Project Manager – Operations Readiness Lead - Transfer Agency

Overview

The Project Manager - Operations Readiness Lead (Transfer Agency) will own operational readiness for new client onboarding, ensuring the target operating model, operational processes, handoffs, procedures, resource needs, training, access, controls and model office inputs are designed, documented, tested and signed off before go-live.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational readiness activity for onboarding launches and conversions.
• Ensure client needs are understood and mapped against available services, identifying operational gaps and working with teams to close them.
• Lead or support due diligence, gap analysis, TOM design, global responsibility matrix, fund flow and handover design.
• Design and document operating models, internal handoffs and non-standard processes.
• Coordinate model office strategy, operational testing inputs, UAT support and go-live readiness activities.
• Develop detailed operational readiness plans covering impacted operations departments.
• Manage operational readiness BAs/SMEs, workflow challenges, issues and escalations.
• Track headcount, training needs, access requirements and procedure readiness.
• Prepare and progress non-standard process reports and risk/compliance reviews where required.
• Provide regular progress reporting and participate in senior management steering and workstream forums.
• Deliverables:
  • Operational readiness plan and checklist.
  • Target operating model and global responsibilities matrix.
  • Fund flow, reporting matrix, SLA/KPI/MIS inputs and handover matrix.
  • Gap log and operational issue/action tracker.
  • Training needs analysis and access requirements matrix.
  • Procedure plan and operational procedure readiness status.
  • Model office strategy/input pack and operational testing evidence.
  • Non-standard process report and compliance/risk review materials.
  • Operational readiness sign-off pack.
• Governance Responsibilities:
  • Lead governance for operational readiness workstream meetings and status reporting.
  • Provide operational readiness input to steering committees and senior management forums.
  • Maintain evidence of readiness, issue resolution, sign-offs and non-standard process approvals.
  • Ensure operational design and procedures meet internal controls, risk, compliance and regulatory expectations.
  • Track readiness risks, issue closure, training completion, access readiness and go-live decision inputs.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or relevant professional qualification.
• PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent project/programme management certification.
• Experience with implementation lifecycle, SDLC documentation, UAT, model office, transition planning or business readiness activity.
• Knowledge of compliance, AML, data protection, financial crime prevention, client asset or regulated operating environments.
• Experience with model office strategy, UAT, operational procedure design and process improvement.

Essential skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to simplify complex delivery information for senior stakeholders and clients.
• Strong organisation, prioritisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams under tight deadlines.
• Proactive problem solving, issue resolution, escalation management and the ability to create momentum across teams.
• Confident use of Microsoft Office tools, project plans, status reports, RAID logs, runbooks and governance materials.
• Strong operating model design, readiness planning, workflow analysis and operational control mindset.
• Ability to manage direct and indirect teams in virtual or matrix settings.

Experience

• Proven experience in Transfer Agency operations and/or Transfer Agency client onboarding, conversions, fund launches, or operational change projects within a regulated financial services environment. 
• Significant experience delivering complex client-facing onboarding, conversion, launch, or transformation projects within a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong understanding of Transfer Agency operating models, mutual fund products, fund setup, client servicing, investor lifecycle events, and distribution channels.
• Demonstrated project delivery expertise, including planning, dependency management, risk and issue management, governance, reporting, and stakeholder communications.
• Experience working within a matrix environment, managing multiple internal functions, senior stakeholders, clients, and third-party providers.
• Practical experience managing project documentation, governance packs, sign-offs, workstream reporting, and delivery artefacts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge of regulated financial services controls, operational risk frameworks, legal/compliance review processes, and client governance requirements.
• Understanding of onboarding and implementation activities including due diligence, gap analysis, target operating model (TOM) design, fund flows, SLA/KPI frameworks, management reporting, and business readiness/handover planning.

Benefits

At Expleo, we are committed to providing a competitive salary and substantial benefits offering with unique wellbeing, financial and employee recognition programmes.

We pride ourselves on our diverse and inclusive culture and offer a variety of family friendly policies and enhanced leave to help you achieve a healthy work life balance.

By providing significant learning and development opportunities, we encourage individual growth and success throughout your career with us.

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects
• Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses
• Competitive company benefits such as medical and dental insurance, pension, life assurance, employee wellbeing programme, sports and social events, birthday hampers and much more!
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and question the status quo.

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”.

At Expleo, we understand that many people experience impostor syndrome throughout their lifetime, please do not let this discourage you from applying for this role. Our Talent Acquisition Team welcomes all CV’s and will consider your application in line with the values, requirements and role competencies.