Director - Investment Operations UK

At MFS, you will find a culture that supports you in doing what you do best. Our employees work together to reach better outcomes, favoring the strongest idea over the strongest individual. We put people first and demonstrate care and compassion for our community and each other. Because what we do matters – to us as valued professionals and to the millions of people and institutions who rely on us to help them build more secure and prosperous futures.

THE ROLE

Using discretion and judgment, oversees the Operations teams based in the London office as well as those teams based in other MFS locations and MFS’ offshore operations hub. Additionally, also provides oversight to the Technology teams in the London Office. Provide support to the investment and client support teams. Using industry knowledge, influence the designing of process flow and procedures with regard to best practices. Director – Investment Operations UK will be the primary point of escalation for time sensitive operational decision-making arising in the London office and owns the resolution of issues related to operations affecting the London office. This individual will need to develop relationships, both locally and globally, ensuring all relevant parties are kept abreast of critical issues in a timely manner.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Provides oversight for Operations personnel based in the London office; influences the priority and allocation of work; provides guidance and direction based the firm’s priorities.
• Utilizes strong understanding and general experience in end-to-end operations workflows, including transitions of client accounts, cash flows, order management and trade support, data management, settlements, cash management, corporate actions, reporting and performance to problem solve and identify interdependencies. Works across various teams in Operations based in other MFS offices as well as MFS’ offshore/outsourced operations hub.
• Provide strategic leadership and daily oversight of MFS’ Operations Offshore Hub ensuring alignment with MFS standards and business objectives. Oversees the individual MFS onshore teams in the performance of their offshoring oversight responsibilities.
• Cultivates and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the Offshore Hub process leaders (with partner entity) and resources to ensure seamless communication, alignment on objectives, and mutual accountability for operational performance and improvement.
• Proactively identify strategic risks associated with the offshoring model, including staffing, training, key dependency risks, and alignment with long-term goal and develop and implement strategies and mechanisms to mitigate these risks.
• Monitors existing internal controls, process and data workflows and work assignments and ensures that procedures are consistently followed.
• Operates as the primary local escalation point for Operations related issues (across internal processes, external providers such as custodian, brokers, vendors) and serves as a liaison with teams in other locations to actively evaluate, provide solutions, and respond in a timely manner. Working with groups across MFS, owns the resolution of issues related to operations that arise in the London office.
• Act as the designated lead for the Senior Manager and Certification Regime (SMCR) for Operations and Technology, and serves as a member of the UK Executive Steering Committee.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance for all regulatory requirements applicable to Operations areas in the London office. Works with cross functional teams to interpret new rules and regulations as it relates to implications on Operations as a function and trains teams accordingly.
• Leads or participates in inter/intra department teams, including MFS’ offshore/outsourced operations hub, to drive operational excellence by enhancing processes, improving service for all relevant stakeholders and minimizing processing risks.
• Ensures that there is effective and regular communication between the Operations teams based in London, other MFS offices and offshore/outsourced operations hub, and other departments at MFS, with a specific focus on Investments, Trading and Client Services. Collaborates and exerts influence with the applicable leadership in other MFS offices.
• Participates in client facing meetings, due diligence reviews and meets with certain 3rd party vendors on a regular basis.
• Identifies risks, causes of risks, and implements appropriate controls to mitigate those risks before they become issues or errors.
• Identifies opportunities to better leverage technology in order to streamline manual processes.
• Makes recommendations regarding employment, performance measurement, compensation, training, development and other related personnel activities in line with local requirements and norms.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as requested.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent work experience in similarly situated companies.
• Substantial experience within Investment Management.
• Experience with both retail and Institutional clients desired.
• Experience in working with offshore/outsourced operations models required.
• Experience with key external stakeholders such as custodians, brokers required.
• Experience in operational activities across all asset classes desired. Knowledge and experience with fixed income and derivatives would be preferred.
• Strong technical background in operations.
• Experience working in a diverse environment where production, controls, and daily deadlines are required.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong attention to detail, strong leadership skills and demonstrated organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a matrix reporting structure.
• Ability to interact with individuals at all levels of the organization.