Chief Operating Officer

American Century Investments • Kansas City, MO

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

American Century Investments® is a leading global asset manager with over 65 years of experience helping a broad base of clients achieve their financial goals. Our expertise spans global equities and fixed income, multi-asset strategies, ETFs, and private investments. Privately owned and independent, we focus solely on investment management. But there’s an unexpected side to us, too. We direct 40% of our dividends every year—over $2 billion since 2000—to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Our ongoing financial support drives the Institute’s breakthrough work and mission of defeating life-threatening diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. So, the better we do for our clients, the more we can do for everyone. All who work here around the globe are inspired every day by the unique difference our hard work can make in so many lives. It shows in the curiosity we bring to every initiative, the deep relationships we build with our clients, and the way we treat each other in the hallway. If you’re excited to learn more about us, we can’t wait to learn more about you.

Role Summary
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will serve as a core member of the executive leadership team, responsible for driving operational excellence, enterprise scalability, and commercial execution across the organization. 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.
We are seeking a COO who brings deep leadership capability, an enterprise mindset, and a long-term commitment (7+ years) to this role.
The COO works with the CEO, CIO, and executive team to turn strategic goals into effective operating models. The role focuses 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~$350B.
This role reports to the CEO and will serve as a member of the Management Committee.
This hybrid position will be based out of our 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 and 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