About The Role
The Principal Officer (PO) serves as the key regulatory, governance, and strategic leadership function for the AIF at GIFT City. The role is responsible for ensuring that all activities of the FME, including fund management, risk management, compliance, and stakeholder engagement, are conducted in accordance with applicable IFSCA, SEBI regulations, and various circulars and guidelines issued thereunder, with a strong focus on investor protection, ethical conduct, and transparency. The PO acts as the primary interface with IFSCA and other regulatory authorities while supporting business growth initiatives through engagement with institutional partners, fund houses, banking partners, distributors, and ecosystem participants. The role ensures the firm operates within the highest standards of compliance and governance while facilitating strategic partnerships and achieving investment objectives in the best interest of investors.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory & Governance Compliance:
- Ensure full adherence to IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations and internal compliance frameworks.
- Serve as the principal liaison with IFSCA; oversee all filings, reports, and disclosures.
- Report any non-compliance immediately and ensure corrective action.
- Review and strengthen internal controls and risk frameworks
Fund & Investment Oversight:
- Oversee portfolio and fund management in line with scheme objectives and investor interests.
- Monitor investment limits, valuation, and reporting accuracy.
- Ensure transparent and fair investor communication.
Business Development & Strategic Partnerships:
- Oversee portfolio and fund management in line with scheme objectives and investor interests.
- Monitor investment limits, valuation, and reporting accuracy.
- Ensure transparent and fair investor communication.
- Drive strategic business development initiatives to support growth of the AIF/FME platform through institutional partnerships and new fund opportunities.
- Build and manage relationships with domestic and international funds, banking partners, distributors, fund houses, custodians, and financial institutions to support onboarding, partnership development, and execution.
- Identify and facilitate strategic collaborations, investor acquisition opportunities, and cross-functional coordination for product positioning, due diligence, and commercial execution.
Investor Protection & Grievance Handling:
- Review investor complaints periodically and ensure prompt resolution.
- Maintain high standards of disclosure and client communication.
Ethics & Conduct:
- Uphold IFSCA's Code of Conduct – integrity, honesty, fairness, and transparency.
- Avoid conflicts of interest and ensure all dealings are at arm's length.
- Comply with internal policies on gifts, entertainment, and ethical behaviour.
Leadership & Coordination:
- Coordinate Compliance, Fund Management, Risk, and Operations for regulatory alignment.
- Present periodic compliance and governance updates to the Board.
- Foster a culture of ethics, discipline, and accountability.
Qualification/Experience:
- Professionally qualified individual and a member of ICAI / ICSI / ICMAI, or holder of a post-graduate qualification or diploma (minimum one year) in finance, law, accountancy, business management, commerce, economics, capital markets, banking, insurance, or actuarial science; or qualifications such as CFA, FRM, or any other certification approved by the Authority.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in securities or financial products in roles such as portfolio/fund manager, investment advisor, broker, investment banker, wealth manager, research analyst, credit rating analyst, market infrastructure professional, financial regulator, or consultant in areas like fund management, due diligence, or transaction advisory.
- Prior exposure to PMS/AIF operations is desirable.
- Strong understanding of IFSCA/SEBI frameworks and fund governance standards.
Key Skills & Competencies
- High level of integrity, accountability, and professional ethics.
- Customer-centric mindset with a strong commitment to a long-term role.
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently within a lean team structure and take complete ownership of assigned deliverables.
- Sound understanding of securities market regulations and proven ability to implement compliance frameworks in practice.
