Asset Control & Investment Operations Manager

The successful candidate will manage a small team and work closely with senior finance, compliance, risk, technology and business stakeholders. The position may suit someone currently operating at Manager or Senior Manager level who is ready to take broader ownership of an established function.

Candidates from insurance investment operations, investment accounting, investment audit or financial services assurance backgrounds may be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a small team supporting asset control and custodian operations
• Oversee relationships and operational requirements with appointed custodian banks
• Review custodian statements, portfolio positions and investment data
• Ensure investment positions are accurately uploaded into internal systems
• Monitor fee calculations, fee collection and related operational controls
• Review investment portfolio information and operational reporting
• Manage the timely preparation and delivery of policyholder statements
• Review and approve special investment arrangements
• Perform pre-compliance checks for new portfolio investments
• Assess the eligibility and suitability of private equity, private debt, funds and other special investments
• Review fund prospectuses, subscription agreements, policy directives and investment documentation
• Support investment-related AML/KYC and due diligence assessments
• Evaluate whether proposed investments meet internal, legal and regulatory requirements
• Monitor the existing private equity and special investment portfolio
• Investigate system exceptions, reconciliation issues and data discrepancies
• Work with technology stakeholders to resolve root causes and implement appropriate controls
• Establish temporary workarounds and compensating controls where system issues arise
• Review and improve processes, procedures, controls and service-level agreements
• Explore opportunities to use AI, automation and data tools to improve reconciliations, document review and operational efficiency

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Banking, Business or a related discipline
• Approximately eight years of relevant experience, with flexibility depending on the candidate's background
• Experience within insurance, insurance audit, investment operations, investment accounting, custody, fund operations or financial services assurance
• Understanding of investment products such as bonds, funds, private equity, private debt or other alternative investments
• Experience reviewing investment portfolios, valuations, reconciliations or custodian information
• Exposure to investment-related AML/KYC, compliance, onboarding or due diligence would be advantageous
• Comfortable reviewing detailed investment, legal and regulatory documents
• Strong operational risk, control and problem-solving capabilities
• Previous team leadership or supervisory experience
• Strong stakeholder-management and communication skills
• Curious, adaptable and willing to independently research unfamiliar investment structures
• Interest in using AI, automation or analytics tools to improve processes and controls

Ideal Candidate Profile

The position may suit one of the following profiles

• A Manager or Senior Manager from an insurer's investment operations, investment accounting or middle-office function
• An investment operations professional with custody, portfolio-control or special-investment exposure
• A Big Four Audit Manager who has audited insurance companies, investment portfolios, funds or financial instruments
• An investment or asset-management auditor looking to move into an operational leadership position
• A finance professional with strong insurance investment-accounting and control experience

The hiring manager values auditors because they are accustomed to working across accounting, controls, compliance, risk assessment and detailed document review.

Candidates do not need to have performed every component of the position previously. Intellectual curiosity, versatility and the willingness to learn unfamiliar investment structures are particularly important.

Why Apply

• Broad ownership across investment operations, asset control and special investments
• Direct exposure to senior finance and executive leadership
• Opportunity to lead and develop an established team
• Exposure to private and public investment structures
• Scope to improve systems, controls and operating processes
• Opportunity to introduce AI, automation and data-driven improvements
• Suitable step-up opportunity for an experienced Manager

Desired Skills and Experience

Asset Control, Investment Operations, Investment Accounting, Custodian Management, Custody Operations, Insurance Investments, Portfolio Controls, Special Investments, Private Equity, Private Debt, Fund Operations, Investment Audit, Insurance Audit, AML/KYC, Investment Compliance, Due Diligence, Investment Onboarding, Portfolio Valuation, Reconciliations, Operational Risk, Process Improvement, Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Artificial Intelligence and Automation