Investment Operations Manager in London

Skybound Wealth Management is a global financial advisory company with employees across the UK, USA, Switzerland, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal and UAE. We provide tailored financial advice to international connected individuals wherever they are in the world, supported by expert teams across wealth planning, tax, investment, compliance and operations.

We are now looking for an experienced investment professional to take ownership of the day-to-day delivery, governance and development of this proposition across the business. This is a highly visible, adviser-facing role sitting at the centre of Skybound’s investment proposition.

You will act as a key point of investment expertise for advisers, managers and senior leadership, explaining clearly and confidently how portfolios are constructed, why particular investment approaches are used and how different elements of the proposition can be applied to individual client circumstances.

A significant part of the role will involve supporting advisers with client-specific investment requirements. This may include portfolio analysis, responding to technical investment queries, supporting client meetings and constructing bespoke portfolios using approved asset managers, existing investment solutions and Skybound's portfolio-construction methodology.

Alongside the investment-facing responsibilities, you will lead the Group's investment operations function, including management of the Global Dealing Team, delivery of central investment projects, investment governance, management information and reporting.

The role reports directly to the Group Head of Proposition and will chair Skybound's Investment Committee.

Location

Our preference is for this role to be based in London or Poole. The role supports advisers and stakeholders across a global business spanning the USA, UK, Europe and Middle East, making the UK time zone particularly effective for communication across the Group. Dubai may also be considered for an exceptional candidate with the right investment knowledge, communication skills and operational experience. Some international travel may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Be the central investment contact for advisers and sales managers, providing clear guidance on strategy, asset allocation, portfolio construction, risk and performance.
• Support adviser-led client meetings and explain Skybound’s investment proposition in a clear, commercially relevant way.
• Respond to technical queries and requests for portfolio analysis, performance information and investment commentary.
• Review client portfolios and construct bespoke solutions where standard models are unsuitable, using approved managers and Skybound’s methodology within the client’s risk profile, objectives and governance requirements.
• Own the day-to-day implementation and consistent use of Skybound’s investment proposition across the Group.
• Maintain a detailed understanding of approved managers, solutions and model portfolios, and guide advisers on their appropriate use.
• Monitor external managers and model portfolios for changes in allocation, funds, risk and approach, and communicate relevant changes across the business.
• Chair the Investment Committee, coordinating papers, recording decisions and tracking agreed actions through to completion.
• Conduct formal due diligence on discretionary fund managers, asset managers and other investment partners at least twice annually.
• Lead quarterly investment workshops and deliver proposition training for new advisers.
• Produce weekly investment operations MI for the Group Head of Proposition and monthly investment reporting for Executive Committee.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Strong knowledge of investment funds, asset allocation, portfolio construction and risk profiling.
• A good understanding of model portfolio services and discretionary investment management.
• Experience working with investment managers, discretionary fund managers or investment platforms.
• The ability to analyse portfolios and investment information confidently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• The confidence to hold technical investment conversations with experienced financial advisers.
• A structured and operationally minded approach to work.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills and the ability to work effectively across an international business.

Key Benefits

• A competitive basic salary relevant to experience and qualifications.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus applicable public holidays.
• Support towards relevant industry qualifications and ongoing CPD.
• Company pension contribution and life assurance where applicable.
• Significant exposure to a growing international wealth-management business.
• Direct interaction with senior management, advisers and external investment partners.
• Opportunities to travel across the international Group.
• Regular company events, including Skybound's annual SOAR conference.

Qualifications

An appropriate professional investment qualification is highly desirable. Relevant qualifications include: Investment Management Certificate (IMC), CFA qualification or progress through the CFA programme, CISI investment qualifications, or other equivalent recognised investment or wealth-management qualifications.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be measured by whether Skybound's investment proposition operates effectively across the business. The successful candidate will ensure that:

• Advisers understand and confidently use the investment proposition.
• Client investment questions are dealt with accurately and efficiently.
• Bespoke investment requirements are solved within Skybound's investment framework.
• Investment governance remains robust and well documented.
• Investment Committee decisions are implemented.
• Clients sitting outside the approved proposition are identified and addressed.
• Operational investment issues are identified before they become larger problems.
• The Global Dealing Team operates effectively.
• Senior management receives clear and useful investment MI.

Skybound Wealth Management is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background.