OWEN KAPLAN
New York,N.Y.
Summary
Highly accomplished and results-driven professional with a proven track record in product management and technical expertise. With a keen focus on delivering value to both buy and sell-side firms, I have spearheaded numerous projects, successfully bridging the gap between technical innovation and business objectives. Leveraging a blend of strategic vision and hands-on execution, I have consistently driven product development initiatives to fruition, optimizing processes and enhancing market competitiveness. With a history of collaborating with prominent buy and sell-side firms, I bring extensive experience in navigating complex stakeholder landscapes to deliver innovative solutions that exceed expectations.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Product Operations
Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.
03.2022 - Current
- Develop and implement standardized systems and processes across the firm to provide a high quality, consistent investor experience
- Create product strategy roadmaps to reduce costs, redundancies, and improve internal/external experience
- Engage and work with service providers, including sell-side institutions, fund administrators, technology vendors, custodians, and legal counsel to implement programs and platforms to aid internal teams and external investors
- Work closely with deal teams, developers, technology, and risk teams to scope new or desired functionality and troubleshoot issues, while consistently looking to streamline and automate the internal processes
- Conduct and present business analyses to senior leadership to determine productivity, determine expansion opportunities, and reduce expenses
- Led numerous initiatives which have resulted in reduced costs and increased revenue
- Create detailed metrics and identify key KPIs using sophisticated financial software to improve the investor experience, while following detailed project plans and adhering to strict timelines for delivery
- Write test scripts, conduct user testing and training, and spearhead the launch communications to all relevant users
- Spearhead the creation of PowerBi dashboards to aid numerous business workstreams with examining costs, onboarding expenses, and overall fund performance.
Associate Director, Product Management
S&P Global (Managing the Cerberus Capital Management L.P. Relationship)
05.2020 - 03.2022
- Built, designed, implemented, and maintained sophisticated platforms for multi-billion dollar buy-side and sell-side clients, while boosting efficiency, productivity, and decreasing costs for our clients
- Implemented sophisticated, technology driven systems across numerous buy-side (Hedge Funds, Investment Managers, Asset Owners) and sell-side (Banks, Broker-Dealers) organizations; support and implement all product enhancements and updates
- Led in-person meetings with clients to build relationships, established an on-going governance structure, updated clients on product and system enhancements, and worked to ensure the client's ongoing satisfaction
- Executed cross-functional initiatives across multiple workstreams; managed IT and non-IT deliverables in coordination with front office, supported functions, and technology teams
- Coordinated client trainings for proprietary technology ensure personal and client compliance with all company policies and procedures
- Created, designed, and built brochures, pitch decks, and marketing presentations for trillion-dollar organizations
- Organized and facilitated product planning, reviews, retrospectives, sprint and release planning, demos, and ensure assigned projects meet overall performance.
Vice President/Project Manager
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) - Gartland & Mellina Group
02.2018 - 04.2020
- Worked within RBC as a Managing Consultant, providing subject matter expertise and offering guidance and information on numerous financial topics, including Product Management, Credit, Onboarding, Client Service, and Process Improvement
- Managed a team of four in a client-facing role, working extensively in project management, process improvement, and developing new systems to aid in boosting efficiency for our clients
- Consulted with front office business heads to develop and maintain robust models, processes, and improve efficiencies
- Developed and maintained a central database of all investors, to assist in the standardization of investor reporting and the drafting of investor updates and/or topical newsletters
- Was responsible for the collection, analysis, and documentation of a client's business requirements, aiding in stronger client relationships
- Designed, built, and tested a multitude of sophisticated Excel based tools used extensively across numerous workstreams
- Collected, analyzed, and organized a large amount of information and data dealing with current business processes
- Created and maintained a strategic game plan that is capable of integrating finance, communication, business development, and securities law compliance to enable the most effective communication between RBC and our investors/customers.
Senior Associate-Credit/Client Product Services
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
07.2015 - 02.2018
- Provided trade settlement, cash management, and asset servicing support to Global Custody clients
- Clients include Hedge Funds, financial institutions, and private equity organizations
- Also assisted in the responsibility for all escalation responsibilities
- Served as an advisor to the clients as they onboard/transition/convert to/from their organization across numerous different products, including Fixed Income, Equities, Derivatives, and Loans
- Worked diligently by interacting and communicating with a variety of high-net-worth clients in a cross-product role
- Processed subscription and redemption documents, as well as detailed monthly, quarterly, yearly financial statements
- Established and maintained relationships with operations, middle office clients, and front office for respective clients; obtained and reviewed the appropriate documentation and data and ensured regulatory aspects were met
- Performed root cause analysis to make processes more efficient for both JPMorgan as well as the clients
- Worked with the largest clients at JPMorgan, with clients going through an 18-month RFP
- Was instrumental in the execution of the RFP, where the outcome was a $750B gain in Assets under Management (AUM)
- Met with clients in person to perform client service requests as well as establish a strong and lasting relationship.
Client/Account Operations Associate
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
11.2012 - 07.2015
- Worked directly with Relationship Managers on onboarding/exiting clients and accounts with front/middle office for over 500 hedge funds and fund of fund relationships
- I was the primary contact at HSBC for over 100 total relationships
- Project Manager- accessed all incoming projects and deem what resources were needed to complete the projects on time
- Provided support for Sales Desks, Traders, Operations, and Business Development on specific products to open/close
- Monitored progress and maintained detailed records of clients identified for future business; collected all documentation
- Identified and researched any potential financial risk/breaches to HSBC and escalated claims accordingly
- Worked under strict deadlines, and ensured all projects went smoothly while incorporating the Project Management Lifecycle
- Computed and prepared weekly metrics for senior management using Macros, vlookups, Pivot Tables, Visio, etc
- Interacted and researched a variety of products- Fixed Income, Derivatives, Equities, Options, and Foreign Exchange.
Investor Relations/Systems Coordinator
Columbus Avenue Consulting Firm
05.2011 - 10.2012
- Worked directly with the COO performing consulting duties for more than 75 hedge funds
- Provided and created web reporting for all active investors
- Accepted and processed subscription/redemption documents
- Provided department IT support and network support for over 50 employees, work with AML/KYC/World Compliance
- Provided IT assistance to investors and managers who experienced problems with the company's services and servers
- Computed, prepared, and distributed monthly account statements for each investor
- Established and maintained cash escrow accounts for all active hedge fund accounts.
Education
B.S. Economics - College of Liberal Arts
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA05.2011
Skills
- Advanced in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Project, Visio, PowerBi); multiple CRM systems, Excel Formulas and Macros (pivot tables, v-lookups, etc)
- Strong knowledge of financial products (Fixed Income, Equities, Derivatives, Credit, Repo, Swaps, etc)
- Typing ability of 92 WPM (Words per Minute)
- Proficient in Spanish, conversational in Polish
Timeline
Vice President, Product Operations
Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.
03.2022 - Current
Associate Director, Product Management
S&P Global (Managing the Cerberus Capital Management L.P. Relationship)
05.2020 - 03.2022
Vice President/Project Manager
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) - Gartland & Mellina Group
02.2018 - 04.2020
Senior Associate-Credit/Client Product Services
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
07.2015 - 02.2018
Client/Account Operations Associate
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
11.2012 - 07.2015
Investor Relations/Systems Coordinator
Columbus Avenue Consulting Firm
05.2011 - 10.2012
B.S. Economics - College of Liberal Arts
The Pennsylvania State University