Job Description

Join LGPS Central at a pivotal moment - where operational excellence powers long-term investment impact.

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Based in Wolverhampton, the Investment Operations Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of LGPS Central's investment operations. You'll work closely with the Head of Investment Operations to deliver a first-class operational platform that supports the management of over 45bn in assets - and growing.


This is a hands-on role, responsible for overseeing middle and back-office processes, managing key third-party relationships, and ensuring that our operational controls and governance frameworks remain strong as we expand. You'll collaborate across teams, from Investments and Risk to Finance and Compliance, ensuring accuracy, resilience, and consistency in everything we do.


As we prepare for the next stage of growth under the Government's "Fit for the Future" reforms including new Partner Funds, products, and asset classes this role offers a unique opportunity to shape how LGPS Central delivers operational excellence at scale.


If you thrive in a collaborative, high-performing environment and want to help build the infrastructure behind long-term, responsible investment - we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll be doing:

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As an Investments Operations Manager, here is a flavour of what you'll get involved in: Support the Head of Investment Operations in achieving operational targets for assets managed by LGPS Central Limited. Oversee daily and periodic middle and back-office functions, ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory standards. Act as a key point of escalation for operational matters, ensuring timely resolution and transparent communication with senior management. Manage relationships with outsourced vendors including Custodian, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent, and Middle Office providers. Participate in service reviews and oversight meetings, ensuring SLA adherence and continuous improvement. Contribute to the design and implementation of operational frameworks for new funds, products, and asset classes. Develop and maintain departmental procedures, ensuring documentation remains current and reflective of system, process, and product changes. Proactively identify, analyse, and mitigate operational risk through robust controls and sign-off processes. Lead on the preparation of management information and operational reporting for senior management and governance committees. Drive a service quality mindset across the team and recommend process and model improvements to support strategic goals. Deputise for the Head of Investment Operations as required.

About Us

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LGPS Central (LGPSC) Ltd is the FCA regulated asset manager for eight local authority pension funds across the Midlands. LGPSC is jointly owned on an equal shares basis by those Partner Fund, and it is responsible for managing 45bn+ of their assets. It is one of eight Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) asset pools in the UK.


LGPS Central's Partner Funds are:

Cheshire Pension Fund Derbyshire Pension Fund Leicestershire Pension Fund Nottinghamshire Pension Fund Shropshire Pension Fund Staffordshire Pension Fund West Midlands Pension Fund Worcestershire Pension Fund

The Company is committed to responsible investment and has made responsible investment a core part of the investment process in every asset class.


LGPS Central offers a friendly and diverse, hybrid working environment with a range of employee benefits. The Company moved to new premises at i9, Wolverhampton Interchange in January 2022, close to local transport links.


Our objective is to be a leading investment management company working with and for our Partner Funds. With a focus on value for money and performance we want to aspire to be one of the best because this is how we will deliver the superior investment returns and low costs for our Partner Funds.

Requirements

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Significant experience in middle and back-office operations within asset management or fund administration. Strong working knowledge of several asset classes, including Equities, Fixed Income, Derivatives (OTC & ETD), Private Equity/Debt, and Property. Strong understanding of Transfer Agency, Fund Accounting, Custody, and Depositary functions. Proven ability to manage and influence third-party service providers, with experience in performance oversight and SLA management. Excellent judgement and the ability to escalate issues appropriately. Clear, confident communicator with experience engaging at all organisational levels. Analytical and detail-oriented, with strong prioritisation skills based on risk and business impact. Some supervisory or leadership experience, ideally in a regulated investment environment. Knowledge of pension fund structures and investment administration is highly desirable. Strategic and tactical thinker who can balance long-term goals with day-to-day delivery. Committed to maintaining professional development.

Qualifications

IOC (Investment Operations Certificate) or equivalent required. Degree-level education preferred.

What do we offer?

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We are proud to provide our people with a premium and exclusive benefits package and we are continually improving the rewards we offer. Here are a few of the valuable rewards that you will enjoy:

Competitive salary An enhanced and generous Pension Scheme 30 days' paid holiday plus bank holidays 2 days paid volunteering days An extra paid Company Day in addition to paid holidays Excellent Learning & Development Opportunities Welfare and Family friendly policies Enhanced pay for new parents Access to our Employee Assistance Programme 247 Health & Wellbeing Support Vitality Private Medical Insurance Hybrid Working Company Service Awards Cycle to Work Scheme Company Electric Vehicle Scheme Nominees of the Family Friendly Employer of the Year 2022 Personnel Today Awards 2022 Winner of the Cultural Awareness Initiative of the Year FT Advisors Diversity in Finance Awards 2023 * Winner of Diversity and Inclusion Award LAPF In Investments Award 2023