Chief Operating Officer

American Century Investments • Kansas City, MO

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

American Century Investments is a global asset manager with over 65 years of experience. The company directs 40% of its dividends to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, supporting medical breakthroughs. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be a core member of the executive leadership team, responsible for driving operational excellence, enterprise scalability, and commercial execution. The COO will oversee the firm’s broader business management, back office, administrative operations, and business analysis functions, ensuring seamless coordination between strategy, execution, and growth. This role requires deep leadership capability, an enterprise mindset, and a long-term commitment (7+ years). The COO will work with the CEO, CIO, and executive team to translate strategic goals into effective operating models, focusing on boosting productivity through process improvement, AI transformation, smarter decision making, and delivering top-tier client and employee experiences across a global asset management platform managing approximately $350 billion. This role reports to the CEO and will serve as a member of the Management Committee. This is a hybrid position based out of the Kansas City office.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive operational leadership experience within asset management, investment management, wealth management, or financial services
• Demonstrated success leading operations, business management, or enterprise-wide initiatives in a complex organization
• Strong understanding of asset management operations, governance, risk management, and regulatory environments
• Experience leading large-scale change, business transformation, or growth initiatives, including AI-enabled transformation
• High degree of integrity, business judgment, and ability to influence across all levels of an organization
• Exceptional leadership, influencing, communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrates the American Century Investments Winning Behaviors: Client Focused, Courageous and Accountable, Collaborative, Curious and Adaptable, Competitively Driven
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting multi-asset, global investment platforms
• Direct involvement in enterprise-wide AI, data, or digital transformation programs
• MBA or advanced degree
• Experience partnering with technology leadership, data architecture, and AI-driven reporting solutions
• Exposure to M&A, strategic investments, or business integrations within asset or wealth management
• Strong executive presence and Board-level communication skills
• Global mindset, with experience operating across multiple geographies and regulatory regimes

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s day-to-day global operating platform, including broader business management, back office, facilities, administrative operations, and business analysis functions.
• Serve as the enterprise integrator, aligning investments, products, distribution, and operations to support growth, scale, and client outcomes.
• Drive enterprise AI and data transformation, including automation of operating processes, AI-enabled analytics, personalization, and real-time performance management.
• Modernize operating and technology infrastructure, partnering with technology leadership to implement scalable, cloud-based, and AI-driven platforms across functions.
• Oversee back office and administrative functions, ensuring efficiency, resiliency, strong controls, and effective vendor and service provider management.
• Translate strategy into execution, establishing operating metrics, KPIs, and governance to ensure accountability and delivery against firm objectives.
• Support strategic initiatives, including M&A, partnerships, and new business launches, with responsibility for operational due diligence, integration, and execution.
• Build and lead a high-performing leadership team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across functions.
• Function as a key interface with internal and external stakeholders, including the Board, regulators, and strategic partners, on operation and business performance.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with bonus plan
• Generous PTO
• Competitive benefits
• 401k with 5% company match plus annual performance-based discretionary contribution
• Tuition reimbursement
• Formal mentorship program
• Live and online learning

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive