A period of accelerated business growthA compelling opportunity to join a fast‑growing investment business at a time of strategic expansion and make a huge impact. Mercer is undertaking an initiative to establish a new operating model and technology platform to support ambitious growth; the Direct Investment Unit (DIU) will grow at ~30% per year and expand regionally.
The roleMercer is recruiting an experienced COO to drive the global operations and change activities of the DIU, oversee technology infrastructure, and coordinate support teams. The COO will design, execute, and continuously improve the DIU operating model, enabling profitable growth, operational excellence, and strong client outcomes. The role focuses on delivering solutions, developing talent, and overseeing risk management.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate the MID and back‑office functions cost‑effectively and soundly.
- Outsource non‑strategic operational functions.
- Work with regional COO teams to launch and manage pooled funds.
- Collaborate with the head of Investment Technology to deliver new tech platforms, systems infrastructure, modern data architecture, and data engineering.
- Ensure fit‑for‑purpose change management resources.
- Deliver large‑scale change management projects, including Project Everest.
- Manage custodians, pooled fund providers, and other strategic outsourced relationships.
Qualifications
- At least 15 years’ experience in asset management, culminating in a senior operations role.
- Proven success leading a complex investment operations organization with strong client delivery and a strong control environment.
- Deep expertise in operations, technology, and operating‑model design.
- Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks.
- Experience more important than academic qualifications; a degree expected.
- MBA or IMC is a nice to have.
Experience
- Deep experience in asset management operations leadership.
- Experience delivering derivatives (OTC and exchange‑traded), funds, and cash securities.
- Change management, including implementing systems infrastructure (Charles River, Broadridge, Bloomberg, Aladdin, etc.).
- Launch and management of pooled funds, potentially with third parties.
Specialist Knowledge / Skills
- Understanding of UK, European, and US asset‑management regulatory landscape (MiFID, EMIR, etc.).
- Knowledge of pooled fund structures relevant to institutional investors.
- Broad awareness of the technological underpinnings of operational systems.
- Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory and compliance implications.
- Understanding of data management and analytics to improve business value.
- Ability to apply technology for standardisation and operational efficiency.
Competencies and Characteristics
- Collaborative team player who leads, motivates, and empowers colleagues.
- Pragmatic, organised, and results‑oriented.
- Strategic thinker who switches comfortably between big picture and detail.
- Delivery‑focused with high energy and drive.
- Ability to cut through complexity and provide simple pragmatic solutions.
- Constructively challenges at all levels and pulls teams together to resolve issues.
- Communicates with impact and focus, navigating a large global organisation.
- Willing to work internationally, with some travel between offices.
Equal Opportunity EmployerMercer is an equal‑opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
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