Senior Manager (Operations)

Alpha Financial Markets Consulting; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Alpha Financial Markets Consulting (Alpha FMC) is a leading global consultancy focused on asset and wealth management. We are seeking a senior consultant to deliver complex client engagements and lead cross-functional teams in Edinburgh and broader UK operations.

The role emphasises strategy development, post-trade expertise, and strong stakeholder management. You will work with blue-chip clients, contribute to business development, and mentor junior staff while staying ahead of market trends in

Qualifications

• 7-10 years proven experience delivering consulting or change projects in a financial institution or consulting firm.
• Experience in blue-chip financial services organisations, preferably Asset Managers or Asset Services.
• Experience on Target Operating Model, business processes and/or technology solutions in Middle Office Operations.
• Experience with IBOR curation or related market tech tools.
• Knowledge of Market developments impacting Asset Management operations.
• Strong relationship development and client account management skills.
• Senior stakeholder management and influencing skills; ability to lead and mentor teams.

Responsibilities

• Managing successful client engagements to achieve high client satisfaction, including managing Alpha team and contractors.
• Developing strategies and delivering high-quality work products within timeframes and budgets.
• Coordinating with diverse stakeholders to implement recommendations and optimising client resources.
• Analyzing current client state, building proposals and supporting implementation of solutions.
• Conducting research, surveys and interviews to discuss organisational problems with clients.
• Monitoring progress, managing risks and keeping stakeholders informed of outcomes.
• Reviewing processes and documentation, flagging deviations and proposing improvements.
• Staying current with asset and wealth management industry trends, particularly post-trade operations.
• Identifying and pursuing client/vendor relationships and business development opportunities.
• Supporting the Operations Practice to evolve offerings and contributing to account management and financial oversight.

Skills

Client management

Stakeholder management

Business development

Leadership

Communication

Presentation skills

Travel willingness

Education

Degree 2:1 or higher

Job description

Alpha Financial Markets Consulting (Alpha FMC) is the leading global consultancy to the asset and wealth management industry. We are a boutique management consulting firm that offers the world’s top asset and wealth managers a competitive edge through our expertise and industry insight. Our team is of a uniquely high calibre and by focusing on asset and wealth management alone we build deep knowledge and experience within our industry. We work with a blue-chip client base, including 80% of the top 50 global asset management firms, and work with over 660 clients across the globe. We have our headquarters located in the United Kingdom and offices in other major European financial centres (Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany) and globally across United States, Canada and Asia-Pacific.

Following a hugely successful AIM listing where Alpha listed with a market cap of £160m in 2017, the company enjoyed further substantial growth before selling to one of the world's leading quoted private asset growth investors (Bridgepoint) for £626m in August 2024. As such, we are now at a critical turning point in our growth. We are looking to grow the company across all levels. Pivotal to our success in this, we will be assembling the next generation of leaders, responsible for growing, elevating our market position further and nurturing the junior talent through the business. At Alpha, we pride ourselves in fostering a meritocratic environment perfect for building a career and meeting great people, as well as a rewarding place to work.

Our UK Operations practice works with Asset Managers, Asset Owners and Wealth Managers in their post-trade operations along with Asset Servicers whose capabilities support such activities. From supporting clients with individual operational challenges, through to transitioning significant operations, we deliver real change to our client’s Middle and Back Office setups. We are seeking additional specialists to join our growing team as we take on some of our industries most exciting initiatives. Our UK Operations practice is one of the three foundational pillar practices in the Asset & Wealth Management boutique; we are one of Alpha’s largest and fast growing practices.

Role Responsibilities

• Managing highly successful client engagements to achieve strong client satisfaction rating – including management of Alpha team and potentially contractors too
• Developing strategies and driving high-quality work products within expected timeframes on budget
• Delivering strategies by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership
• Analysing the client current state, developing proposals, and assisting and implementing recommendations or solutions to ensure the best use of clients’ resources
• Conducting research, surveys and interviews and discussing organisational problems with clients
• Monitoring progress, managing risks and ensuring key stakeholders are kept informed about progress of project and expected outcomes to ensure client efficiency
• Reviewing current processes, analysing client organisational reports and other documentation, researching new methods and procedures and flagging deviations from standard procedures
• Staying abreast of current business and industry trends relevant to the client's business, with a particular focus on Operations within the Post-Trade space
• Identifying and executing appropriate client/vendor entertainment opportunities
• Develop and maintain long-term client / vendor relationships and networks
• Making a strong contribution towards business development, including supporting the Operations Practice to innovate and evolve its offerings to our clients
• Undertaking effective account management including financial management

Role Requirements (Skills, Experience and Qualifications)

• A minimum of 7-10 years proven experience in the delivery of consulting or change projects, gained within a leading financial institution or consulting firm
• Significant experience within ‘blue-chip’ Financial Services organisations, preferably Asset Managers, Asset Services or within market-leading technology vendors to our industry
• Experience of projects engaged on Target Operating Model, business processes and/or technology solutions in Middle Office Operations, across all or some of the following areas:
• Investment Book of Records (IBOR) curation, either in an in-house or outsourced model
• Experience in BlackRock’s Aladdin or State Street’s Alpha
• Complex Post-Trade operations including Collateral Management, Securities Financing / Lending
• Incorporation of market developments impacting Asset Management Operations, such as introductions of LTAFs / ELTIFs, digital and crypto assets
• Further experience and understanding of Asset Management operations, is desired, across:
• A variety of Fund structures from vanilla open-ended funds, to closed-ended products, through to GP / LP structures and ETFs;
• Handling both liquid and illiquid securities across the public and private markets
• Demonstrable proficiency in relationship development and client account management
• A network of executive contacts across the industry and proven experience of Business Development
• Senior stakeholder management and influencing skills, demonstrated with clients and colleagues
• Ability to show initiative when dealing with clients, form strong relationships with new clients, and maintain existing relationships
• Superb interpersonal skills, with ability to influence and lead
• The ability to proffer good mentorship and coaching skills towards other team members
• An in-depth understanding of market trends, drivers and outlook of the Asset and Wealth Management market
• Strong academic background including a minimum of a 2:1 degree from a leading institution
• First-class communication, presentation and problem-solving skills
• Business language fluency in English
• Willingness to travel