We have an exciting opportunity to join Standard Life as Head of Private Markets Operations within our Retirement Solutions & Asset Management function. This is a key leadership role for an individual with significant experience across Private Markets operations, including pre-investment activity, trading support and trade lifecycle management. The successful candidate will bring extensive knowledge of private market investment products and operating models, alongside a proven ability to lead teams, build strong stakeholder relationships and drive operational excellence.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: This role could be based from our London, Edinburgh, Birmingham or Telford office with time spent working from home and from the office (3 days per week).
Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process. You can read more about flexible working here.
Salary and benefits: From £90,900 depending on experience plus discretionary bonus, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.
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Who are we?
We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.
Life today is increasingly complicated, uncertain and unpredictable. People move through different careers, face unexpected moments and navigate important choices. We offer our colleagues flexibility, trust and benefits that work for whatever life brings. In return we expect curiosity, connection, accountability and high standards. We make room for what matters - so you can bring your best, every day.
The role
The role is responsible for shaping and leading the operating model and support framework across Private Markets and Counterparty Onboarding activities within Capital Markets. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring robust governance, operational excellence and scalable processes that support the continued growth of private markets investing across credit, real assets and alternative investment strategies.
Reporting to the Head of Operations, this position provides strategic leadership across multiple specialist teams, overseeing the end-to-end investment lifecycle from pre-trade governance and onboarding through to trade support, lifecycle management, regulatory reporting, vendor oversight and operational controls.
The role will play a key part in shaping future operating models, supporting new product launches and investment structures, leading the onboarding of counterparties and ensuring readiness for new business activities. It will also drive transformation initiatives and deliver scalable solutions that enhance efficiency, strengthen controls and improve client outcomes.
Define and deliver the strategy, operating model and operational readiness framework for Private Markets and Strategic Onboarding activities.
Lead, develop and inspire specialist teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and inclusion.
Oversee middle office operations across private market asset classes, ensuring effective controls, accurate data management and efficient lifecycle event management.
Own the end-to-end onboarding of counterparties, funds, platforms and investment structures, ensuring compliance with KYC, CDD, AML and regulatory requirements.
Partner closely with Front Office, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Operations and external service providers to support business growth and new investment opportunities.
Maintain a strong and effective governance, risk and control framework, leading audit activity, issue remediation and operational risk management.
Lead and champion process optimisation, automation, technology adoption and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, scalability and control.
Act as the senior operational representative for Private Markets, building strong stakeholder relationships and providing leadership across strategic business initiatives.
What are we looking for?
Significant leadership experience within Asset Management Middle Office, Investment Operations or Private Markets Operations, with a collaborative leadership style and a track record of developing high-performing teams and building strong stakeholder relationships.
Extensive experience supporting private market investment products and trade lifecycle activities.
Strong understanding of private credit, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and alternative asset classes.
Deep understanding of operational risk, governance and controls within investment management.
Demonstrated experience leading counterparty onboarding, KYC, CDD and operational due diligence frameworks.
Proven experience designing and evolving operating models within investment management environments.
Strong understanding of investment management technology platforms and data flows.
Experience managing strategic change, transformation and process improvement initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional programmes.
We want to hire the whole version of you.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you.
If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.
We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so apply early to avoid missing out.
Find out more about working at Standard Life
We’re Phoenix Group, and our customer brands include SunLife, Standard Life, Phoenix Life, and ReAssure. While we have a thriving ‘open’ business through the Standard Life and SunLife brands, a key driver of value for us is our expertise in managing ‘heritage’ books of business no longer open to new customers.
We have offices around the UK as well as operations in Dublin and Frankfurt. As one of Britain’s Top Employers, we offer opportunities for you to challenge and develop yourself in a company that looks after our colleagues, customers and communities.
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