Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

This job is posted on behalf of Keenbee Talent Soluitions by Top Echelon.

About the Opportunity

An Albuquerque-based financial services company is seeking an Operations Manager to lead its daily back office operations. This position oversees a ten-person team across account services, transaction processing, and asset custody.

The Operations Manager will establish priorities, develop employees, strengthen accountability, and improve operational performance while working closely with the Chief Operating Officer.

This is a hands-on leadership role that requires staying close to daily workflows, supporting complex escalations, and coaching employees without carrying a routine transaction processing queue.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across account openings, account funding, distributions, transfers, asset transactions, cash management, custody, and recordkeeping.

• Establish daily priorities, assign clear ownership and deadlines, and balance workloads to meet service standards.

• Monitor processing queues, turnaround times, backlogs, and accuracy; report performance and emerging concerns to senior leadership.

• Resolve complex transactions, exceptions, and client escalations, involving senior management and compliance expertise as needed.

• Coach employees through regular one-on-ones, timely feedback, and clear performance expectations.

• Address performance concerns fairly and consistently in partnership with HR.

• Develop future team leads and supervisors, coordinate cross-training, and plan staffing coverage for absences and peak processing periods.

• Participate in hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, and compensation recommendations.

• Ensure work follows established procedures, internal controls, and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Partner with compliance and audit on reviews, examinations, and corrective actions.

• Identify process gaps and lead improvements to procedures, workflows, and technology.

What Success Looks Like

The team operates with clear priorities, dependable turnaround times, accurate processing, and timely resolution of escalations. Employees receive consistent coaching and cross-training, operational risks are identified promptly, and leadership has a clear understanding of performance and improvement priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Seven or more years of financial services operations experience, including at least three years directly supervising or managing a back office team.

• Demonstrated success managing workloads, processing queues, and service levels in a deadline-driven environment.

• Experience coaching employees, addressing underperformance, and developing staff for greater responsibility.

• Working knowledge of financial transaction processing, account administration, recordkeeping, and internal controls.

• Sound judgment when handling exceptions and escalations, with strong attention to accuracy and follow-through.

• Clear written and verbal communication with employees, clients, and senior leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in banking, trust operations, asset custody, investment operations, or another regulated financial services environment.

• Experience overseeing complex transactions and maintaining accurate financial records.

• Familiarity with financial operations platforms, workflow management systems, or process automation.

• Experience improving operational efficiency, service quality, and employee performance.

• Exposure to regulatory examinations and internal audits.