Compliance and Operations Associate

We are seeking a sharp, detail-oriented Compliance and Operations Associate to anchor our compliance and operational engine within a SEBI-registered financial advisory and Portfolio Management Services firm. This dual-mandate role involves dedicating roughly 70 percent of your time to regulatory compliance and 30 percent to operations. You will serve as the backbone of the firm, ensuring we stay ahead of SEBI obligations while keeping day-to-day operations running seamlessly. The ideal candidate combines regulatory precision with operational acumen and thrives in a lean, high-ownership environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all SEBI regulatory matters, filings, and correspondence related to Investment Adviser and Portfolio Manager registrations.
• Ensure timely submission of all periodic regulatory filings, including net-worth certificates, half-yearly compliance reports, and mandated disclosures.
• Maintain and update statutory registers, records, and documentation in strict adherence to SEBI requirements.
• Monitor, interpret, and implement SEBI circulars and regulatory updates, proactively briefing senior management on material changes.
• Lead preparation for SEBI inspections, internal audits, and third-party compliance reviews, managing all correspondence professionally.
• Oversee client-level compliance, including AML and KYC framework adherence, client suitability assessments, and periodic KYC refreshes.
• Handle client grievance management and timely resolution reporting via the SEBI SCORES platform.
• Review marketing materials, client communications, and investment proposals for regulatory compliance before dissemination.
• Manage end-to-end client onboarding workflows across platforms such as BSE Star MF and NSE NMF II, ensuring accuracy and regulatory completeness.
• Manage daily operations, including transaction processing, portfolio reporting, corporate action tracking, and documentation management.
• Identify process gaps and establish Standard Operating Procedures to ensure consistency, auditability, and business continuity.
• Develop and maintain a vendor management framework, negotiate contracts, and conduct periodic vendor compliance audits.
• Build and maintain operational and compliance dashboards, conduct regular risk reviews, and prepare periodic management reports.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 2 to 4 years of hands-on experience in a SEBI-regulated entity, such as a Portfolio Management Services firm, Registered Investment Adviser, AMC, broking firm, or fintech platform.
• Bachelor of Laws with a finance or corporate law focus, or an MBA in Finance, CA, CS, or a Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Commerce with relevant experience.
• Demonstrable experience managing SEBI compliance, including regulatory filings, statutory records, and direct engagement with SEBI inspections.
• Prior exposure to AML and KYC frameworks, client suitability norms, SCORES grievance management, and operational compliance activities.
• Strong working knowledge of SEBI Portfolio Managers Regulations and SEBI Investment Advisers Regulations.
• Familiarity with SEBI’s AML and CFT guidelines, PMLA obligations, and KYC Registration Agency processes.
• Ability to independently read, interpret, and action SEBI circulars and regulatory advisories.
• Proficiency in MS Office, with exposure to compliance management tools or portfolio management software considered a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for regulatory drafting, correspondence, and internal reporting.
• High attention to detail, structured thinking, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Certifications such as NISM Series X-A, NISM Series X-B, or NISM Series XXI-A are highly preferred.