Chief Operating Officer in London

General information

Amundi, the leading European asset manager, offers its 100 million clients a complete range of savings and investment solutions in active and passive management, in traditional or real assets. This offering is enhanced with IT tools and services to cover the entire savings value chain. A subsidiary of the Crédit Agricole group, Amundi currently manages close to €2.3 trillion of assets. With its six international investment hubs, financial and extra-financial research capabilities and long-standing commitment to responsible investment, Amundi is a key player in the asset management landscape. Amundi clients benefit from the expertise and advice of 5,500 employees in 35 countries.

Contract type: Permanent Contract

Expected start date: 01/08/2026

Management position: Yes

Job summary

Key responsibilities for the SMF24 Chief Operations Function for the firm include the following:

• Managing the internal operations of the firm, with Middle Office and Settlement and IT (including cybersecurity).
• Responsibility for the business continuity planning, which includes operational continuity, resilience, and strategy.
• Responsibility for the firm’s outsourcing activities and the firm’s legal department.
• Responsibility for reporting to the firm’s Board on any operational topics and issues, including the oversight of FACTA/CRS matters (‘Responsible Officer’).
• Responsibility for the oversight, maintenance, management of the firm’s Operational Resilience Self-Assessment.
• Responsibility for the coordination and oversight of Amundi (UK) Limited’s arrangements to support clients, in particular Client Service Function and Middle Office Function.
• Responsible for ensuring the firm has an appropriate reporting organisation which guarantees the regulator’s expectations are met regarding MiFID reporting (internal) and EMIR reporting (outsourced to CACEIS). This includes quality assessments.

Principle Accountabilities:

• As a member of London Management, play a part in the overall running of the business development, including ensuring that effective governance structures, systems and controls are developed and operated.
• As a key member of the Management team, the incumbent will be responsible for deputising for the Chief Executive of Amundi (UK) Limited where required.
• Set and follow high standards of conduct. Follow, and keep up to date with, regulatory requirements and be proactive in obtaining legal/compliance advice. Delegate responsibilities, clearly specifying issues to be escalated.
• Encourage a culture that ensures the appropriate level of client support and drives appropriate behaviours from Amundi (UK) limited employees.
• Principally responsible for systems and controls of Amundi (UK) Ltd, including financial affairs, information security, setting and controlling risk exposure, adherence to internal systems and controls, procedures and policies, and reporting to Amundi (UK) Ltd Board thereon.
• Put in place effective systems and controls, including guidance as to types of issues to be escalated.
• Promptly resolve any compliance/control issues identified and enhance related policies, systems and controls as appropriate.
• Effectively supervise the competence and conduct of employees.
• Apply supervisory techniques, including monitoring, which would reasonably be expected to identify and deter potential incidents of non-compliant behaviour.
• Monitor the discharge of the functions by employees to whom responsibilities have been delegated to assess their continued suitability and competence for that role.
• Seek to continually enhance competence by providing and/or supporting internal and external training and supervision and/or mentoring as appropriate.

Supplementary Information

Committees:

• Member of the following Committees/Boards: Amundi (UK) Limited Board, Executive Committee; New Activities, Products and Services Committee; Compliance Committee; Risk Committee; Operations and Outsourcing Committee (Chair); Active Distressed Securities Committee.

Legal and Regulatory Responsibilities:

• Comply with all applicable legal, regulatory and internal Compliance requirements, including, but not limited to, the London Compliance manual and the Financial Crime Policy. Complete any mandatory training in line with legal, regulatory and internal Compliance requirements.
• Maintain appropriate knowledge to ensure to be fully qualified to undertake the role. Complete all mandatory training as required to attain and maintain competence.
• As a Manager, to be responsible for the implementation of internal systems and controls and ensuring staff adhere to requirements.
• Refrain from taking any steps, which could lead to the removal of certification of fitness and propriety to perform the role.
• Undertake all necessary steps to satisfy the annual certification process.
• Comply with all applicable conduct rules including Senior Manager conduct rules as prescribed by the relevant regulator.
• Fully co-operate with any handover of Senior Manager functions resulting from a change in role.

Geographical area: Europe, United Kingdom

City: London

Remote work: hybrid

Candidate criteria

Minimal education level: Bachelor Degree / BSc Degree or equivalent

Academic qualification / Speciality: Relevant degree

Experience:

• Proven senior leadership experience in an operations, COO or equivalent role within asset management or a regulated financial services environment.
• Experience of operating within a regulated environment, with a good understanding of governance, systems and controls, and Senior Managers Regime responsibilities.
• Experience of oversight of regulatory reporting processes, including MiFID and EMIR reporting.

Required skills:

• Strong knowledge of asset management operations, including middle office, settlement, client service, outsourcing and technology oversight.
• Strong understanding of operational resilience, business continuity planning and crisis management.
• Knowledge of information security and cybersecurity principles, with the ability to oversee related risks and controls.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and report effectively at Board and senior management level.
• Strong judgement, problem-solving and risk awareness, with the ability to identify and escalate issues appropriately.
• Effective people leadership skills, including supervision, delegation, coaching and performance management.
• A collaborative and pragmatic approach, with the ability to drive service quality, control improvement and sound governance.