The State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) Chief Operating Officer (COO) is seeking to hire a Head of Business Operations (HBO). This role will report directly to the SSGA COO and will play a critical role in the daily management of all aspects of the Office of the COO. The HBO will be a strategic partner and advisor to the COO. The HBO will function as the central point of coordination for business management across the division globally, providing management support and will be responsible for engaging all business management functions for daily execution and delivery. In addition, the HBO will be the conduit of key business and company information flow to the SSGA businesses and functions (e.g., Investment Management, Institutional, Cash, Global Client Coverage Group (CCG), Chief Business Office (CBO), Marketing, etc.) as well as to the supporting corporate functions across Global Delivery (GD), Alpha and Global Technology Services (GTS).

This HBO role will include strategic, operational, project and administrative responsibilities across the COO’s senior leadership team. The role will initially be an individual contributor and over time will require team management of key business management functions across the COO Organization. The role will provide an opportunity to work across the COO organization including all business operations, technology, vendor management, business risk and oversight, transformation, data governance and management, and global hubs (Poland, India, and China) to drive results, support strategic initiatives, improve processes, foster collaboration and alignment, and achieve more efficient operational performance.

As a key influencer in enabling the COO ability to execute on their priorities, the successful candidate will be highly resourceful, self-motivated and possess strong written and verbal communication, project management and analytical/financial skills. The ideal HBO will have a combination of focus and adaptability and display an eagerness to collaborate on a wide variety of tasks. The individual will also possess a high level of personal and professional integrity and sound judgment with the ability to work effectively with senior business leaders.

Responsibilities

Business Management of COO organization

• Partners with COO to set strategic and operational objectives, aligning to GA strategic priorities, to ensure the COO organization is meeting or exceeding financial and performance benchmarks/KPIs. Tracks performance against these objectives and identifies any risks to plan and works with senior leadership team to plan and execute mitigation strategies and initiatives.
• Builds strong relationships across the COO Executive Leadership team and their leadership teams to drive an array of initiatives.
• Partner with COO senior management to actively identify and implement process changes and organizational optimization.
• Key contributor in developing a strong risk and control culture across all regions.
• Drives development and production (in partnership with COO leadership), of productivity/efficiency metrics and business scorecards.
• Leads and manages the COO quarterly business review process, in partnership with COO leadership and business unit teams, as well as the timely delivery of action steps.
• Serves as key member of the COO’s leadership team; attends COO senior management meetings and drives agenda items; coordinates follow up with stakeholders to ensure execution of agreed-upon actions and effective flow of relevant information across the leadership team. Acts as representative / proxy for the COO on necessary GA regional and global operating committees.
• Partners closely with the COO’s Executive Assistant – ensures requested meetings are booked, follow-ups are closed out and ad-hoc items are addressed in a timely manner (in addition to other standard, regular meetings)

Strategic Initiatives (SI)

• Coordinates and manages projects/initiatives and commitments directly involving the COO’s key priorities. In partnership with other key members of the COO leadership team, the HBO develops and maintains an inventory of critical path projects most relevant to COO executive management. Allows the COO to focus on priority items; ensures alignment among key stakeholders, i.e., Investments, Global Client Coverage Group (CCG), Chief Business Office (CBO) and Corporate.
• Partners closely with the GA CAO Office to execute on the CEO’s high priority and critical initiatives to achieve annual business goals.
• Co-leads w/Finance and in partnership with the COO leadership team, the annual COO strategic investment prioritization process aligning with the budget process. Identifies risks and issues that could impact the successful execution of strategic priorities; escalates issues which the COO should be aware of and presents solutions to resolve the root cause and/or mitigate the risk.
• Leads special projects as assigned by the COO. These may include (but not be limited to) confidential and time sensitive matters or that require quick turnaround. Executes with minimal direction or outside assistance.
• Partners with Transformation team on GA/COO initiatives driving operational efficiencies, risk excellence and an improved client & employee end-user experience.

Annual Budget & Strategic Plan

• Partners with CEO’s office and SSGA Finance on budget and mid-year forecast (MYF) in close partnership with the COO leadership team. Manages routine budget requests and issues. Develop operating metrics and dashboards and implement regular operational reviews with key stakeholders.
• Partners with Corporate Strategy, COO leadership and SSGA Finance on strategic plan development and off-cycle adjustments to the plan.

