Operations Officer - UK Office

Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank serving clients principally in the UK and South Africa. Our culture gives us our edge: we work hard to find colleagues who'll think out of the ordinary and we put them in environments where they'll flourish. We combine a flat structure with a focus on internal mobility. If you can bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to learn and collaborate to your work, this could be the boost your career deserves.

Role Overview:
As the Head of Operations, you will oversee the operational infrastructure of our company, ensuring that our operations are scalable, compliant, and client-centric. You will collaborate closely with the Chief Executive Officer and other executive team members to develop and implement strategies that enhance operational efficiency, improve customer service, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee front-to-back office operations, including order entry, trade processing, settlements, reconciliation, custody, and reporting, ensuring timely action in accordance with service level agreements and regulatory standards.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC and FCA regulations, including SM&CR, SYSC, and COBS rules.
• Maintain accurate client data across all platforms.
• Report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to executives in both the UK and Switzerland.
• Provide management information to support decision-making processes.
• Manage all outsourced or offshored services, including those provided by Investec Group.
• Oversee third-party vendor relationships for services provided in the UK.
• Drive process automation, efficiency, and service quality improvements.
• Collaborate with UK and Switzerland teams to support business growth initiatives.
• Identify and deliver initiatives aimed at enhancing business performance and service growth.
• Undertake additional tasks as directed by the Chief Executive Officer and key stakeholders.

Other Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with stakeholders, including executive and senior management, to contribute to strategic planning and business development as a member of the Executive Team.

Core Skills and Knowledge:

• Extensive experience in operations roles within wealth management or banking.
• Strong educational background, with proficiency in Maths and English.
• Excellent analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Comprehensive understanding of full front-to-back investment processes, including equities lifecycle and discretionary investment management.
• Knowledge of corporate actions, trading, security settlement, reconciliation, security transfer/re-registration, and account opening processes.
• Deep understanding of UK FCA rules, with experience in international teams applying other jurisdictional rules.
• Proven track record in systems integration platform transformation and operational due diligence.

Personal Attributes:

• High levels of integrity with a commitment to treating customers fairly and ensuring positive outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of engaging a wide audience clearly and effectively.
• Highly motivated with a keen eye for detail.
• Strong organisational, analytical, and multi-tasking abilities.
• Positive attitude with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Strong decision-making capabilities and resilience under pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Additional Attributes (Helpful but Not Essential):

• Recognised practitioner in the Operations environment, contributing to industry bodies.
• Knowledge of Swiss and EU regulatory regimes.
• Minimum Level 4 Financial Qualification preferred (e.g., IMC or IAD).

As part of our collaborative & agile culture, our working week is 4 days in the office and one day remote.

Investec offers a range of wellbeing benefits to make our people feel healthier, balanced and more fulfilled in their lives inside and outside of work.

Here is a selection of what we offer;

Wellbeing

Wellbeing Subsidy, Corporate Gym Membership, Virtual GP, Peppy Health App (Fertility, Menopause and Early Parenthood), Optional Private Medical & Dental Insurance

Monetary

Non-contributory Pension & Discretionary Bonus

Life & Income Protection

Life Assurance, Critical Illness & Income Protection

Travel

Season Ticket Loan & Electric Vehicle Scheme

Embedded in our culture is a sense of belonging and inclusion. This creates an environment in which everyone is free to be themselves which helps to drive innovation, creativity and ultimately business performance. At Investec we want everyone to find it easy to be themselves, and to feel they belong. It's a responsibility we all share and is integral to our purpose and values as an organisation.

Research shows that some candidates can be reluctant to apply to a role unless they meet all the criteria. We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit here and welcome you to do the same – if the role excites you, please don't let our person specification hold you back. Get in touch!

Recite Me

We commit to ensure that everyone is fairly assessed during our recruitment process. To assist candidates in completing their application form, Recite Me assistive technology is available on our Careers pages. This can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Accessibility Options' link at the top of the page.

The Recite Me tool includes a screen reader, styling and customisation options, a series of reading aids, a translator and more.

If you have any form of disability or neurodivergent need and require further assistance in completing your application, please contact the Careers team at [email protected] who will be happy to assist.