VP, Research

LPL Financial; Fort Mill (SC); On-site; USD 151,000 - 251,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K matching

Health benefits

Employee stock options

Paid time off

Job summary

LPL Financial in Fort Mill, SC seeks a strategic, collaborative leader to build and scale a next-generation OCIO platform. You’ll establish operating framework, integrate new capabilities and teams, and shape long-term operational strategy that supports growth and client outcomes.

You'll lead cross-functional initiatives across Investment Risk, Technology, Compliance, and Operations, driving standardized processes, governance, and scalable workflows with a focus on exceptional client experiences

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of leadership experience within investment management, institutional consulting, OCIO, wealth management, or a related financial services environment.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and improving operating models, business processes, or large‑scale operational initiatives.
• Experience leading cross‑functional projects involving investment professionals, technology teams, operations, and external vendors.
• Project management, organizational, and change management skills.

Responsibilities

• Designing, implementing, and continuously improving the operating model that supports the firm's OCIO services
• Lead operational strategy, process standardization, technology enablement, and business integration to ensure the OCIO Team can scale efficiently while maintaining a consistent client experience and strong governance.
• Work closely with Leadership, Investment Risk, Quantitative Research, Technology, Compliance, and Operations, this role will drive operational excellence across the organization.
• A key near‑term priority will be integrating acquired investment teams, documenting and standardizing operating procedures, and partnering with internal and external technology providers to automate and improve investment workflows.

Job description

Lead with Purpose, Unlock Your Team’s Passion

At LPL, people leaders hold the key to the employee experience — shaping culture, driving performance, and guiding individuals to new heights. Because when that happens, we all win – clients, LPL, and most importantly our, employees.

We are seeking a strategic and collaborative leader with deep experience building and scaling investment operations within an institutional asset management, OCIO, investment consulting, or wealth management environment. The ideal candidate is a systems thinker who enjoys solving complex operational challenges, leading cross-functional initiatives, and creating repeatable processes that enable growth.

This individual should be comfortable leading organizational change, integrating teams, managing technology initiatives, and developing operational frameworks that support both current business needs and future expansion.

Job Overview

This is a unique opportunity to help build and scale a next-generation Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) platform by establishing the operating framework, integrating new capabilities and teams, and shaping the long‑term operational strategy of that platform.

Responsibilities

• Designing, implementing, and continuously improving the operating model that supports the firm's OCIO services


• Lead operational strategy, process standardization, technology enablement, and business integration to ensure the OCIO Team can scale efficiently while maintaining a consistent client experience and strong governance.


• Work closely with Leadership, Investment Risk, Quantitative Research, Technology, Compliance, and Operations, this role will drive operational excellence across the organization.


• A key near‑term priority will be integrating acquired investment teams, documenting and standardizing operating procedures, and partnering with internal and external technology providers to automate and improve investment workflows.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for strong collaborators who deliver exceptional client experiences and thrive in fast‑paced, team‑oriented environments. Our ideal candidates pursue greatness, act with integrity, and are driven to help our clients succeed. We value those who embrace creativity, continuous improvement, and contribute to a culture where we win together and create and share joy in our work.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.


• 10+ years of leadership experience within investment management, institutional consulting, OCIO, wealth management, or a related financial services environment.


• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and improving operating models, business processes, or large‑scale operational initiatives.


• Experience leading cross‑functional projects involving investment professionals, technology teams, operations, and external vendors.


• Project management, organizational, and change management skills.

Core Competencies

• Ability to communicate cross‑functionally


• Leadership abilities with experience influencing senior stakeholders.


• Experience developing operational metrics, process documentation, and governance frameworks.


• Ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives in a fast‑paced, evolving organization.

Preferences

• Experience within an OCIO, institutional consulting, or multi‑asset investment organization.


• Experience integrating acquired businesses or leading organizational transformation initiatives.


• Knowledge of institutional investment workflows, portfolio management operations, trading, investment governance, and client servicing models.


• Experience working with investment technology platforms such as CRM, performance reporting, or workflow automation systems.


• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies or process optimization frameworks.


• Experience partnering with quantitative research, data science, or technology teams to automate investment processes and improve operational efficiency.


• MBA or other advanced degree preferred.


• Professional designation such as CFA, CAIA, PMP, or Lean Six Sigma certification is a plus.

Pay Range

$150,792.00 - $251,320.00

Actual base salary varies based on factors, including but not limited to, relevant skill, prior experience, education, base salary of internal peers, demonstrated performance, and geographic location. Additionally, LPL Total Rewards package is highly competitive, designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play – such as 401K matching, health benefits, employee stock options, paid time off, volunteer time off, and more.

Company Overview

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor‑mediated marketplace(6) , LPL supports over 32,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,100 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $2.3 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 8 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses.

At LPL, independence means that advisors and institution leaders have the freedom they deserve to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run a thriving business. They have the flexibility to do business their way. And they have the freedom to manage their client relationships, because they know their clients best. Simply put, we take care of our advisors and institutions, so they can take care of their clients.

Join the LPL team and help us make a difference by turning life’s aspirations into financial realities. Principal only. EOE.

Information on Interviews

LPL will only communicate with a job applicant directly from an @lplfinancial.com email address and will never conduct an interview online or in a chatroom forum. During an interview, LPL will not request any form of payment from the applicant, or information regarding an applicant’s bank or credit card. Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact LPL’s Human Resources Solutions Center at [phone].