Director, COO, Investment Operation, Middle Office, Investments, Wealth Management – Permanent

My client, a leading global investment bank, is looking to hire a COO-Investments to lead the middle office division of their Wealth Management arm, based in London. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for overseeing the strategic and operational functions of the Investments platform within Private Banking & Wealth Management

The COO will act as a conduit between the Investments business and the wider organisation, covering multiple ExCo members and driving initiatives across strategy, governance, operations, and cultural change. The role offers significant exposure at the most senior levels, with responsibility for shaping operating models, managing risk frameworks, and embedding transformation across the front-to-back process.

What is expected by the COO – Investments:

• Lead the middle office function, including building and embedding the team and operating model.
• Act as business partner to senior ExCo members, ensuring alignment of business strategy with operational delivery.
• Conduct front-to-back process reviews, identifying opportunities for efficiency and implementing scalable solutions.
• Drive the development of the risk framework across Investments.
• Partner with transformation and operations teams to deliver change initiatives, including system/process improvements.
• Provide cultural leadership – fostering a hands-on, delivery-focused, and collaborative environment.
• Represent the business in senior stakeholder forums, challenging and influencing where necessary.

Essential skills required by the COO – Investments:

• Proven track record in senior COO, Business Manager, or equivalent leadership roles within wealth management.
• Deep understanding of UHNW client coverage, product complexity, and the operational infrastructure that supports this.
• Strong stakeholder management skills – able to hold their own in senior forums.
• Experience leading middle office, operations, or change functions, ideally in a private bank or investment manager.
• Excellent organisational, governance, and delivery skills with a strong cultural awareness.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational execution.