Investment Operations Manager

Job Description

Location: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai, UAE

The Company

Our client is a leading investment company in Kuwait and is now expanding to serve a broader client base across the GCC and international markets. Its core purpose is to facilitate cross-border capital flows and partnerships while offering tailored financial solutions in high-growth sectors such as fintech, real estate, and renewables.

Job purpose

Our client is launching an investment platform that will initially manage stand‑alone investment portfolios, transitioning later into regulated fund structures. The Investment Operations Manager will act as the central operational oversight point, coordinating all outsourced operational functions — including the Outsourced Middle‑Office Partner, Custodian, and future Transfer Agent / Fund Administrator — while also managing general operations and internal projects within the DIFC office.

This role ensures that the firm maintains strong governance, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance within a lean, outsourced operating model.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Oversee daily IBOR and portfolio accounting deliverables.
• Review cash, position, and pricing reconciliations; track discrepancies and ensure timely resolution.
• Monitor trade lifecycle activities including trade capture, matching, settlement status, and amendments.
• Review valuation files, exposure reports, performance and attribution outputs, and risk analytics.
• Ensure the Middle‑Office Partner adheres to agreed timelines, controls, and escalation processes.

• Monitor settlement cycles, corporate actions, income events, and cash movements handled by the Custodian.
• Reconcile custody statements against IBOR records and escalate inconsistencies.
• Oversee liquidity flows, funding requirements, and foreign exchange activity.
• Validate income accruals, asset servicing, and market event impacts.

• Oversee investor onboarding (KYC/AML), subscribe/redeem processes, and investor register maintenance.
• Review investor statements, capital activity files, and distribution calculations.
• Ensure alignment across fund records, investor registers, IBOR data, and custody positions.
• Coordinate the operational setup for new fund launches.

• Support the Senior Executive Officer in the overall management of the DIFC office operations.
• Lead operational and cross‑functional projects, including process improvements, systems enhancements, and regulatory readiness initiatives.
• Oversee internal controls, procedural documentation, and business continuity processes.
• Coordinate external service providers for office operations (legal, compliance, IT support, administrative vendors).
• Prepare materials for internal committees, management reporting, and regulatory submissions.

• Maintain and enhance the firms operational oversight framework across all outsourced service lines.
• Produce monitoring dashboards covering reconciliations, breaks, exposures, trade activity, and operational KPIs.
• Support internal/external audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory assessments.
• Maintain and update policies, procedures, and responsibility matrices (RACI).

• Support portfolio managers with operational needs, trade issues, and instrument onboarding.
• Perform data validations, pricing checks, and instrument eligibility assessments.
• Monitor corporate actions, income accruals, and market developments affecting portfolios.
• Ensure operational readiness for new investment strategies or product launches.

• Act as the firm's main operational liaison with all outsourced providers.
• Lead periodic service review meetings and track KPIs, deliverables, and continuous‑improvement items.
• Coordinate workflows across the Middle‑Office Partner, Custodian, and other providers.
• Maintain strong communication channels and escalation protocols.

• 5–10 years in buy‑side operations, middle office, fund operations, or custody oversight.
• Strong understanding of:
• Trade lifecycle (fixed income & equities)
• Cash/position/pricing reconciliations
• IBOR vs ABOR frameworks
• Custody and settlement cycles
• Corporate actions & income events
• Performance and basic risk concepts
• Experience working within an outsourced operational model is preferred.
• DIFC/DFSA experience is an advantage.

• High attention to detail and strong ownership mindset.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and coordination skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple workflows in a fast‑paced environment.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• Professional qualifications (CFA, CAIA, IMC) are advantageous.