Senior Operations Manager

Senior Operations Manager

Full-Time 56059 - 68517 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Blackfinch

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and transform operations, ensuring exceptional service and efficient processes.
  • Company: Join Blackfinch, an award-winning investment specialist with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace that values all qualified applicants.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving operational excellence and innovation in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in operations leadership and a strong understanding of investment platforms.

The predicted salary is between 56059 - 68517 £ per year.

The Senior Operations Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for leading, developing and transforming Blackfinch’s Operations function, ensuring exceptional service, strong operationalcontroland scalable, efficient processes.

Reporting to the Operations Director, the role will lead the Client Excellence and Investment Operations administrative teams, creating a high-performing culture with clear accountability, strongleadershipand a relentless focus on continuous improvement.

The Senior Operations Manager willbe responsible forbuilding robust, scalableand resilient operational processes, reducing errors and operational risk, and driving improvements in service, efficiencyand control.

They will lead the use of automation and AI within Operations, working closely with Engineering to simplify processes, remove manualactivityand support future growth.

The role will also provide senior operational oversight of investment platformsand ensure operational decisions and improvements are always made with advisers and end investors in mind.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead, mentorand develop the Client Excellence and Investment Operations teams.
  • Build andmaintaina high-performing culturecentredon ownership, accountability, collaboration, serviceand continuous improvement.
  • Set clear expectations, objectivesand performance standards for managers and team members.
  • Establish andmonitorappropriate OKRs, KPIsand SLAs to drive performance and accountability.
  • Develop management capability, successionplanningand colleague development across the function.
  • Ensure Operations consistently delivers an exceptional service to advisers and end investors.
  • Keep the adviser and client at the centre of operational decision-making, processdesignand change.
  • Use service data, feedback, complaintsand operational insight toidentifyand resolve friction points.
  • Set clear service expectations across the function and ensure teams understand how their work impacts customer outcomes.
  • Operational Excellence & Risk
  • Build robust, scalableand resilient operational processes with clear ownership and effective controls.
  • Reduce operational errors, rework, manualinterventionand key-person dependency.
  • Use root-cause analysis toidentifyand address recurring operational issues.
  • Identify, assessand manage operational risks across the teams, ensuringappropriate controls, escalationand remediation.
  • Ensure key processes are clearly documented, controlledand regularly reviewed.
  • Maintain effective senior operational oversight of investment platformsand related processes.
  • Ensure Operations can scale effectively without a disproportionate increase in cost, riskor headcount.
  • Automation, AI & Transformation
  • Identifyopportunities to simplify, standardiseand automate manual, repetitiveor error-prone processes.
  • Work closely with Engineering to design and deliverimprovements through automation and AI.
  • Lead operational change from identification through implementation, adoptionand benefitsrealisation.
  • Operational Performance & Oversight
  • Provide the Operations Director with clear insight into operational performance, risks, capacityand improvement priorities.
  • Use data and management information toidentifytrends, emergingissuesand opportunities for improvement.
  • Act as a senior escalation point for material operational, service and platform issues.

Skills & Experience

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced senior operations leader with a strongtrack recordof leading teams, improving operational performance and delivering meaningful change within investment management, wealth management, investmentplatformsor another regulated financial-services environment.

You will have

  • A strongtrack recordof building high-performing teams with clear accountability, performancestandardsand service expectations.
  • Demonstrable experience working with investment platforms and a strong understanding of platform operating models.
  • Proven experience designing, improvingand embedding robust, scalableand well-controlled operational processes.
  • Strong experience in operational change management, including leading change through implementation and adoption.
  • Practical experience of AI and automation, with the ability to identifyappropriate usecases and translate operational needs into effective solutions.
  • Experience working collaboratively with Engineeringand Development teams to improve or automate operational processes.
  • Strong operational risk and control experience, including identifying risks, strengtheningcontrolsand managing operational incidents.
  • Experience using OKRs, KPIs, SLAs and management information to manage performance and drive continuous improvement.
  • A proventrack recordof reducing operational errors and rework through root-cause analysis, strongercontrolsand process improvement.
  • Strong stakeholder-management and influencing skills, with the credibility to work effectively with senior leaders and external partners.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data toidentifyissues, makedecisionsandprioritiseimprovement activity.
  • The judgement and leadership capability to balance customer experience, operational efficiency, riskand commercial priorities.

Essential Qualifications

Industry related qualifications and certifications

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.

Blackfinch is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.

A copy of our Equal Opportunities Policy is available upon request.

Location: Elkstone / Hybrid Salary £70-75K Doe. Application Deadline Friday, September 11, 2026. Job Summary

Role Purpose

The Senior Operations Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for leading, developing and transforming Blackfinch’s Operations function, ensuring exceptional service, strong operationalcontroland scalable, efficient processes.

Reporting to the Operations Director, the role will lead the Client Excellence and Investment Operations administrative teams, creating a high-performing culture with clear accountability, strongleadershipand a relentless focus on continuous improvement.

