refusing to employ an applicant on the basis that they are a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component.

For Maryland Applicants: I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A POLYGRAP OR SIMILAR TEST.  AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100. 

For Massachusetts Applicants: 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 shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. 

For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901.

For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation.  The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.