Strategy and Execution Lead – Financial Operations (8C97879)

Referment; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Referment is seeking a Strategy and Execution Lead for its financial operations function, a hands-on senior contributor who excels at turning senior leadership priorities into structured, multi-year change programmes across middle- and back-office operations.

You will design operating models, govern complex vendor relationships, and partner with technology and data teams to deliver workflow automation and AI-enabled improvements into production.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of experience leading complex, multi-year programs.
• Deep knowledge of front-, middle-, and back-office operations in financial services.
• Hands-on IC who can diagnose problems, design solutions and oversee delivery.
• Experience building governance models and converting data into action.
• Ability to move initiatives from strategy to production with ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead operating-model projects spanning workflow design, stakeholder alignment and implementation.
• Develop rigorous recommendations for senior leaders and translate decisions into scalable change.
• Run structured engagements with front-, middle-, and back-office teams to surface issues and priorities.
• Lead governance for strategic service providers through executive forums, KPI reviews and escalation management.
• Build programme-management capability and mentor colleagues as a senior practitioner within the function.
• Partner with technology and data teams to identify and deliver workflow automation, systems integration and generative-AI opportunities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Programme leadership

Operations strategy

Hands-on IC

Tools

Generative AI

Analytics tools

Workflow automation

Systems integration

Job description

Referment is working with a global investment and technology firm seeking a Strategy and Execution Lead for its financial operations function. This role sits at the intersection of operating-model design, technology, vendor strategy and programme delivery across middle- and back-office operations. This is a senior individual contributor role designed for a hands‑on practitioner who excels at direct execution and project ownership.

You’ll turn senior leadership priorities into structured, multi-year change programmes. The remit combines analytical problem solving with practical execution: redesigning workflows, aligning front-, middle- and back-office stakeholders, holding strategic service providers accountable, and helping technology and data teams move automation and AI-enabled improvements into production.

The Role

• Shape and lead operating-model projects spanning workflow design, stakeholder alignment and implementation across the trade lifecycle.
• Develop rigorous recommendations for senior leaders and translate decisions into scalable operational change.
• Run structured engagement with front-, middle- and back-office teams to surface issues, agree priorities and maintain accountability.
• Lead governance for strategic service providers through executive forums, working groups, KPI reviews and escalation management.
• Build programme-management capability and provide mentorship to colleagues as a senior practitioner within the function.
• Partner with technology and data teams to identify and deliver workflow automation, systems integration and generative-AI opportunities.

What We’re Looking For

• Substantial experience leading complex, multi-year operations or technology programmes involving senior stakeholders; between 10 and 15 years of experience is preferred.
• Direct experience and deep domain knowledge of the core Trade Lifecycle, including Front, Middle, and Back Office operations.
• A proven track record as a hands‑on individual contributor who can diagnose operational problems, design solutions, and oversee implementation through to completion.
• Experience building stakeholder‑engagement and governance models and converting service and performance data into clear action.
• Strong strategic judgement and the independence to create momentum through ambiguity and organisational constraints.
• Relevant knowledge of operating-model design, workflow optimisation or technology programme management in middle- or back-office environments.

Experience governing a complex strategic vendor relationship is highly preferred. Hands‑on experience as a practitioner with Generative AI tools and a track record of using them to drive measurable efficiency improvements would be highly valuable. Exposure to reporting and analytics tools, workflow automation, platform data or systems integration is also beneficial.

This role is ideal for a financial-services transformation leader, operations strategy director, or senior programme lead who thrives in an individual contributor capacity. We are particularly interested in management consultants who have successfully moved beyond recommendations to own internal implementation and delivery.