Portfolio Operations Manager

CMC Recruiting; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, a growing wealth management firm, is seeking an experienced Investment Operations Leader to supervise the portfolio management team and strengthen the firm’s investment infrastructure.

Reporting to the COO, you will implement structure, accountability, and scalable processes while guiding day-to-day investment operations, trading, and client-related proposals. This is a hands-on leadership role with growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Ideally 6–10+ years of wealth/portfolio management and investment operations.
• Strong understanding of investment implementation and advisory trading.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop others.
• Experience managing projects and improving workflows.
• Excellent organization, communication, and problem-solving.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, or related field.
• RIA or independent wealth management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Portfolio Management Team, including investment analysis and trading functions.
• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, accountability, and professional development.
• Establish clear priorities, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
• Partner with investment leadership to maximize team members’ strengths and support future growth.
• Oversee daily investment operations, portfolio implementation, and advisory trading activities.
• Ensure investment strategies and Investment Committee decisions are implemented accurately and consistently.
• Coordinate the preparation and review of new client investment proposals.
• Oversee case preparation, portfolio reviews, and investment recommendations for existing clients.
• Manage departmental projects, workflows, timelines, and deliverables.
• Improve processes, procedures, and controls to increase efficiency and minimize operational risk.
• Partner with advisors and client service teams on investment-related needs and recommendations.
• Participate in client meetings when appropriate, including complex investment discussions.
• Potentially manage select client relationships.

Skills

Wealth management

Portfolio management

Investment operations

Leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Communication

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance

Job description

Compensation: $135K - $150K base salary + performance-based bonus + benefits

Position Overview:

Our client, an established and growing wealth management firm managing more than $1 billion in client assets, is seeking an experienced investment operations leader to oversee its portfolio management team and help strengthen the firm’s investment infrastructure as it continues to grow. This hands-on leadership opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys developing people, improving processes, managing projects, and ensuring investment strategies are executed accurately and efficiently. Working closely with investment leadership and the Investment Committee, this individual will oversee day-to-day portfolio management operations while creating the structure, accountability, and consistency needed to support continued growth.

The position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a collaborative, high-performing, growth-oriented organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Portfolio Management Team, including investment analysis and trading functions
• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, accountability, and professional development
• Establish clear priorities, responsibilities, and performance expectations
• Partner with investment leadership to maximize team members’ strengths and support future growth

Investment Operations & Execution:

• Oversee daily investment operations, portfolio implementation, and advisory trading activities
• Ensure investment strategies and Investment Committee decisions are implemented accurately and consistently
• Coordinate the preparation and review of new client investment proposals
• Oversee case preparation, portfolio reviews, and investment recommendations for existing clients
• Manage departmental projects, workflows, timelines, and deliverables
• Improve processes, procedures, and controls to increase efficiency and minimize operational risk

Investment Committee & Strategic Collaboration:

• Partner with the team to establish priorities and agendas for monthly Investment Committee meetings
• Participate in committee discussions and prepare or deliver presentations and analysis as appropriate
• Translate committee decisions into actionable plans and oversee implementation and follow-through
• Initially serve as a non-voting member, with the opportunity to become a voting member over time
• Collaborate with senior leadership to support the firm’s evolving investment strategy

Process Improvement & Departmental Growth:

• Evaluate portfolio management workflows and identify opportunities for greater efficiency and scalability
• Lead improvements to trading, investment implementation, reporting, and internal coordination
• Build processes that support the firm’s continued organic growth
• Proactively identify challenges, recommend solutions, and own implementation
• Partner with advisors and client service teams on investment-related needs and recommendations
• Participate in client meetings when appropriate, including complex investment discussions
• Depending on experience and interests, potentially manage select client relationships

Qualifications & Experience:

• Ideally 6–10+ years of experience in wealth management, portfolio management, and investment operations
• Strong understanding of investment implementation, portfolio management processes, and advisory trading
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop others through formal management or team leadership
• Experience managing projects, improving workflows, and driving initiatives to completion
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution and cross-functional collaboration
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, or a related field preferred
• Experience within an RIA or independent wealth management environment strongly preferred

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a confident, approachable leader who enjoys developing talented people and helping them succeed. Naturally organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, this person can turn ideas into action and bring projects across the finish line. They bring leadership, operational discipline, and execution skills that allow investment professionals to perform at their best. This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of an investment department and play an important role in the continued growth of a successful wealth management firm.