Communications & Employee Engagement

• Ensures effective communications strategy and execution plan for the COO, including partnering with SSGA COO leadership in creating a compelling vision of the COO organization (with a goal of enhancing employee engagement), as well as managing other communication deliverables through identifying ways to leverage senior management team to deliver and reinforce key messages.
• Coordinates and develops a wide range of materials to support COO, including presentations, townhalls, speeches, etc.
• In consultation with COO and the State Street NEXT team, manage GA’s transition to a hybrid operating model, including overseeing technology rollout and space reallocations (where needed), analyzing in-office attendance data, providing periodic updates to State Street and GA executives, and serving as a single point of contact for Realty.
• Partners with COO leadership team and HR on the development of employee engagement improvement action plans
• Partners with the COO Leadership team on managing change management and organizational transformation.

Skills and qualifications:

• Strong strategic/financial analysis/commercial skills
• Results/action-orientation; project management skills
• Organizational and political agility; strong negotiation skills
• High Risk Excellence pedigree
• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, inclusion, and trust
• Demonstrated ability to effectively partner with senior level staff, middle management and support divisions as required to execute the COOs strategic objectives.
• Excellent quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with meticulous attention to detail
• The ability to create structured, detailed and compelling analyses addressed to various audiences within the ‎organization.
• Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
• Business acumen – ability to pre-empt questions and sense-check the facts and be able to display a general business knowledge across all COO-business lines.
• Effective at flexing and pivoting – be comfortable dealing with various changes and adapting to them.
• Networking – ability to find data, insights and proof points very quickly across the organization with very little direction and synthesize.
• Multi-task – ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, but also be able to focus on the most important deliverables of the moment through proper prioritization.
• Advanced communications skills - written/verbal - and interpersonal savvy (EQ)

Job Requirements:

• Minimum of 10 years of executive management experience
• A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in roles including strategy, leading global programs, and executing a portfolio of efforts with staff management
• A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in managing, leading and developing high performing cross organizational teams
• Asset Management experience required
• Overseas experience preferred.
• Undergraduate Degree required
• Advanced master’s degree (e.g., MBA) or other professional certification (e.g., CFA) preferred.

Are you the right candidate? Yes!

We truly believe in the power that comes from the diverse backgrounds and experiences our employees bring with them. Although each vacancy details what we are looking for, we don’t necessarily need you to fulfil all of them when applying. If you like change and innovation, seek to see the bigger picture, make data driven decisions and are a good team player, you could be a great fit.

About State Street Global Advisors

What We Do. As the asset management arm of State Street Corporation, State Street Global Advisors has served the world’s governments, institutions and financial advisors for over four decades. With a rigorous, risk-aware approach built on research, analysis and market-tested experience, we build from a breadth of active and index strategies to create cost-effective solutions. As stewards, we help portfolio companies see that what is fair for people and sustainable for the planet can deliver long-term performance. And, as pioneers in index, ETF, and ESG investing, we are always inventing new ways to invest. As a result, we have become one of the world’s largest asset managers with trillions of dollars under our care.

Our Mission. At State Street Global Advisors our mission is to invest responsibly to enable economic prosperity and social progress. We are driven by a desire to help our clients, and those who rely on them, achieve a better future. We have a long history of developing innovative investment strategies to provide our clients with reliable and transparent returns, cost-effectively, and without excessive risk.

Work, Live and Grow. We make all efforts to create a great work environment. Our benefits packages are competitive and comprehensive. Details vary by location, but you may expect generous medical care, insurance and savings plans, among other perks. You’ll have access to Flexible Work Programs to help you match your needs. And our wealth of development programs and educational support will help you reach your full potential.

Inclusion, Diversity and Social Responsibility. We truly believe our employees’ diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are a powerful contributor to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and reach their maximum potential while adding value to both our organization and our clients. We warmly welcome candidates of diverse origin, background, ability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and personality. Another fundamental value at State Street is active engagement with our communities around the world, both as a partner and a leader. You will have tools to help balance your professional and personal life, paid volunteer days, matching gift programs and access to employee networks that help you stay connected to what matters to you.

State Street is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Company: State Street Global Advisors

Salary Range:

$170,000 - $267,500 Annual

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.