Senior Investment Operations Associate in London

Senior Investment Operations Associate in London

London Full-Time 50000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Timeline

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead investment operations, manage teams, and drive process improvements in a dynamic fintech environment.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing fintech company on a mission to revolutionise retirement planning.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, flexible hours, and support for professional qualifications.
  • Other info: Remote-first culture with diverse team members across 13 countries.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative team while enhancing your skills and career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing investment portfolios and strong problem-solving skills required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.

Timeline is a financial technology company on a mission to help millions of people plan, invest for, and enjoy retirement with confidence. As a privately owned fast-growing fintech company providing Platform, MPS and financial planning solutions, we are well placed to disrupt the traditional financial services market. Our technology cuts out unnecessary costs, inefficiencies and anxiety for financial advisers, while improving the long-term investment returns for their clients. We are a remote-first company with team members in over 13 countries. Given our diversity of thought, backgrounds and life experiences, we are constantly striving to celebrate individual uniqueness, while achieving our common mission. As a scaling, high-growth company, developing and adapting are the norm. If you’re after a dynamic company where you will make a real difference, then read on!

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced investment operations professional to join our investment team in a senior capacity. You will take ownership of day-to-day operational delivery, act as a key escalation point, line manage the operations team and play an active role in driving process improvement and team development. The role sits at the intersection of investment operations and technology — fast-moving, varied, and anything but routine. We build our own tools, move quickly, and expect people to take real ownership of their work. We're a collaborative team that invests in each other's development and supports professional qualifications, and we think diversity of background and perspective makes us better at what we do.

Role Responsibilities

  • Operational leadership & oversight
    • Acting as final approval on model-level edits, rebalances, reconciliations, and other critical operational activity.
    • Serving as a primary escalation point for complex queries, issues, and complaints.
    • Assuming responsibility for the day-to-day running of Investment Operations and representing the function in wider business meetings.
    • Managing, prioritising, and reporting on team workflows, capacity, and operational delivery.
    • Proactively identifying, investigating, and resolving operational risks and control weaknesses.
    • Line management for platform operations associates.
    • Day-to-day management of discretionary model portfolios for financial advice firms.
    • Administering and monitoring client portfolios, ensuring adherence to our investment philosophy.
    • Providing operational input into model changes and associated workflows.
    • Supporting due diligence requests, platform reviews, and complex operational queries.
    • Representing Investment Operations in interactions with Business Development teams and adviser‑facing stakeholders.
    • Dealing with adviser queries to support the DFM service, through onboarding and throughout the relationship.
    • Maintaining relationships with platform partners for the benefit of mutual clients.
    • Acting as a first‑line contact for audit, compliance, and regulatory queries relating to Investment Operations.
  • Process improvement & team development
    • Driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, scalability, and operational resilience.
    • Creating, maintaining, and improving Standard Operating Procedures and operational documentation.
    • Designing and managing processes for investment implementation and associated tooling.
    • Leading or contributing to operational change projects, including system enhancements, platform changes, and process redesign.
    • Using insight and data to proactively recommend improvements to processes, resourcing, or prioritisation — including pitching operational enhancements to the Timeline tech stack.
    • Providing hands‑on training, mentoring, and ongoing development support to Investment Operations team members.
    • Participating in interview and hiring processes for Investment Operations roles.
    • Supporting incoming asset migration of new clients in a high‑growth environment.
    • Maintaining and applying a sound understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements.

Role Requirements

We care more about the kind of person you are than ticking every box on our job specification. If you feel you meet some of the requirements but not all of them, we'd still welcome you to apply for the role.

Absolute must‑haves:

  • Substantial experience implementing and managing investment portfolios on platform, including trading, rebalancing and reconciling.
  • Proven ability to act as a senior escalation point for complex operational queries, issues, and complaints.
  • Process‑driven with a strong focus on operational risk, governance, and attention to detail.
  • Strong understanding of what financial advisers do and the challenges they face.
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgement and take end‑to‑end ownership of issues.
  • Client service driven, focused on client outcomes.
  • Highly numerate.

Nice to‑haves:

  • Advanced Excel skills.
  • Knowledge of coding or data tooling.
  • Experience leading or contributing to operational change projects.

The Package

  • Competitive salary, dependent on experience
  • Non‑contributory pension scheme
  • Potential to join company option scheme
  • Insurance plans
  • Cost of relevant professional qualifications and memberships
  • Hybrid working (2 days in the London office per week)
  • Flexible hours (depending on team requirements)

Senior Investment Operations Associate in London employer: Timeline

At Timeline, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative fintech company that values diversity and individual uniqueness. Our remote-first culture fosters collaboration and professional growth, offering employees the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive benefits such as a non-contributory pension scheme and support for professional qualifications. Join us in our mission to revolutionise financial services and enjoy a flexible working environment that adapts to your needs.

Timeline

Contact Details:

Timeline Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Investment Operations Associate in London

Tap into Campus Networks

If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.

Get Certified

Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.

Connect on Professional Platforms

Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.

Apply Directly and Be Proactive

Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Timeline. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Investment Operations Associate in London

Investment Portfolio Management
Operational Leadership
Process Improvement
Team Development
Client Service Orientation
Attention to Detail
Risk Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Timeline.

Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.

Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Timeline's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Timeline

Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills

Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Timeline.

Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.

Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at Timeline will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.

Network with Industry Professionals

Before your interview, reach out to current or former Timeline employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.