Lead Service Operations Specialist

About Our Company

We’re a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of year-end 2024. Our team of 22,000 people across 19 countries, serves more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses – Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

Job Description

Ameriprise Financial is seeking a Lead Service Operations Specialist to establish, manage, and evolve the centralized Security Master function supporting AEIS and the Clearing Broker Dealer.
This is a highly visible role for an experienced financial services professional who enjoys building strong operational processes, solving complex problems, and working across organizational boundaries. You will serve as a primary subject matter expert for security master data and operations while helping define the strategy, governance, controls, and processes that support accurate and scalable security setup and maintenance.
The role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across Operations, Technology, Product, Risk, and Compliance, improving data quality, reducing operational and regulatory risk, and creating a stronger foundation for future growth.

What You’ll Do

Lead the Security Master Function

• Establish, manage, and maintain the centralized Security Master function supporting AEIS and the Clearing Broker Dealer.
• Serve as a key subject matter expert for security setup, maintenance, data integrity, pricing support, and related operational processes.
• Develop and maintain effective governance, procedures, controls, and quality standards.
• Provide operational leadership and guidance to team members and business partners without requiring direct reporting relationships.

Drive Operational Excellence

• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate security master processes.
• Lead process improvement efforts focused on increasing efficiency, strengthening data quality, and reducing operational risk.
• Conduct quality reviews and monitor process performance to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop reporting and operational insights to support effective decision-making and ongoing process management.

Lead Projects & Change

• Lead business and operational projects involving security master capabilities, products, systems, and processes.
• Translate business needs into clear requirements and partner with Technology and other stakeholders through design, testing, implementation, and stabilization.
• Help lead change initiatives, ensuring new processes and capabilities are effectively adopted across impacted teams.
• Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills to complex operational challenges.

Strengthen Risk, Controls & Compliance

• Ensure processes operate in alignment with applicable policies, controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Risk, Compliance, Operations, and other stakeholders to identify and mitigate operational risks.
• Support regulatory, audit, and control-related activities involving security master data and processes.
• Promote strong controls and disciplined execution while enabling an efficient operating environment.

Build Strong Partnerships

• Develop trusted relationships across CLEAR Clearing, Technology, Operations, Product, Risk, and Compliance.
• Communicate complex operational and technical issues in a clear, practical way for diverse audiences.
• Influence decisions and drive outcomes across teams without direct authority.
• Serve as a trusted resource for leaders and partners seeking expertise related to security master operations.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience leading projects, process improvements, operational analysis, or business change initiatives.
• Experience working with compliance requirements, operational controls, or regulated processes.
• Demonstrated experience coaching, mentoring, or providing indirect leadership to others.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage priorities and deliver results under deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships, influence partners, and drive results across teams.
• FINRA Series 99 required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Financial services, brokerage, clearing, or product-specific operations experience.
• Experience with security master, reference data, securities setup and maintenance, pricing, or related brokerage operations.
• FINRA Series 7 and/or Series 24.
• Knowledge of Ameriprise customer policies, operating procedures, systems, or business processes.
• Experience supporting cross-functional transformation or operational change.

Visa Sponsorship

Applicants must have a valid work authorization that does not now, or in the future, require visa

sponsorship for employment in the United States (e.g., H-1B, F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, TN).

In-Office Collaboration

We are a client-centric, relationship-based business. Working together, in-person, is

foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face-to-face collaboration,

idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for our stakeholders —

clients, advisors, employees and shareholders. Our employees work in the office at least

four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles

may require additional in-office time or different in-office expectations, and specific

requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.

Base Pay Salary

The base salary is 81,700.00 - 122,500.00 USD Annual and maybe vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location. In addition, most of our roles are eligible for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long-term incentives depending on the role. We also have a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being, including but not limited to vacation time, sick time, 401(k), and health, dental and life insurances.Full timeExemptClient ServiceCLEAR Clearing

Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, disability status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.

Who We Are

Since 1894, Ameriprise Financial has helped people feel more confident about their financial future. Guided by strong values and a deep commitment to clients, we've remained a trusted leader in financial planning and advice for more than 130 years.

Through our businesses, Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance & Annuities, we deliver advice, investment and protection solutions designed for long-term success. While each business brings distinct capabilities and expertise, all are united by our unwavering focus on clients and a strong financial foundation.

For you, that means the opportunity to build a meaningful career in a high-performing, collaborative culture where your expertise can grow, your contributions are valued and your work can make a real impact.

Our Business and our Brands

As a global financial services company with three complementary businesses, the breadth of our capabilities sets us apart. It also creates unique opportunities for employees to learn, collaborate and grow their careers:

• Ameriprise Financial: Financial planning, advice and wealth management.

• Columbia Threadneedle Investments: Global asset management serving individual, institutional and corporate clients.

• RiverSource Insurance & Annuities: Products and solutions designed to help clients protect and grow their wealth.

Explore opportunities within each business and region below.

• Ameriprise US | Careers

• Ameriprise India | Careers

• Columbia Threadneedle Investments US | Careers

• Columbia Threadneedle Investments EMEA APAC | Careers

• RiverSource | Careers

Common Questions

Can I check the status of my application?

Yes, you can check the status of your submitted application. To do so, you will need to log into the Candidate Homepage with your username and password.

What information is required to apply for a job?

Requirements vary by position, state and/or region. Be prepared to provide work history, resume, and contact information at a minimum.