Horizon Recruitment has been engaged exclusively to conduct a search for the Vice President, Operations for a leading financial services firm headquartered in Vancouver. The Vice President, Operations will lead a 30+ member operations team responsible for managing cash and securities processing functions. Reporting directly to the COO, this role requires exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of self-clearing financial services. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in implementing best practices, enhancing process efficiency, and fostering a culture of accountability, compliance, and operational excellence. Our client is one of Canada’s largest independent investment dealers with approximately 300 employees across the country. With $10 billion in assets under administration our client enjoys a leadership position in the industry servicing both institutional and private clients.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & People Management:
- Provide strong leadership and mentorship to a team of approximately 30+ operations professionals, focusing on engagement, development, and performance management.
- Cultivate a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes continuous learning and improvement.
- Set clear goals and expectations, ensuring alignment of team objectives with company goals.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, offering coaching and development opportunities to support career growth within the team.
Operational Oversight:
- Oversee all aspects of cash and securities processing operations, ensuring secure and compliant handling of financial transactions.
- Monitor and manage the firm's capital usage as it relates to operational activities
- Implement and enforce strict internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure adherence to regulatory standards including:
- Manage operational side of annual CIRO FINOPS audit
- Manage operational side annual fiscal audit
- Ensure the Operations team is operating within CIRO regulations
- Monitor and assess key metrics, including transaction processing times, accuracy rates, and operational costs, to drive continuous improvement and uphold service quality.
Process Optimization:
- Evaluate current operational processes to identify areas for improvement and increased efficiency.
- Ownership of the TMX Post Trade Modernization (PTM) project ensuring team members are trained and prepared for the new system for the 1st quarter of 2025.
- Develop and implement new procedures that enhance operational efficiency, reduce risk, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives to streamline workflows, introduce automation where applicable, and eliminate process redundancies.
Strategic Planning & Reporting:
- Collaborate with the COO to align departmental goals with the organization’s strategic vision.
- Prepare and deliver regular reports on team performance, key operational metrics, and process improvements.
- Work closely with other departments to support company-wide initiatives, contributing to overall growth and success.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- 10+ years of progressive operational leadership experience in a financial services organization, ideally with a self clearing organization.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field; an MBA or relevant certification is an asset.
- Extensive knowledge of securities processing, settlement, compliance requirements, and operational best practices in a self-clearing environment.
- Proven ability to lead a large team, drive high performance, and effectively manage diverse skill sets.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience in conflict resolution, coaching, and team development.
- Expertise in identifying inefficiencies and implementing practical, scalable solutions to enhance process quality and effectiveness.
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other process optimization methodologies is advantageous.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex operational data, identify trends, and make informed strategic decisions.
- Experience in setting and achieving strategic goals, particularly in operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Rewards:
- The salary range for this position is $200 - $225K, plus bonus
Our client offers a unique opportunity for an operations leader passionate about driving efficiency, enhancing processes, and leading a high-performing team in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment. If you are a results-driven operations professional with a commitment to excellence, we invite you to apply.
**Only candidates eligible to work in Canada will be considered**
Horizon Recruitment Inc. is a specialized recruitment and search firm with two complimentary practice areas: Finance & Supply Chain