Beginning My Commercial Management Experience

From my very first interview with Sara Baker, Global Head of Commercial Management, I learnt more about CJC and the role of Commercial Management (CM), and I knew I was eager to become part of the company. Since joining, my experience has only strengthened my interest in the industry and given me a much clearer understanding of what CM involves and how it supports both clients and the wider business.

As someone who was completely new to the corporate working environment, I initially found the idea of entering professional life quite daunting. However, everyone at CJC has made me feel extremely welcome and supported. I have really enjoyed working alongside my team, learning from others, asking questions and getting involved in a variety of different tasks. This has helped me become more confident in communicating, contributing ideas and taking on new responsibilities.

Working With Client Requirements and Market Data

While working with the CM team, I have supported a range of client-related activities and gained a better understanding of the important role the team plays within CJC. CM works closely with clients to understand their market data requirements, manage relationships with data vendors and help deliver suitable solutions. The team also works closely with other areas of the business to ensure that client requirements are understood, managed and delivered effectively.
During my first month, I have supported a variety of tasks, ranging from day-to-day operational activities to more detailed projects. For example, I have helped maintain and update market data inventories, ensuring that information is accurate, up to date and clearly recorded. This has involved working with information relating to different market data products and vendors, which has helped me understand how much detail needs to be considered when managing market data requirements.

I have also supported the team with client-related requests and data analysis, helping to gather and organise information required to respond to client needs. This has given me an insight into how the team takes a client’s requirements and works through the relevant information to help identify an appropriate solution. Although my role has been supportive, it has allowed me to see how smaller tasks contribute to larger client projects and how important accuracy and attention to detail are.

One of the main things I have learnt is how complex and varied market data requirements can be. Through working with the CM team, I have seen that different clients can require very different types of data, with requests ranging from straightforward processing and information gathering to larger and more complex projects. This has helped me understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and that the team needs to understand each client’s specific requirements before determining the appropriate solution.

Another area I have learnt more about is the commercial side of market data. I have gained an understanding of how financial institutions manage relationships with market data vendors, including vendor contracts, licensing, pricing and associated costs. This has helped me see that market data involves managing the commercial and contractual requirements associated with accessing and using that data.

I have also started to become more familiar with industry terminology used by the CM team, particularly around market data vendors, client requirements, inventories, contracts, licensing and costs. Being exposed to this terminology through my day-to-day work has helped me understand how these different areas connect and how they contribute to the management of market data.

Building Skills in A Professional Environment

My communication and confidence have also improved significantly. Through working closely with the CM team, I have become more comfortable asking questions, contributing to discussions and sharing my own ideas. For example, when working on tasks with the team, I have been able to ask questions to clarify requirements and then communicate my findings or progress to colleagues. This has helped me become more confident when speaking with others and contributing to team discussions, particularly when working on tasks that were unfamiliar to me.

I have also developed my Excel skills through working with market data and maintaining information. I have become more confident in organising and managing data in spreadsheets, using tools such as filters and sorting to work through information more efficiently, and ensuring that data is presented clearly and accurately. This has helped me understand how Excel can be used as an important tool for managing and analysing large amounts of information.

Alongside Excel, I have become more comfortable using new software and internal systems. Learning how to navigate these systems and understanding how they are used within the team has helped me become more independent when completing tasks. I have also learnt that being adaptable and willing to learn new tools is important when working with different types of market data and client requirements.

Another thing that has really stood out to me is how collaborative and supportive the CM team is. As someone new to the corporate working environment, I have had a lot to learn, but everyone has been extremely approachable and willing to help. For example, when I have been working on unfamiliar tasks or have not fully understood something, members of the team have taken the time to explain the process, answer my questions and talk me through what I needed to do. This has made me feel comfortable asking questions rather than being afraid of making mistakes and has helped me learn much more quickly.

Looking Back on My First Month At CJC

One of the things I have enjoyed most is being able to take the knowledge I have gained from studying Finance at university and apply it in a professional environment. It has been rewarding to see how concepts I have learnt academically can be applied to real-world situations, client requirements and the work CJC carries out.

I have also been incredibly grateful for the support and guidance I have received from Catherine Ottway, Commercial Management Team Lead, since joining CJC. Her support, alongside that of the wider CM team, has helped me settle into the professional environment and learn more about the role. Being able to sit with the team and learn directly from them has been a fantastic opportunity, particularly as I have been able to gain this experience alongside my university studies.

I have really enjoyed my first month at CJC and feel that I have already learnt a great deal. I am excited to continue learning, developing my skills and building on everything I have taken from my first month as I progress through my time at CJC.