Investment Operations Manager - UAEN Role

Role Overview

Investment Operations Manager at Emirates Investment Authority, based in the UAE.

Role Purpose

The Investment Operations Manager manages key components of the investment operations function, ensuring effective execution, strong risk controls, and operational efficiency across the full investment lifecycle. The role oversees operational processes, supports governance, manages complex workflows, and contributes to processing efficiency and transformation initiatives aligned with EIA's operating model.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Oversight & Execution

• Oversee and manage the end-to-end investment operations lifecycle, including trade capture and validation, trade confirmation and matching, clearing and settlement (DVP/RVP, FOP, CCP-cleared), cash and position reconciliations (custodian vs internal records), corporate actions processing (mandatory and voluntary events), and investment data management and reporting.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of financial products across public markets instruments (equities listed and OTC, fixed income government and corporate and structured notes, ETFs), derivatives (futures, options, swaps including IRS and CDS, FX derivatives including forwards and swaps, margining and collateral management), private markets (private equity, infrastructure, real estate funds with capital calls, distributions, NAV tracking), loans and credit instruments (syndicated loans, bilateral lending, loan servicing and interest calculations), and cash and liquidity instruments (money market instruments, deposits, treasury operations).
• Demonstrate deep understanding of the trade lifecycle, including order execution and trade booking, allocation and confirmation, clearing via central counterparties (CCPs) or bilateral arrangements, settlement flows across custodians and payment systems, and post-settlement activities including reconciliations and reporting.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and complete execution of all operational activities in accordance with market deadlines, cut-off times, and settlement cycles (T+0, T+1, T+2, etc.).
• Monitor and manage KPIs, SLAs, and operational metrics, proactively identifying bottlenecks and implementing corrective actions.

Control Framework & Risk Management

• Ensure strict adherence to internal control frameworks, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all operational processes.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks, including settlement failures, breaks and reconciliation discrepancies, counterparty and custodial risks, and data integrity issues.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation, ensuring full traceability of transactions and controls.
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and compliance assessments.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g., EMIR, MiFID II, AML/KYC requirements) and KYC/CDD processes, onboarding documentation, and ongoing monitoring obligations.

Data, Systems & Process Improvement

• Ensure accuracy, integrity, and consistency of investment data across multiple systems (front-office, middle-office, custodians, and accounting platforms).
• Lead and support process improvement initiatives, focusing on automation of manual processes, reduction of operational risk, and enhancement of data quality and reporting.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of SWIFT.
• Collaborate with IT and vendors to ensure optimal system performance and data architecture alignment.

Stakeholder & Vendor Coordination

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including Investment / Front Office, Finance and Accounting, Risk Management, Compliance and Legal, and Information Technology.
• Manage relationships with external service providers, including global custodians, fund administrators, brokers and counterparties, and market infrastructure providers.
• Act as a key point of contact for operational issue resolution, ensuring timely escalation and closure.
• Ensure service providers meet agreed service levels and contractual obligations.

Reporting & Governance

• Prepare and deliver management reporting, including operational dashboards, KPI and SLA reporting, and exception and incident reporting.
• Support governance structures, including risk and control forums and audit and compliance reviews.
• Ensure alignment with organizational governance frameworks, including policies, risk appetite, and reporting standards.

Strategic Initiatives

• Support the implementation of the Investment Operations strategy and operating model.
• Drive process standardization, efficiency, and control enhancements.
• Contribute to digital transformation, automation, and system improvements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as CFA, CISI, CPA, FRM or equivalent are preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience in investment operations, asset management, or financial services.
• Proven experience managing end-to-end investment operations across multiple asset classes.
• Strong understanding of operational risk frameworks and control environments.
• Experience in transformation initiatives, automation, or system implementation projects is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of the investment operations lifecycle across asset classes, particularly securities (equities, fixed income), derivatives (listed and OTC), cash and liquidity instruments, and loans operations.
• Understanding of trade processing and settlement mechanics, custody models and asset servicing, cash management and liquidity flows, SWIFT and accounting principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.