Wealth Custody and Clearing Principal Operations Officer, VP

Who we are looking for
Wealth Custody and Clearing is seeking an accomplished operations and risk leader to serve as Principal Operations Officer for our introducing broker-dealer. This executive will be responsible for the end-to-end management of day-to-day brokerage operations, including trading, account onboarding, cash management, account management, and advisor support. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in establishing new business lines and collaborating with internal and external partners to drive operational excellence and regulatory compliance. International and institutional experience is a strong plus, reflecting the global and sophisticated nature of our client base and operations. A digital-forward mindset and a passion for leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to transform operational workflows, drive automation, and optimize both team and individual productivity are essential for success in this role. This position reports to the Wealth Custody and Clearing COO, with a dual reporting line to the State Street CAO organization, and will be based in Boston, MA or Austin, TX.
Why this role is important to us
As Wealth Custody and Clearing expands into broker-dealer operations, robust operational leadership is essential to our reputation, client trust, and regulatory standing. The Principal Operations Officer will be the architect and owner of the operational framework for the new introducing broker-dealer, ensuring that all aspects of the business are designed, implemented, and operated in strict accordance with FINRA, SEC, and industry best practices. This role will work closely with the Business Risk Management Executive (BRME) and serve as a key partner to executive leadership, compliance, and technology teams. The ability to identify, implement, and scale AI-driven solutions is critical—enabling the organization to streamline complex processes, enhance accuracy, reduce manual intervention, and deliver a superior client and advisor experience.
What you will be responsible for
•    Oversee all day-to-day operations of the introducing broker-dealer, including brokerage operations, trading, account onboarding, cash management, account management, and advisor support.
•    Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of operational processes, controls, and systems to support business growth and regulatory compliance.
•    Champion the adoption and integration of AI-powered tools and automation technologies to drive workflow efficiency, reduce operational risk, and enable data-driven decision-making across all operational functions.
•    Partner with compliance and risk teams to ensure all operational activities align with FINRA, SEC, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
•    Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and controls for all brokerage operations functions.
•    Drive operational readiness for new business lines, including process design, resource planning, and technology enablement.
•    Serve as the primary point of contact for operational matters with internal and external partners, including custodians, clearing firms, and technology vendors.
•    Lead and mentor a high-performing operations team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
•    Collaborate with executive leadership to identify and mitigate operational risks, resolve escalations, and ensure seamless client service delivery.
•    Support the firm’s response to regulatory examinations, audits, and inquiries related to operations.
•    Prepare and deliver presentations for business risk committees, executive leadership, and the board of directors on operational performance, risks, and initiatives.
What we value
•    Deep, hands-on expertise in broker-dealer operations, including trading, account onboarding, cash management, account management, and advisor support.
•    Demonstrated experience establishing new business lines and working with partners to deliver operational excellence.
•    International and institutional experience, with an understanding of global markets, cross-border operations, and institutional client needs.
•    Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to proactively address business, regulatory, and technology risk exposures.
•    Ability to identify and articulate operational risk and control themes to senior management.
•    Experience with risk assessments, control design and effectiveness, and first line assurance events (audits).
•    Knowledge of key risk indicators, governance, oversight, and escalation practices for broker-dealer entities.
•    Strong execution management skills for delivery of operational programs and initiatives, including new business builds.
•    Ability to collaborate and work across multiple stakeholders, including legal, compliance, operations, and technology teams.
•    A digital-forward thinker who embraces innovation and is adept at leveraging AI and automation to drive continuous improvement, workflow transformation, and productivity optimization.
Education & Preferred Qualifications
•    Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree preferred.
•    12–15+ years of related experience, including 7–10+ years as part of a global leadership team.
•    Industry certifications (e.g., Series 7/24/63/79, CRCP, CCO) strongly preferred.
•    Demonstrated experience in broker-dealer operations and/or in building or operating a custodian or introducing broker dealer.
 

Salary Range:

The range quoted above applies to the role in the primary location specified. If the candidate would ultimately work outside of the primary location above, the applicable range could differ.

Job Application Disclosure:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.