What are the responsibilities and job description for the Managing Director, Head of Investments Operations - Hybrid position at Symetra?
About the Role
SIM is seeking to hire an experienced senior operations executive with deep experience in building, transforming, and leading operations organizations. This individual should have strong leadership and problem-solving skills with a growth mindset.
Company Information
Symetra Investment Management ("SIM") is a registered investment advisor and a subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation ("Symetra"), which also serves as the holding company for Symetra Life Insurance Company ("SLIC"), an A-rated carrier with over$50 billionin assets. Symetra Life Insurance Company is a diversified insurer offering(i)life insurance,(ii)fixed, fixed-indexed and registered-indexed annuities, and(iii)group stop loss, life and disability, and fixed indemnity products.In turn,Symetra is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Life, one of the top four life insurers in Japan, with over$250 billionin assets.
SIM has a long-termtrack recordof success in managing the assets of Symetra and its insurance subsidiaries. In addition, SIM invests in the U.S. markets for SumitomoLife,as well as for a small number of3rd-party accounts,bringing its total AUM toover$80billion.
This is a hybrid work role based in Farmington Connecticut.
What you will do
- Serve as the leader and business owner for Symetra Investment Management Operations, setting direction, defining governance, and maintaining a clear operating model across people, processes, and technology.
- Translate business objectives including portfolio management, client management and control objectives into operational and technical capabilities, prioritizing multi-stakeholder demand, and aligning funding to outcomes.
- Oversee Reporting and Investment Performance groups.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Portfolio Management, Trading, Finance, Technology, Legal and Compliance, and external providers to support investment operations.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, mitigate risks, and support the firm's rapid portfolio expansion.
- Modernize operating methodology employing automation, change management, and AI considerations.
- Ensure timely, accurate trade booking and lifecycle management; reduce fails and claims and strengthen intraday processing.
- Oversee position integrity through reconciliations, corporate actions, cash movements, and financing workflows.
- Oversee end-to-end alternatives investment processes.
- Define ownership and quality controls for reference, market, and transactional data; implement metrics, data lineage, and exception management.
- Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with custodians, brokers, and third-party vendors to ensure superior service delivery and cost-effectiveness.
- Oversee the interviewing and selection of staff, setting expectations and performance, administering compensation, and development and coaching for the Investment Operations area. Develops and maintains an engaged and accountable workforce.
- Build out, lead, and oversee client onboarding
- Build and maintain a robust control framework to improve accuracy, completeness, and timeliness across operations, including operational risk assessments.
- Partner with legal and compliance teams to support regulatory requirements, policy adherence, and audit readiness.
- Strategic Projects & Scalability: Lead system implementations, process redesigns, automation, and scalability initiatives to support business growth.
What we offer you
We don't take a "one-size-fits-all" approach when it comes to our employees. Our programs are designed to make your life better both at work and at home.
- Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%
- Self-Managed Time Away along with paid holidays
- Give back to your community and double your impact through our company matching
- Want more details? Check out Symetra Benefits Overview
Who you are
- 10 years in investment management operations leadership, with hands on expertise across trade lifecycle, financing, cash & collateral, reconciliations, and performance oversight-ideally with global multi-asset class experience.
- Must have led operational teams; 10 years of management experience.
- Deep understanding of data governance and controls, intraday processing, and end-to-end operating risk.
- Deep understanding of supporting external clients.
- Deep understanding of IBOR and ABOR platforms.
- Track record building enterprise grade processes and platforms that scale balancing specialized needs with overall firm priorities.
- Highly effective leader with strong judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to operate hands-on in a fast-paced, high-intensity investment environment. Strong organizational skills.
- Bachelor's degree is required.
Compensation
Salary Range: Min $210,000 - Max $260,000 plus eligibility for annual bonus program and long-term incentives.
At Symetra, we aspire to be the most inclusive insurance company in the country. We're building a place where every employee feels valued, respected, and has opportunities to contribute.
Symetra is a national financial services company dedicated to helping people achieve their financial goals and feel confident about the future. In our daily work, we're guided by the principles of Value, Transparency and Sustainability. This means we provide products and services people need at a competitive price, we communicate clearly and openly so people understand what they're buying, and we design products--and operate our company--to stand the test of time. We're committed to showing up for our communities, lifting up our employees, and standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Join our team and help us create a world where more people have access to financial freedom.
Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with our company.
- Minimum Internet Speed:100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, in alignment with the FCC's definition of "broadband."
- Internet Type:Fiber, Cable (e.g., Comcast, Spectrum), or DSL.
- Not Permissible:Satellite (e.g., Starlink), cellular broadband (hotspot or otherwise), any other wireless technology, or wired dial-up.
- Disqualification from the recruitment process
- Withdrawal of a job offer
- Termination of employment and other criminal and/or civil remedies, if fraud is discovered
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