Operations – Tax Operations – Associate

About AQR Capital Management

AQR is a global investment firm built at the intersection of financial theory and practical application. We strive to deliver concrete, long-term results by looking past market noise to identify and isolate the factors that matter most, and by developing ideas that stand up to rigorous testing. By putting theory into practice, we have become a leader in alternative strategies and an innovator in traditional portfolio management since 1998.

At AQR, our employees share a common spirit of academic excellence, intellectual honesty and an unwavering commitment to seeking the truth. We’re determined to know what makes financial markets tick – and we’ll ask every question and challenge every assumption. We recognize and respect the power of collaboration and believe transparency and openness to new ideas leads to innovation.

About Operations

Operations has a diverse set of responsibilities, including settling and recording thousands of transactions per day, identifying and mitigating operational risk, and partnering with technology to develop and implement low-touch, streamlined processes. The Operations department continually seeks ways to improve while actively supporting the development of new business, structures, and markets.

The Tax Operations team is a department within Operations focused on the Tax Aware strategies at AQR. The team is responsible for managing platform providers, account onboarding and client inquiries, vendor oversight, and account maintenance and monitoring for our Tax Aware solutions.

The Role

We are looking to hire a full-time Associate/VP to join the Tax Operations team in a Team Lead capacity. The primary responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

Core Responsibilities

• Onboard and monitor Flex SMA accounts to ensure they are reconciled, in good order, and maintain appropriate balances, settings, and positions
• Create and review client reports, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Review vendor reports related to compliance, account settings, and trading activity
• Perform initial and ongoing data analysis related to transition analysis and account onboarding
• Ensure account funding aligns with product selections and requirements
• Monitor daily reconciliations and ensure alignment with custodian records
• Track and monitor end-to-end processes related to Investment Management Agreements and Transition Analysis

Team Lead & Strategic Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day oversight, guidance, and mentorship to junior team members, including task prioritization and workload management
• Act as a subject matter expert across Tax Operations processes, ensuring consistent application of best practices
• Analyze existing workflows to identify inefficiencies and implement scalable process improvements
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, focusing on automation, accuracy, and operational efficiency
• Partner with Technology, Portfolio Management, and Client Service teams to support strategic initiatives and business growth
• Lead or contribute to projects related to process optimization, system enhancements, and operational risk mitigation
• Develop a forward-looking, strategic perspective on operations to support platform evolution and scalability

What You’ll Bring

• Undergraduate degree
• 7-10 years of experience in a financial services institution (prior leadership or mentorship experience preferred)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and improve processes
• Proficiency in Excel and Outlook
• Salesforce experience a plus
• Python or automation experience a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of projects and cross-functional deliverables for Operations - Tax Operations - Associate.
• Collaborate closely with departmental peers and stakeholders to ensure seamless operational continuity.
• Monitor core performance KPIs, troubleshoot bottlenecks, and implement optimization protocols.
• Champion high quality standards, peer reviews, and comprehensive team documentation.