Program Manager, Aladdin Transformation - Cutover Lead

The Aladdin Cutover Lead is responsible for defining, planning, coordinating, and executing the transition of business and operational processes into the Aladdin production environment. The role will establish the cutover strategy, define what is and is not included within the cutover scope, document all required activities, and coordinate execution across business, operations, technology, and vendor teams. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of Aladdin architecture and its operational dependencies, together with prior experience supporting or leading an Aladdin go-live.

Key Responsibilities
Cutover Strategy & Planning

• Define the overall cutover approach and execution strategy.
• Establish and document the scope of the cutover, including activities that are in scope and out of scope.
• Define the sequence of activities required to transition from the current operating model to Aladdin.
• Identify and document dependencies across operational, technology, data, and vendor workstreams.
• Develop and maintain the cutover runbook, including activities, ownership, sequencing, and timing.
• Coordinate cutover rehearsals and incorporate outcomes into the execution plan.
• Maintain cutover issue, decision, and dependency logs.
• Ensure all cutover activities have clearly defined owners and completion criteria.

Requirements & Operational Coordination

• Engage with operational teams including:
  • Cash Operations
  • Trade Operations
  • Derivatives Operations
  • Reconciliations
  • Corporate Actions
  • Fund Accounting
  • Portfolio Services
• Gather operational requirements necessary to support cutover activities.
• Coordinate input from operational, technology, and vendor teams.
• Ensure operational dependencies are identified and tracked through to completion.
• Facilitate workshops and working sessions to support cutover planning.
• Ensure operational procedures and controls required during cutover are documented and understood by participating teams.

Go-Live Execution

• Coordinate execution of the cutover runbook during the production deployment window.
• Act as the central coordination point across business, operations, technology, and vendor teams during cutover execution.
• Track progress against the planned schedule and manage deviations from plan.
• Coordinate issue triage and escalation throughout the cutover window.
• Manage and maintain visibility of open actions, issues, decisions, and dependencies.
• Coordinate production validation and reconciliation activities with relevant operational teams.
• Ensure cutover activities are completed and signed off by the designated activity owners.

Decision & Dependency Management

• Identify decisions required to progress cutover planning and execution.
• Bring decisions forward in a structured and timely manner.
• Present options, impacts, assumptions, and dependencies to programme leadership.
• Escalate risks, issues, and blockers where required.
• Ensure decisions, actions, and outcomes are documented and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Required Experience

• Previous experience leading or supporting an Aladdin go-live.
• Strong understanding of Aladdin architecture and core platform workflows.
• Experience developing and managing cutover plans and runbooks.
• Experience coordinating across multiple operational teams within an investment management environment.
• Experience working with Cash Operations, Trade Operations, and Derivatives Operations functions.
• Experience managing risks, issues, dependencies, and decision logs during large-scale implementations.
• Experience coordinating activities across business, operations, technology, and third-party vendors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience with Aladdin migrations, implementation programmes, or operating model transformations.
• Experience within asset management, asset servicing, or investment operations environments.
• Knowledge of front-to-back investment management processes and associated operational controls.

Key Skills

• Aladdin Architecture Knowledge
• Cutover Strategy and Planning
• Runbook Development
• Operational Requirements Gathering
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Dependency Management
• Issue and Risk Management
• Workshop Facilitation
• Production Deployment Coordination
• Documentation and Activity Tracking

Success Measures

• Cutover scope is clearly defined and agreed.
• All cutover activities are documented, assigned, and sequenced.
• Dependencies, risks, and decisions are identified and managed throughout the cutover lifecycle.
• Operational, technology, and vendor teams are coordinated effectively throughout planning and execution.
• The production cutover is executed in accordance with the agreed cutover plan and runbook.