The Senior Operations Manager willbe responsible forbuilding robust, scalableand resilient operational processes, reducing errors and operational risk, and driving improvements in service, efficiencyand control.

They will lead the use of automation and AI within Operations, working closely with Engineering to simplify processes, remove manualactivityand support future growth.

The role will also provide senior operational oversight of investment platformsand ensure operational decisions and improvements are always made with advisers and end investors in mind.

Key Responsibilities

  • People Leadership & Performance
  • Lead, mentorand develop the Client Excellence and Investment Operations teams.
  • Build andmaintaina high-performing culturecentredon ownership, accountability, collaboration, serviceand continuous improvement.
  • Set clear expectations, objectivesand performance standards for managers and team members.
  • Establish andmonitorappropriate OKRs, KPIsand SLAs to drive performance and accountability.
  • Develop management capability, successionplanningand colleague development across the function.
  • Client & Adviser Excellence
  • Ensure Operations consistently delivers an exceptional service to advisers and end investors.
  • Keep the adviser and client at the centre of operational decision‑making, processdesignand change.
  • Use service data, feedback, complaintsand operational insight toidentifyand resolve friction points.
  • Set clear service expectations across the function and ensure teams understand how their work impacts customer outcomes.
  • Operational Excellence & Risk
  • Build robust, scalableand resilient operational processes with clear ownership and effective controls.
  • Reduce operational errors, rework, manualinterventionand key-person dependency.
  • Use root-cause analysis toidentifyand address recurring operational issues.
  • Identify, assessand manage operational risks across the teams, ensuringappropriate controls, escalationand remediation.
  • Ensure key processes are clearly documented, controlledand regularly reviewed.
  • Maintain effective senior operational oversight of investment platformsand related processes.
  • Ensure Operations can scale effectively without a disproportionate increase in cost, riskor headcount.
  • Automation, AI & Transformation
  • Identifyopportunities to simplify, standardiseand automate manual, repetitiveor error‑prone processes.
  • Work closely with Engineering to design and deliverimprovements through automation and AI.
  • Lead operational change from identification through implementation, adoptionand benefitsrealisation.
  • Operational Performance & Oversight
  • Provide the Operations Director with clear insight into operational performance, risks, capacityand improvement priorities.
  • Use data and management information toidentifytrends, emergingissuesand opportunities for improvement.
  • Act as a senior escalation point for material operational, service and platform issues.

Skills & Experience

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced senior operations leader with a strongtrack recordof leading teams, improving operational performance and delivering meaningful change within investment management, wealth management, investmentplatformsor another regulated financial‑services environment.

You will have

  • A strongtrack recordof building high‑performing teams with clear accountability, performancestandardsand service expectations.
  • Demonstrable experience working with investment platforms and a strong understanding of platform operating models.
  • Proven experience designing, improvingand embedding robust, scalableand well‑controlled operational processes.
  • Strong experience in operational change management, including leading change through implementation and adoption.
  • Practical experience of AI and automation, with the ability to identifyappropriate usecases and translate operational needs into effective solutions.
  • Experience working collaboratively with Engineeringand Development teams to improve or automate operational processes.
  • Strong operational risk and control experience, including identifying risks, strengtheningcontrolsand managing operational incidents.
  • Experience using OKRs, KPIs, SLAs and management information to manage performance and drive continuous improvement.
  • A proventrack recordof reducing operational errors and rework through root‑cause analysis, strongercontrolsand process improvement.
  • Strong stakeholder‑management and influencing skills, with the credibility to work effectively with senior leaders and external partners.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to use data toidentifyissues, makedecisionsand prioritiseimprovement activity.
  • The judgement and leadership capability to balance customer experience, operational efficiency, riskand commercial priorities.

Essential Qualifications

Industry related qualifications and certifications

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.

Blackfinch is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.

A copy of our Equal Opportunities Policy is available upon request.

About Us

Blackfinch Group is an award‑winninginvestment specialist.

Built on over 20years of investment track record, thename Blackfinch first came intobeing on the anniversary of Darwin’s birth, 12th February 2013.

A trusted provider, we workin partnership with advisers.

Our businessescover tax‑efficient solutions, early stageinvesting, managed portfolio services, property financing and renewable energy.

We’re proud to be entrusted with over£1bnin assets under management.

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Senior Operations Manager employer: Blackfinch

At Blackfinch, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. Located in the picturesque Elkstone, we offer hybrid working arrangements, competitive salaries, and ample opportunities for professional growth in the dynamic field of renewable energy investments. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the sustainable investment landscape.

Blackfinch

Contact Details:

Blackfinch Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Manager

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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Manager

Leadership Skills
Team Development
Operational Excellence
Risk Management
Process Improvement
Automation
AI Implementation

Some tips for your application 🫡

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Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.

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How to prepare for a job interview at Blackfinch

Master the Case Study Game

In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!

Know Your Numbers

Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!

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As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Be a Cultural Fit

We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Blackfinch. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!