At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and drive business performance, governance, and growth in a dynamic financial services environment.
- Company: Join Opera, a leading financial services group with a world-class portfolio.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for career progression and to work across multiple jurisdictions.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of financial services and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Qualified professional with 10+ years of experience and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 113400 - 138600 £ per year.
Opera is a privately owned financial services group, created to build a world-class portfolio of funds, corporate and fiduciary businesses. The group administers assets totaling more than $80bn.
The Deputy Managing Director (“DMD”) will partner with the Managing Director (“MD”), and the local board, in leading and delivering the performance, governance and growth of the business within the jurisdiction, spanning both private wealth and institutional. The DMD operates across the full scope of the MD complementing and, where required, acting for the MD to ensure the business delivers sustainable growth, strong client outcomes and full regulatory compliance.
This role holder will be a possible successor for the Jersey MD, and the timing of any succession will be determined by Group CEO and Jersey MD. The DMD is the internal and operational leader of the jurisdiction, accountable for translating commercial ambition into disciplined execution. This role ensures that the jurisdiction operates as a cohesive, well-managed, and scalable business, with strong financial performance, high-quality client delivery, and robust governance.
The DMD will drive the day-to-day running of the business and work in close partnership with the CSDs, Team Leaders and MD to support and enable growth. The role requires operational discipline, organisational leadership, and sound judgment, ensuring the business is resilient, efficient, and positioned for long-term success.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategy
- Support the MD in setting and delivering the jurisdictional strategy
- Translate strategy into clear priorities, plans and execution across the business
- Work closely with the Board and Executive Committee to align on direction and outcomes
- Provide leadership across the business, acting for the MD where required
- Business Performance & Growth
- Partner with the MD to deliver revenue, profitability and fee income targets
- Drive execution of business plans and ensure delivery against objectives and deadlines
- Support new business development and growth of existing client relationships
- Maintain consistent, high-quality client service standards
- Client Relationship & Market Development
- Maintain oversight of client relationships and service delivery across the portfolio
- Build and manage relationships with key clients and intermediaries
- Support and drive onboarding of new clients alongside business development teams
- Act as director on client structures where required
- Risk, Governance, & Regulatory Oversight
- Support the MD and the Risk Team in ensuring full compliance with all regulatory and Group risk management requirements
- Oversee implementation and ongoing effectiveness of policies, procedures and control frameworks
- Support the Chief Risk Officer and Compliance team as needed with regulators, including preparation and submission of responses
- Identify, assess and mitigate business and client-related risks.
- Operation & Execution
- Oversee operational delivery across business lines and workstreams
- Ensure delivery is efficient, timely and aligned with agreed standards
- Drive operational discipline, process improvement and scalability
- Support the allocation and management of resources (people and financial) to meet objectives
- Board & Stakeholder Accountability
- Serve as a Director on the Affiliate Lead board of Jersey and OpCos
- Support the MD in providing full and transparent reporting to the Board
- Contribute to reporting on operational, financial and risk performance
- Represent the business in meetings with clients, regulators and external stakeholders
- Financial
- Contribute to the setting and delivery of budgets, forecasts and financial plans
- Drive margin improvement and cost discipline, with a focus on productivity, utilisation, and operational efficiency.
- Ensure strong fee discipline, billing accuracy and revenue collection
- People Leadership & Organisation
- Lead and develop teams across the business, reinforcing accountability and performance standards
- Set and reinforce a high-performance culture aligned with Group values and expectations.
- Promote a high-performance, collaborative working environment
- Client Delivery & Operational Excellence
- Own the quality and consistency of client delivery across all service lines, ensuring strong operational oversight.
- Embed accountability for client outcomes, ensuring delivery meets or exceeds commercial commitments.
- Personally intervene in complex or escalated client matters where required to protect client outcomes and reputation.
Key Competencies & Skills:
- Qualified professional – Accountant, Lawyer or Trust Practitioner (STEP or ICSA)
- Minimum 10 years post qualifying experience including at least 5 years’ experience at Board level
- Excellent understanding of fiduciary and fund services businesses including detailed knowledge of the regulatory framework
- Strong leadership skills and a proven track record of successfully managing and developing a team
Key Stakeholders:
- Opera Board
- Opera ExCo
- Group Head of Private Clients and Group Head of Institutional
- External clients & intermediaries
- Jersey Boards (HoldCo and OpCos, CSD Forum) and Jersey MD
- Board of Directors in all Opera businesses
- Senior management teams
- All Opera employees
- JFSC Industry bodies
Deputy Managing Director – Jersey employer: Opera
Opera is an exceptional employer for those passionate about AI security, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and representation at industry events, employees are empowered to make meaningful contributions to the field. Located in a vibrant tech hub, Opera provides a unique environment where cutting-edge research meets real-world application, ensuring that your work has a lasting impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Managing Director – Jersey
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Opera. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Opera.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Opera. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Managing Director – Jersey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Opera and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Opera how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opera
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Opera.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Opera's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
