Operations Specialist

Job Description Summary:

The Operations Specialist provides day-to-day operational support for custodian relationships across all regions, serving as a key point of contact between the firm, custodians, advisors, clients, and internal teams. This role supports custodian projects, platform access, reporting, communications, account servicing, alerts, and M&A integrations while ensuring work is accurate, timely, and well documented. The Operations Specialist works closely with the Client Service Department and cross-functional partners to resolve issues, improve processes, and deliver a consistent, high-quality service experience. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, initiative, problem-solving skills, adaptability, and consistent follow-through.

Job Description:

Primary Responsibilities

• Support and coordinate custodian-related projects, including conversions, platform changes, process enhancements, and M&A integrations, while tracking milestones, deliverables, risks, and outstanding items.
• Administer custodian platform access for advisors, employees, and other authorized users, including new, modified, and terminated access, while following applicable security and entitlement requirements.
• Serve as a liaison among custodians, advisors, clients, and internal teams to research, resolve, and escalate custodial and operational issues.
• Process custodian-related requests, including money movement, account maintenance, new accounts, DocuSign routing, case creation, account transfers, and re-papering.
• Produce, distribute, reconcile, and validate scheduled and on-demand custodian reports, identifying discrepancies and opportunities to improve reporting processes.
• Prepare and distribute custodian communications, service notices, account status updates, and other information to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Monitor and triage custodian alerts, outages, deadlines, and policy or system changes; assess operational impact and track issues through resolution.
• Maintain accurate custodian contacts, procedures, issue logs, integration documentation, and other operational resources across regions.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and operational efficiency while proactively addressing issues and collaborating across the Client Service Department and other teams.
• Participate in team meetings, training, professional development, special projects, and other departmental initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in operations, client service, administrative support, or a related role.
• Experience in financial services, wealth management, or another professional services environment is preferred.
• Familiarity with financial custodians such as Fidelity, Schwab, or Pershing and their platforms and service channels is preferred.
• Experience with custodian platform access administration, entitlements, M&A integrations, conversions, or account transitions is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, organization, time management, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a client-service mindset and collaborative approach.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word; experience with Excel functions such as lookups and pivot tables is preferred.
• Experience working with databases, CRM and workflow systems, and digital documentation tools such as Salesforce, Tamarac, and DocuSign is preferred.
• Ability to coordinate projects, track tasks and dependencies, troubleshoot issues, and proactively identify appropriate solutions.
• Sound judgment, integrity, and discretion when handling sensitive client and firm information.
• Ability to work effectively across regions, time zones, and multiple stakeholder groups and adapt to changing priorities.
• Willingness to learn, take initiative, pursue professional development, and provide occasional overtime support during periods of increased volume, market volatility, M&A activity, or team coverage needs.

This position is a non-exempt position. The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $55,000 - $60,000 base salary compensation range. Actual base pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant’s skill set. The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package. Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus and a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k). Please note that the job title is subject to change based on the selected candidate’s experience and education.

Focus Partners is an organization of wealth, asset, and business management resources that brings strength, innovation, and partnership to client relationships. Through a comprehensive range of services, Focus Partners supports clients at every stage of life, helping them manage their financial future. Focus Partners uses research-backed investment strategies to create custom-built portfolios and delivers personalized wealth planning solutions to clients in all 50 states. Focus Partners is part of Focus, a leading financial services firm comprised of wealth management, family office, and business management services. To learn more about Focus, visit focuspartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

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Focus is a leading financial services firm comprised of integrated wealth management, family office, and business management services. Blending deep expertise and expansive resources with a boutique, client-first fiduciary philosophy, Focus helps individuals, families, and institutions navigate complex financial situations with highly personalized solutions tailored to their unique needs. To learn more about Focus, visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

EEO Statement: Focus is an equal opportunity employer and bases its employment decisions on the employee or candidate’s skillset, and without regard to an employee or candidate’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state and/or federal law.

Focus complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@focuspartners.com

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For Maryland Applicants: I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A POLYGRAPH OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100.

For Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901.

For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation. The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.