Wealth Business Operations Lead (NC/RI)

The Business Operations Lead serves as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to the Head of Wealth Operations, enabling executive focus, organizational alignment, and operational excellence across the Wealth Operations organization. This role drives strategic initiatives, oversees critical business rhythms, enhances cross-functional coordination, and ensures execution of priorities that advance efficiency, scalability, risk mitigation, and client experience across all wealth-management operational functions.

The ideal candidate is an analytical, action-oriented leader who excels at orchestrating complex programs, influencing without authority, and creating structure in fast-paced environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Support & Strategic Partnership

• Act as a strategic thought partner to the Head of Wealth Operations, providing insights, recommendations, and decision-support analysis.
• Serve as an extension of the SVP’s leadership presence, managing follow-ups, and driving accountability across teams.
• Prepare executive-level briefings, materials, communications, and leadership presentations.

Operational Strategy & Execution

• Drive the development, monitoring, and execution of strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and enterprise initiatives.
• Lead or support large-scale operational projects (e.g., process modernization, platform migrations, regulatory readiness, transformation initiatives).
• Identify operational risks and gaps and partner with leaders to develop effective mitigation strategies.

Business Management & Governance

• Oversee business rhythm activities, including quarterly business reviews, weekly leadership meetings, regulatory deliverables, and OKR tracking.
• Support operational performance management through metrics, dashboards, and data-driven insights.
• Ensure organizational processes and communications flow efficiently between leadership, teams, and stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Coordinate and align with stakeholders across Technology, Compliance, Risk, Finance, HR, and other Wealth businesses.
• Facilitate collaboration among senior leaders to resolve issues, accelerate decisions, and improve outcomes.
• Lead working groups or committees addressing operational efficiency, client experience, and risk reduction.

Organizational Effectiveness & Culture

• Support leadership team development, meeting cadence, and strategic offsites.
• Champion a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Drive internal communications to ensure clarity, alignment, and engagement across the organization.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or related field.
• 5-10+ years of experience in financial services, wealth management, operations, strategy, consulting, or program management.
• Proven experience managing complex cross-functional initiatives in a regulated industry.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking capabilities.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment without direct authority.

Preferred

• FINRA Series 7 and 63 or 66 preferred.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Experience in wealth operations, custodial platforms, advisory services, or investment operations.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (e.g., SEC, FINRA) impacting wealth organizations.
• Background in process optimization, change management, or operational risk management.

Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking
• Executive Presence
• Relationship & Stakeholder Management
• Project & Program Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Adaptability & Agility
• Discretion & Confidentiality

Hours & Work Schedule:

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: M-F: 8:30 AM ET - 5:00 PM ET - 100% in office until fully trained then potential hybrid 4 days in office 1 day work from home

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Employer

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Background Check

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.