Financial Services Operations Manager

We are seeking an Financial Services Operations Manager to oversee daily back-office operations for our client's self-directed IRA custody business. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this hands-on leadership role manages a team of approximately 10 employees across account services, transaction processing, and asset custody. The Financial Services Operations Manager sets daily priorities, maintains service levels, resolves escalated issues, develops employees, and ensures work is completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with established procedures and applicable requirements. This role focuses on leading and improving team performance rather than carrying a routine processing workload.

Job Responsibilities for the Financial Services Operations Manager:

• Oversee daily back-office operations, including account openings, contributions and distributions, asset purchases and sales, transfers, rollovers, cash management, custody, and recordkeeping.
• Set daily priorities, assign ownership and deadlines, and adjust workloads based on transaction volume, staffing, deadlines, and exceptions.
• Monitor queues, backlogs, turnaround times, service-level standards, and operational metrics; report results and concerns to senior leadership.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex transactions and client-impacting issues, ensuring timely resolution and appropriate follow-through.
• Plan staffing and cross-training to maintain coverage during peak periods, tax-season deadlines, and employee absences.
• Coach employees, conduct regular one-on-ones, set performance expectations, address performance concerns, and develop high-potential employees for future leadership roles.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, and compensation recommendations.
• Ensure procedures, internal controls, and operational practices align with applicable IRS, state trust, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with compliance and audit teams on reviews, examinations, and corrective actions.
• Identify process gaps and lead improvements to procedures, controls, technology, and workflow efficiency.
• Maintain visible, hands-on management by monitoring work in progress, confirming training is effective, tracking action items, and escalating unresolved risks to the COO.

Required Qualifications for the Financial Services Operations Manager:

• At least 7 years of experience in financial services operations, including 3 or more years directly supervising or managing a back-office team.
• Working knowledge of IRA rules and processes, including contributions, distributions, rollovers, transfers, prohibited transactions, and tax reporting Forms 5498 and 1099-R.
• Demonstrated success managing workloads, queues, backlogs, and service levels in a deadline-driven processing environment.
• Proven ability to coach employees, establish accountability, address performance issues, and develop staff into leadership roles.
• Strong judgment, attention to detail, and understanding of operational controls and exception handling.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with staff, clients, and senior leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience with a self-directed IRA custodian, trust company, or retirement plan administrator.
• Familiarity with alternative assets such as real estate, private placements, promissory notes, and precious metals.
• Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP), Certified Retirement Services Professional (CRSP), or a similar designation.
• Experience with trust accounting or custody systems, workflow automation, or process improvement initiatives.
• Exposure to state banking or trust examinations and internal audits.

Compensation for the Financial Services Operations Manager:

$85,000 - $105,000 Annually

Pay: $85,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $85,000 - $105,000