Head of Private Markets Operations, RS&AM

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity to join Standard Life as Head of Private Markets Operations within our Retirement Solutions & Asset Management function. This is a key leadership role for an individual with significant experience across Private Markets operations, including pre-investment activity, trading support and trade lifecycle management. The successful candidate will bring extensive knowledge of private market investment products and operating models, alongside a proven ability to lead teams, build strong stakeholder relationships and drive operational excellence.

Job Type: Permanent

Location: This role could be based from our London, Edinburgh, Birmingham or Telford office with time spent working from home and from the office (3 days per week).

Flexible working: All roles are open to part‑time, job‑share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process. You can read more about flexible working here.

Salary: From £90,900 depending on experience.

• discretionary bonus
• private medical cover
• 38 days annual leave
• excellent pension
• 12x salary life assurance
• career breaks
• income protection
• 3x volunteering days

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We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.

Life today is increasingly complicated, uncertain and unpredictable. People move through different careers, face unexpected moments and navigate important choices. We offer our colleagues flexibility, trust and benefits that work for whatever life brings. In return we expect curiosity, connection, accountability and high standards. We make room for what matters - so you can bring your best, every day.

The role is responsible for shaping and leading the operating model and support framework across Private Markets and Counter party Onboarding activities within Capital Markets. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring robust governance, operational excellence and scalable processes that support the continued growth of private markets investing across credit, real assets and alternative investment strategies.

Reporting to the Head of Operations, this position provides strategic leadership across multiple specialist teams, overseeing the end‑to‑end investment lifecycle from pre‑trade governance and onboarding through to trade support, lifecycle management, regulatory reporting, vendor oversight and operational controls.

The role will play a key part in shaping future operating models, supporting new product launches and investment structures, leading the onboarding of counter parties and ensuring readiness for new business activities. It will also drive transformation initiatives and deliver scalable solutions that enhance efficiency, strengthen controls and improve client outcomes.

• Define and deliver the strategy, operating model and operational readiness framework for Private Markets and Strategic Onboarding activities.
• Lead, develop and inspire specialist teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and inclusion.
• Oversee middle office operations across private market asset classes, ensuring effective controls, accurate data management and efficient lifecycle event management.
• Own the end‑to‑end onboarding of counter parties, funds, platforms and investment structures, ensuring compliance with KYC, CDD, AML and regulatory requirements.
• Partner closely with Front Office, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Operations and external service providers to support business growth and new investment opportunities.
• Maintain a strong and effective governance, risk and control framework, leading audit activity, issue remediation and operational risk management.
• Lead and champion process optimisation, automation, technology adoption and continuous improvement…