Chief Operations & Technology Officer

LGPS Central; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Chief Operations & Technology Officer to lead their operational infrastructure and technology strategy. This pivotal role involves overseeing investment operations, ensuring alignment with business objectives, and driving digital transformation initiatives. As a strategic leader, you will implement innovative technologies and foster a culture of excellence within a high-performing team. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the future of Local Government Pension Scheme pooling in the UK while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to operational efficiency and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in investment management operations and technology strategy.
• Strong leadership skills with a focus on risk management and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end investment operations and ensure operational resilience.
• Develop technology strategy to enhance operational efficiency and support growth.

Skills

Investment Management Operations

Emerging Financial Technologies

Risk Management

Digital Transformation

Leadership

Regulatory Compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Technology

Master's Degree in Business Administration

Tools

Portfolio Management Systems

AI Technologies

Blockchain Solutions

Cloud Solutions

Job description

The Chief Operations & Technology Officer (COTO) joins LGPS Central at an exciting time for the company and for Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pooling in general with developments in the UK pension landscape.

As the COTO, you will be a key member of the executive leadership team, and will be responsible for overseeing the firm’s operational infrastructure and technology strategy. You will also ensure that technology and investment operations are fully aligned with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and client expectations.

This role requires a strategic leader with a deep understanding of investment management operations, emerging financial technologies, and experience of delivering transformation and operational efficiency programmes within their domain.

This role is a certified role under the Senior Manager’s Certification Regime and will be subject to assessments in Fitness and Propriety and any other regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership

• Oversee the firm’s end-to-end investment operations, including trade execution, settlements, and fund administration and service providers.
• Ensure operational resilience and business continuity planning, mitigating risks associated with market volatility and cyber threats.
• Implement automation and process enhancements to streamline back-office and middle-office functions.
• Maintain a strong culture of risk management, compliance, and internal controls across technology and operations.

Technology Leadership

• Develop and execute a technology strategy that enhances operational efficiency and supports the firm’s growth ambitions.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives, ensuring the implementation of portfolio management systems and adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and cloud solutions.
• Oversee IT governance, cybersecurity, and data protection in line with FCA and global regulatory standards.
• Oversee the service management relationships with technology and investment operation vendors, ensuring best-in-class infrastructure and service delivery.
• Drive innovation in technology for portfolio management, trading platforms, and client engagement tools.
  

Strategic Leadership & Regulatory Compliance

• Serve as a key executive stakeholder in regulatory engagements with the FCA and other governing bodies.
• Collaborate with the Chief Legal Risk and Compliance Officer to ensure technology, operations, and transformation meet all regulatory requirements.
• Provide thought leadership on technology-driven regulatory changes impacting the investment management industry.
• Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to engage, collaborate, coach and inspire.
• Lead a high-performing technology, operations, and transformation team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.