Client Relationship Management

ROBERT O'CONNELL

New York, NY ******@*****.*** 917-***-****

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertoconnell7

SUMMARY

Seasoned Director and Head of Client Relationship Management at Societe Générale Corporate and Investment Banking (SGCIB), with over 10+ years of dedicated experience in the financial services sector. Expert in managing a broad spectrum of portfolios, including hedge funds, equities, bonds, CLOs, fund of hedge funds, 40-act funds, financing, asset managers, and family offices.

I excel in steering cross-functional teams to deliver comprehensive client lifecycle coverage and optimizing client solutions through advanced technology integration. My leadership is marked by a commitment to fostering internal stakeholder partnerships, managing liquidity and risk, and pioneering process innovations that enhance client management efficiency and regulatory compliance.

A holder of multiple FINRA certifications, my product expertise spans credit facilities, pre-paid forwards, fund-linked derivatives, repos, and comprehensive asset management, including custody and administration. I am passionate about mentoring and developing diverse teams, enhancing stakeholder relationships, and implementing best practices that drive business growth and client satisfaction.

Dedicated to maintaining a resilient and inclusive corporate culture, I champion change management, strategic vision development, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies to elevate operational outcomes and the client experience. My proactive and analytical approach ensures robust client relationship management and compliance. This positions me as a leader focused on achieving results, mitigating risk, and exceeding client expectations while attaining the client's and senior management's vision.

EXPERIENCE

Director, Head of Client Relationship Management NY, New York

SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE April 2005 – March 2023

●Executive leadership: I directed commercial and operational functions for a team of seven client relationship professionals, spearheading initiatives in business development, strategic planning, cross-selling, and technology enhancement to improve product offerings and recruitment strategies.

●Client Relationship Management: Oversaw the management of 85 institutional client relationships across hedge funds, private equity, and pension funds, handling more than 130 financing transactions annually. We utilized proprietary models to evaluate risk and ensure transactional suitability. Proactively resolved over 550 client issues, coordinating global communications and aligning service strategies with client needs to enhance satisfaction and maintain high retention rates.

●Business Transformation: Led strategic revamps to enhance efficiency and create new business opportunities, significantly improving business performance.

●Stakeholder Engagement: I cultivated enduring relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, enhancing organizational influence and achieving strategic business goals.

●Revenue Growth Through Cross-Selling: Implemented and monitored effective cross-selling strategies within the team, significantly increasing revenue through enhanced multi-functional team collaborations.

●Investment Oversight: Ensured adherence to legal and regulatory compliance across client portfolios, continually assessing diversity, returns, liquidity, and asset management strategies to mitigate risks effectively.

●Client-Centric Solutions Development: Engaged proactively with clients to develop tailored solutions to enhance operational processes and client satisfaction through innovative technological and process improvements.

●Collateral and Risk Management: Collaborating with the chief digital officer, I established comprehensive client reporting guidelines and managed multiple project executions involving user requirement analysis, design specifications, and acceptance testing.

●Process Optimization: Streamlined operations by leading daily engagements across engineering, trading, credit, operations, legal, sales, and middle office teams to swiftly resolve system discrepancies and address client issues.

●Regulatory Compliance and Governance: Maintained strict compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, evaluating portfolio strategies to safeguard against financial risks and ensuring all activities met governance standards.

●Talent Development and Leadership: I supervised and developed a team of seven, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth, which resulted in multiple team promotions.

●Strategic Client Initiatives: Directed comprehensive client engagement strategies within the alternative investments business, ensuring high levels of client service and transparency in investment offerings.

●Global Relationship Management: Developed and maintained high-level relationships across international markets, enabling quick resolution of regulatory and transaction-related inquiries.

●Technology Leadership: Championed significant technology initiatives, including 'System Modernization 2.0', aligning with organizational vision and operational best practices.

VP, Client Relationship Management NY, New York

BANK OF AMERICA June 1997 - April 2005

●Business Startup and Strategy Implementation: I pioneered establishing a hedge fund financing business, analyzing collateral values to determine lending capabilities, and establishing essential transactional guidelines and risk tolerance limits to align with strategic business objectives.

●Client Management Excellence: Spearheaded client relationship management efforts, delivering consistent, high-quality experiences and enhancing accountability and operational execution across all client interactions.

●Financial Strategy and Continuous Improvement: I conducted in-depth analyses of economic strategies, optimized transaction closing processes, and managed daily client loan-to-value ratios on credit facilities and derivatives to boost profitability.

●Third-Party Relationship Management: Maintained robust relationships with custodians, administrators, and securities lending entities, ensuring smooth operational processes and compliance with regulatory standards.

●Credit and Risk Management: Managed daily valuations and transactions for client credit facilities and derivatives, overseeing the completion of necessary documentation and ensuring timely wire transfers.

●Business Growth and Financial Optimization: I drove organic growth initiatives, significantly increasing the return on invested capital and optimizing cash flow processes through strategic oversight and innovative financial management practices.

●Conflict Resolution and Crisis Management: Acted as the primary escalation point for client service delivery concerns, overseeing and resolving critical issues to maintain client trust and business continuity.

EDUCATION & VOLUNTEERING

Siena College, Bachelor of Science, Finance

Licensure: FINRA Series 3, 6, 7, 24, 55, 63, & 79

Advocate: Breast Cancer Awareness/ Advocate: Diamond Blackfin Anemia (DBA) Awareness

SKILLS

Client Relationship Management, Leadership, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Asset Management, Financing, Communication Skills, Innovation, Business Strategies, Self-Motivation, Stakeholder Engagement, Mentoring, Professional Responsibility, Business Process Improvement

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