Head of Investment Operations (Back Office, AI Transformation)
Lead a regulator-credible, AI-enabled back office at InvestEngine. Drive end-to-end operations, risk, and transformative change with a hands-on, people-first leader.
About InvestEngine
InvestEngine is everything the modern investor should need — simple, transparent, and built for long-term investing. With over £2 billion invested and a growing customer base, we are scaling a platform designed for automation, efficiency and customer value.
We believe the future of investment operations is AI-powered, system-led and radically lean — not manual, fragmented or spreadsheet-driven.
About the Role
This is not a traditional Head of Operations role.
You will act as the second-in-command to the Operations Director, owning execution, people leadership and the transformation of our back-office operating model.
You will run a regulator-credible operational engine while redesigning it from first principles — removing manual work, eliminating workaround processes and building an AI-enabled back office.
This role requires someone who is motivated to build the future of operations, not optimise legacy processes.
Role Purpose
To run and evolve a high-performing, regulator-credible back-office operation that delivers clean execution, strong controls and scalable processes — while designing and delivering an AI-enabled operating model that removes manual work, reduces risk and improves consistency.
What You’ll Do
Own operational execution & control
Own day-to-day performance of core investment operations
Be accountable for outcomes across:
CASS reconciliations
Payments (inbound, outbound, exceptions, controls)
Trading lifecycle, settlement and failed trade resolution
Corporate actions processing
Ensure operations run accurately, consistently and without drift
Act as escalation point for operational incidents, driving resolution to root cause
Lead AI-driven transformation of operations
Identify and eliminate manual processes, workarounds and spreadsheet-driven controls
Redesign core workflows using AI and proprietary systems, not patchwork tooling
Partner with Product and Engineering to build an AI-powered back office
Replace repetitive human tasks with automated decisioning, monitoring and exception handling
Deliver measurable outcomes, including replacement of critical workflows and removal of manual steps
Design scalable, system-led processes
Design end-to-end processes with clear ownership, controls and failure modes
Remove unnecessary complexity and redundant controls
Ensure processes are scalable, testable and resilient
Focus on root-cause fixes, not temporary mitigations
Ensure all critical processes are clearly owned and documented
Lead and develop high-performing teams
Lead, develop and retain strong operational teams
Set clear expectations and hold people to high standards
Actively manage performance, including addressing underperformance decisively
Build a strong talent pipeline and succession coverage for key roles
Create a culture of ownership, curiosity and continuous improvement
Own operational risk and regulatory alignment
Ensure operations align with FCA expectations (including CASS, SYSC and Consumer Duty)
Act as a strong first-line owner of operational risk
Produce clear, decision-useful MI for leadership and governance forums
Be able to explain, defend and evidence how operations are controlled
Intellectual Curiosity & Standards
You will:
Constantly ask why to understand root causes and system behaviour
Challenge anything that does not look right, even if it meets policy
Refuse to accept “that’s how we’ve always done it”
Pursue issues to full resolution with persistence and ownership
Be uncomfortable with ambiguity, weak logic and unexplained variance
What We’re Looking For
Essential experience
Senior operational leadership experience in a fintech or digital investment platform
Strong understanding of investment back-office operations, including:
CASS reconciliations
Payments
Trading, settlement and corporate actions
Proven experience designing and improving end-to-end operational processes
Experience working in environments with proprietary or internally built systems
Strong track record of leading and developing high-performing teams
AI & technology mindset
Demonstrated experience using technology to replace, not just improve, operational processes
Clear frustration with manual, spreadsheet-driven or workaround-heavy environments
Evidence of exploring and applying new technologies (including AI) proactively
Strong point of view on what an AI-enabled operations function should look like
How We Work
We are a lean, high-standards team that values ownership, clarity and accountability.
We prioritise outcomes over activity, systems over manual effort, and root-cause thinking over quick fixes.
What We Offer
Impact from day one
You’ll take on meaningful work from the start, tackling real challenges that drive the stability, efficiency, and growth of our business.
Room to grow
As we scale, you’ll have opportunities to expand your responsibilities, influence how we work, and help shape our long-term direction.
Transparent and open culture
We share decisions openly, keep communication channels clear, and encourage collaboration across every part of the business.
Supportive, high-calibre team
Work alongside talented professionals who are experts in their fields — smart, driven, and generous with their knowledge.
Remote first and flexible
Work in the way that best suits you. We focus on results, not rigid hours, and trust you to manage your time effectively.
Our Hiring Process
Introductory call with our Talent team
Gamified cognitive assessment to understand how you think and problem-solve
Competency interview focused on your experience in operational risk and controls
Senior leadership interview to explore alignment with our culture, values, and strategic direction
- Department
- Operations / CX
- Role
- Operations Manager
- Locations
- London
- Remote status
- Hybrid
About InvestEngine
InvestEngine is an award‑winning, industry‑leading investment platform that champions the use of exchange‑traded funds (ETFs).
We are a team of industry experts with a passion for building great investment products. A powerful investment solution, we think everyone could benefit from using ETFs as a part of their financial strategy.