Chief Operating Officer

American Century Investment Services, Inc.

$208K — $250K *
Finance & Insurance
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of operational leadership experience in asset management or financial services
  • Proven track record of leading complex business transformations
  • Strong grasp of operations, governance, and risk management in asset management
  • Experience in AI-driven initiatives and data transformation
  • Exceptional leadership and communication skills
  • Integrity and ability to influence at all organizational levels
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Responsibilities

  • Lead global operations, business management, and administrative functions
  • Align investments, products, and operations to support growth
  • Drive AI and data transformations for operational improvements
  • Modernize technology infrastructure with cloud and AI solutions
  • Ensure efficiency and controls within back office operations
  • Translate strategy into actionable metrics and governance
  • Support strategic initiatives, including M&A and new business launches
  • Build and lead a high-performing, collaborative leadership team

Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package with bonus plan
  • Generous PTO and competitive benefits
  • 401k with 5% company match plus performance-based contributions
  • Tuition reimbursement and mentorship programs
  • Access to live and online learning opportunities
Full Job Description

Role Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will serve as a core member of the executive leadership team, responsible for driving operational excellence, enterprise scalability, and commercial execution across the organization. The COO will oversee the firm’s broader business management, back office, administrative operations, and business analysis functions, ensuring seamless coordination between strategy, execution and growth.

We are seeking a COO who brings deep leadership capability, an enterprise mindset, and a long-term commitment (7+ years) to this role.

The COO works with the CEO, CIO, and executive team to turn strategic goals into effective operating models. The role focuses on boosting productivity through process improvement, AI transformation, smarter decision making, and delivering top-tier client and employee experiences across a global asset management platform managing~$350B.

This role reports to the CEO and will serve as a member of the Management Committee.

This hybrid position will be based out of our Kansas City office.


How You Will Make an Impact

  • Lead the firm’s day-to-day global operating platform, including broader business management, back office, facilities, administrative operations, and business analysis functions.
  • Serve as the enterprise integrator, aligning investments, products, distribution, and operations to support growth, scale and client outcomes.
  • Drive enterprise AI and data transformation, including automation of operating processes, AI enabled analytics, personalization and real time performance management.
  • Modernize operating and technology infrastructure, partnering with technology leadership to implement scalable, cloud based and AI driven platforms across functions.
  • Oversee back office and administrative functions, ensuring efficiency, resiliency, strong controls, and effective vendor and service provider management.
  • Translate strategy into execution, establishing operating metrics, KPIs, and governance to ensure accountability and delivery against firm objectives.
  • Support strategic initiatives, including M&A, partnerships, and new business launches, with responsibility for operational due diligence, integration and execution.
  • Build and lead a high performing leadership team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across functions.
  • Function as a key interface with internal and external stakeholders, including the Board, regulators, and strategic partners, on operation and business performance.

What You Bring to the Team (Required)

  • 15+ years of progressive operational leadership experience within asset management, investment management, wealth management, or financial services
  • Demonstrated success leading operations, business management, or enterprise-wide initiatives in a complex organization
  • Strong understanding of asset management operations, governance, risk management, and regulatory environments
  • Experience leading large-scale change, business transformation, or growth initiatives, including AI-enabled transformation
  • High degree of integrity, business judgment, and ability to influence across all levels of an organization
  • Exceptional leadership, influencing, communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills
  • Demonstrates the American Century Investments Winning Behaviors: Client Focused, Courageous and Accountable, Collaborative, Curious and Adaptable, Competitively Driven
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field

Additional Assets (Preferred)

  • Experience supporting multi‑asset, global investment platforms
  • Direct involvement in enterprise‑wide AI, data, or digital transformation programs
  • MBA or advanced degree
  • Experience partnering with technology leadership, data architecture, and AI‑driven reporting solutions
  • Exposure to M&A, strategic investments, or business integrations within asset or wealth management
  • Strong executive presence and Board‑level communication skills
  • Global mindset, with experience operating across multiple geographies and regulatory regimes

The above statements are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

What We Offer

  • Competitive compensation package with bonus plan
  • Generous PTO and competitive benefits
  • 401k with 5% company match plus annual performance-based discretionary contribution
  • Tuition reimbursement, formal mentorship program, live and online learning

Employees are required to be in the office on a scheduled frequency. Adherence to this schedule is essential to fulfilling the expectations of the role.

#LI-Hybrid

American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

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