Operations Manager

JCW Group; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

JCW Group is seeking an Operations Manager to lead a boutique RIA's day-to-day operational infrastructure and a team of operations associates. You will ensure client accounts, workflows, transactions, reporting, and processes are run accurately and efficiently.

The ideal candidate has strong RIA operations experience, knowledge of the full account lifecycle, and a proven ability to develop an operations team in a high-touch wealth management environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in investment management, wealth management, or RIA operations.
• Strong understanding of RIA/wealth management account administration and workflows.
• Experience with custodial platforms, transfers, money movement, reconciliation, and maintenance.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee account opening, maintenance, transfers, registrations, and closures.
• Manage daily workflows across a team of operations associates.
• Supervise cash movements, wires, journals, contributions, distributions, and other transactions.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of client and advisor requests.
• Oversee reconciliation of custodial accounts, cash, positions, and transactions.
• Manage relationships with custodians, broker-dealers, banks, and third-party providers.
• Escalate and resolve complex operational issues and exceptions.
• Establish operating procedures, controls, and documentation.
• Identify process gaps and implement improvements to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
• Monitor team performance, service levels, deadlines, and outstanding items.
• Train, coach, and develop operations associates.
• Collaborate with advisors, client service, compliance, and investment teams.
• Support compliance requirements and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate with technology and external vendors on systems and integrations.
• Maintain accurate operational records and documentation.
• Support special projects and system implementations.

Skills

RIA operations

Team leadership

Account administration

Custodian platforms

Reconciliation

Workflow systems

CRM

Reporting

Regulatory compliance

Operational controls

Tools

CRM software

Portfolio management software

Workflow automation tools

Reconciliation software

Job description

Our client, a boutique RIA, is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee the firm's day-to-day operational infrastructure and manage a team of operations associates. This is a hands-on management role responsible for ensuring client accounts, workflows, transactions, reporting, and operational processes are executed accurately and efficiently.

The ideal candidate has strong RIA operations experience, understands the full account lifecycle, and has demonstrated the ability to manage and develop an operations team in a high-touch wealth management environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage, prioritize, and allocate daily workflows across a team of operations associates.
• Oversee account opening, maintenance, transfers, registrations, and account closures.
• Supervise cash movements, wires, journals, contributions, distributions, and other account transactions.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of client and advisor requests.
• Oversee reconciliation of custodial accounts, cash, positions, and transactions.
• Manage operational relationships with custodians, broker-dealers, banks, and other third-party providers.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex operational issues and resolve exceptions efficiently.
• Establish and maintain operating procedures, controls, and documentation.
• Identify process gaps and implement improvements to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
• Monitor team performance, service levels, outstanding items, and operational deadlines.
• Train, coach, and develop operations associates.
• Partner closely with advisors, client service, compliance, and investment teams.
• Support compliance requirements and ensure operational processes adhere to firm policies and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate with technology and external vendors on operational systems and integrations.
• Maintain accurate operational records and documentation.
• Support special projects, system implementations, process enhancements, and other firm initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in investment management, wealth management, or RIA operations.
• Prior experience managing or leading an operations team.
• Strong understanding of RIA/wealth management account administration and operational workflows.
• Experience with custodial platforms and account transfers, money movement, reconciliation, and account maintenance.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot operational issues and drive them through resolution.Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working directly with senior advisors and firm leadership.
• Strong organizational and process-management skills.
• Experience with portfolio management, CRM, reporting, and/or workflow systems commonly used by RIAs.