The Director of Operations & Settlement Management is responsible for overseeing all operational, settlement, and post-trade activities associated with the firm's fixed income capital markets and private placement business. The role will lead the end-to-end settlement process for over 50 Rule 144A and Section 4(a)(2) bond offerings, coordinate with Aon Securities' custodian, issuers, investors, legal counsel, trustees, paying agents, DTC and Euroclear, and ensure accurate execution of transactions through closing.
The chosen applicant will possess deep expertise in debt capital markets operations, primary market bond issuance, securities settlement, cash movement, and operational risk management. The individual will serve as the primary operational lead on transaction execution and investor settlement activities while maintaining robust controls, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
What the day will look likeTransaction Execution & Settlement Management- Lead operational execution for Rule 144A and Section 4(a)(2) debt fixed income offerings from mandate through closing.
- Work closely with Aon Treasury and Aon Securities Distribution colleagues and other internal team members, and coordinate all settlement activities including:
- Depository Trust Company (DTC), Euroclear, Paying Agents, Trustees, Legal Counsel, Issuers, and trade execution with the firm's investors.
- Manage securities eligibility, CUSIP/ISIN setup, DTC activation, and Euroclear admission processes.
- Review and validate closing documentation, settlement instructions, funding flows, and allocation details.
- Oversee cash and securities settlement on closing dates.
- Resolve settlement exceptions and operational discrepancies.
- Monitor transaction timelines and ensure all critical achievements are reached prior to closing.
Capital Raising & Investor Operations- Lead investor onboarding and settlement readiness processes.
- Ensure accurate recordkeeping of commitments, allocations, and settlement instructions.
- Serve as primary operational contact for institutional investors during transaction execution.
Operational Risk & Controls- Build and maintain robust operational controls surrounding transaction processing and settlement.
- Design procedures to mitigate settlement, funding, documentation, and counterparty risks.
- Ensure segregation of duties and adherence to internal control standards.
- Identify improvements in execution and automation opportunities to improve scalability.
- Maintain operational incident management and resolution framework.
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight- Ensure operational compliance with applicable SEC, FINRA, MSRB, and broker-dealer requirements.
- Maintain accurate books and records relating to securities transactions and settlement activity.
- Partner with the firm's Compliance and Legal teams on regulatory examinations and audits.
- Support annual operational and compliance reviews.
Vendor & Infrastructure Management- Lead operational relationships with:
- DTC
- Euroclear
- Trustees
- Transfer Agents
- Investors
- Paying Agents
- Custodians
- Banking Partners
- Evaluate and implement technology solutions to improve transaction processing efficiency.
- Lead integration and enhancement of settlement and transaction management platforms.
Team Leadership- Build and lead a high-performing operations function.
- Mentor and develop operations personnel.
- Establish departmental KPIs and service standards.
- Champion a culture of accountability, control, and client service excellence.
Experience- Minimum 10 years of experience within broker-dealer operations, fixed income and/or equity capital markets operations, investment banking operations, or securities settlement.
- Direct experience supporting Rule 144A and Section 4(a)(2) offerings.
- Demonstrated expertise with DTC and Euroclear settlement processes.
- Experience leading primary issuance and institutional distribution operations.
- Prior supervisory or team leadership experience.
Technical KnowledgeStrong understanding of:
- U.S. Debt Capital Markets
- Corporate Bonds
- Private Placements
- Structured Finance Transactions
- Rule 144A Offerings
- Section 4(a)(2) Transactions
- DTC Settlement Processes
- Euroclear Settlement Processes
- CUSIP and ISIN Administration
- Paying Agent and Trustee Functions
- Securities Funding and Cash Settlement
- Trade Support and Post-Trade Operations
- Broker-Dealer Regulatory Requirements
Education- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, or related field.
Key Competencies- Exceptional transaction management skills.
- Strong understanding of securities operations and settlement mechanics.
- Ability to run multiple live transactions simultaneously.
- High attention to detail and operational rigor.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to lead under tight deadlines and fast-paced environments.
Success MeasuresThe successful candidate will:
- Deliver timely and accurate settlement of all annual bond issuances.
- Maintain strong regulatory and audit outcomes.
- Enhance operational scalability as transaction volumes grow.
- Build trusted relationships with issuers, investors, trustees, custodians, and market infrastructure providers.
- Establish a best-in-class operational framework supporting the firm's capital raising and debt issuance activities.
How we support our colleagues In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage an inclusive workforce. Plus, our agile environment allows you to manage your wellbeing and work/life balance, ensuring you can be your best self at Aon. Furthermore, all colleagues enjoy two "Global Wellbeing Days" each year, encouraging you to take time to focus on yourself. We offer a variety of working style solutions for our colleagues as well.
Our continuous learning culture inspires and equips you to learn, share and grow, helping you achieve your fullest potential. As a result, at Aon, you are more connected, more relevant, and more valued.
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