We are hiring a Operations Manager to join Oculus Wealth Management (OWM) in Harrogate. This is a central role supporting advisers across the network, combining operational oversight with strong technical knowledge of financial planning, systems and investments.
You will act as a key partner to advisers, helping them resolve issues, improve how they operate, and deliver consistent client outcomes.
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Act as the central point of contact for advisers and internal teams across operational, technical and advice-related queries
- Take ownership of issues, diagnose root causes and deliver practical solutions quickly
- Build trusted relationships with advisers, supporting all aspects of their business
- Operate as a triage function, responding to urgent queries and minimising disruption
- Provide technical guidance across financial planning systems, CRM platforms and Microsoft tools
- Troubleshoot system issues and work with IT teams to resolve them efficiently
- Support advisers and paraplanners on case strategy, structure and technical queries
- Own and develop management information (MI), including complex Excel-based reporting
- Manage and prioritise escalations across teams to drive timely outcomes
- Support adviser onboarding, including business model design, platform selection and charging structures
Essential
- Experience within an IFA or independent financial advice environment
- Level 4 Diploma qualified
- Strong understanding of the end-to-end advice process
- Background in paraplanning, technical or advisory support
- Strong understanding of investment products and portfolio construction
- Experience using financial planning tools such as Voyant, FE Analytics or Cashcalc
- Experience with CRM systems such as Intelliflo, Iress or Enable/IQ
- Advanced Excel capability, including building and managing reporting tools
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Desirable
- Chartered status or working towards
- Experience working with advisers/authorised representatives in an independent network
- Experience across platforms and adviser business models
- Understanding of how advisers structure and scale their businesses
- Exposure to investment research and centralised propositions
You will be based at our Harrogate office, working closely with advisers across the OWM network. The role requires regular interaction with stakeholders across the wider business, supporting a national adviser base while remaining part of a collaborative local team.
Benchmark is one of the UK’s leading financial planning businesses, aiming to help our clients realise aspirations and achieve peace of mind. We do this through our unique business model which provides support to over 1000 financial planners across our employed, self-employed and independent models. Our solutions are award-winning, enabled by proprietary technology covering regulatory, platform and investment services, all of which are designed to support advisers at every stage of their journey – from starting their career, improving how they run productively and effectively, to accelerating growth and ultimately thinking about succession planning.
We are growing rapidly, with more than 50 acquisitions in recent years and have multiple offices across the UK.
Delivering good client outcomes is at the heart of everything we do. Our duty of care, including support for vulnerable customers, is embedded into our culture and decision‑making.
As part of the Schroders Group, the UK’s largest listed asset manager with over £750bn of assets, Benchmark benefits from a focussed business model with clear accountability with the scale of a global services organisation.
We're looking for the best, whoever they are
We know that diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture where all can succeed lead to better decisions and stronger outcomes for the company its clients and its employees. That’s why inclusion and diversity are strategic priorities for us. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer. You’re welcome at Benchmark regardless of your age, disability, gender identity or expression, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background. We’re building a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.
