The Trade Ops Group Manager is responsible for the end to end leadership of trade execution, post trade processing, and operational support across all asset classes and across all custodians within the Wealth platform. This role ensures best execution, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and a high quality advisor and client experience.
The role serves as the senior owner of trading and trade operations strategy, execution oversight, vendor and custodian relationships, and continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate brings deep market structure knowledge, operational rigor, and strong leadership experience in a regulated financial services environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Trade Execution Leadership
Oversee daily trade execution activities across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, options, alternatives, and other supported products.
Ensure best execution practices aligned with fiduciary obligations, regulatory requirements, and firm policies.
Establish and maintain execution strategies, trading protocols, and escalation procedures for market volatility or disruptions.
Partner with Compliance and Legal to ensure adherence to SEC, FINRA, and other regulatory standards.
Trade Operations & Post Trade Processing
Lead all post trade operational functions, including confirmations, allocations, settlements, reconciliations, fails management, and corporate actions.
Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and control integrity across the full trade lifecycle.
Own operational readiness for new products, platforms, custodians, or regulatory changes.
Drive root cause analysis and resolution of trade breaks, settlement issues, and operational incidents.
Risk Management & Controls
Design and maintain strong operational controls to mitigate execution, settlement, and counterparty risk.
Partner with Risk and Compliance on audits, regulatory exams, and issue remediation.
Monitor key risk indicators (KRIs), trade error trends, and exception reporting.
Ensure effective documentation of procedures, controls, and business continuity plans.
Technology, Platforms & Vendors
Key stakeholder in relationships with trading platforms, custodians, broker dealers, and third party service providers.
Partner with Technology teams to enhance trading tools, straight through processing, and automation.
Lead system upgrades, integrations, and platform migrations impacting trade execution or operations.
Evaluate and implement technology solutions to improve scalability, transparency, and efficiency.
Strategic Leadership & Continuous Improvement
Develop and execute the strategic roadmap for trade execution and operations, aligned with Wealth Operations goals.
Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce manual processes, and improve turnaround times.
Lead largescale initiatives such as outsourcing decisions, centralization efforts, or operating model changes.
Establish and track performance metrics, service level agreements (SLAs), and operational KPIs.
People & Organizational Leadership
Lead, develop, and mentor highperforming trading and trade operations teams.
Establish clear roles, accountability, and career development paths.
Foster a culture of risk awareness, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Ensure appropriate staffing, coverage models, and succession planning.
Stakeholder & Advisor Partnership
Serve as a key point of contact for advisors, product team, and senior leadership.
Translate complex trading and operational topics into clear, actionable insights for nontechnical stakeholders.
Support advisor education on trading processes, execution quality, and operational capabilities.
Qualifications:
Required:
FINRA Series 7, 63 or 66, required and FINRA Series 24, 53, and 4 required or ability to obtain.
10–15+ years of experience in trading, trade operations, or investment operations within wealth management, asset management, or broker dealer environments.
Deep understanding of market structure, trade lifecycle, and best execution standards.
Demonstrated leadership of large, complex teams and cross functional initiatives.
Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements (SEC, FINRA, MSRB, etc.).
Exceptional analytical, problem solving, and decision making skills.
Preferred:
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field.
Experience across multiple asset classes and custodial platforms.
Background in operational risk management, process redesign, or technology transformation.
Experience supporting advisor led or discretionary portfolio management models.
Core Competencies:
Trade Execution & Market Expertise
Operational Excellence
Risk & Control Discipline
Strategic Thinking
Vendor & Platform Management
Regulatory & Compliance Awareness
Leadership & Talent Development
Stakeholder Communication
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
Job Applicant Data Privacy Policy
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.
Citizens Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Office
4250 Congress St, Charlotte, NC, United States, 28209
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