Director, Operations & Settlement Management, Aon Securities

Aon Corporation•New York, NY

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Operations & Settlement Management is responsible for overseeing all operational, settlement, and post-trade activities associated with the firm's fixed income capital markets and private placement business. The role will lead the end-to-end settlement process for over 50 Rule 144A and Section 4(a)(2) bond offerings, coordinate with Aon Securities’ custodian, issuers, investors, legal counsel, trustees, paying agents, DTC and Euroclear, and ensure accurate execution of transactions through closing. The chosen applicant will possess deep expertise in debt capital markets operations, primary market bond issuance, securities settlement, cash movement, and operational risk management. The individual will serve as the primary operational lead on transaction execution and investor settlement activities while maintaining robust controls, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

Minimum 10 years of experience within broker-dealer operations, fixed income and/or equity capital markets operations, investment banking operations, or securities settlement.
Direct experience supporting Rule 144A and Section 4(a)(2) offerings.
Demonstrated expertise with DTC and Euroclear settlement processes.
Experience leading primary issuance and institutional distribution operations.
Prior supervisory or team leadership experience.
Strong understanding of: U.S. Debt Capital Markets, Corporate Bonds, Private Placements, Structured Finance Transactions, Rule 144A Offerings, Section 4(a)(2) Transactions, DTC Settlement Processes, Euroclear Settlement Processes, CUSIP and ISIN Administration, Paying Agent and Trustee Functions, Securities Funding and Cash Settlement, Trade Support and Post-Trade Operations, Broker-Dealer Regulatory Requirements.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in finance, Economics, Accounting, Business, or related field.
Exceptional transaction management skills.
Strong understanding of securities operations and settlement mechanics.
Ability to run multiple live transactions simultaneously.
High attention to detail and operational rigor.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Demonstrated ability to lead under tight deadlines and fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

Lead operational execution for Rule 144A and Section 4(a)(2) debt fixed income offerings from mandate through closing.
Work closely with Aon Treasury and Aon Securities Distribution colleagues and other internal team members, and coordinate all settlement activities including: Depository Trust Company (DTC), Euroclear, Paying Agents, Trustees, Legal Counsel, Issuers, and trade execution with the firm’s investors.
Manage securities eligibility, CUSIP/ISIN setup, DTC activation, and Euroclear admission processes.
Review and validate closing documentation, settlement instructions, funding flows, and allocation details.
Oversee cash and securities settlement on closing dates.
Resolve settlement exceptions and operational discrepancies.
Monitor transaction timelines and ensure all critical achievements are reached prior to closing.
Lead investor onboarding and settlement readiness processes.
Ensure accurate recordkeeping of commitments, allocations, and settlement instructions.
Serve as primary operational contact for institutional investors during transaction execution.
Build and maintain robust operational controls surrounding transaction processing and settlement.
Design procedures to mitigate settlement, funding, documentation, and counterparty risks.
Ensure segregation of duties and adherence to internal control standards.
Identify improvements in execution and automation opportunities to improve scalability.
Maintain operational incident management and resolution framework.
Ensure operational compliance with applicable SEC, FINRA, MSRB, and broker-dealer requirements.
Maintain accurate books and records relating to securities transactions and settlement activity.
Partner with the firm’s Compliance and Legal teams on regulatory examinations and audits.
Support annual operational and compliance reviews.
Lead operational relationships with: DTC, Euroclear, Trustees, Transfer Agents, Investors, Paying Agents, Custodians, Banking Partners.
Evaluate and implement technology solutions to improve transaction processing efficiency.
Lead integration and enhancement of settlement and transaction management platforms.
Build and lead a high-performing operations function.
Mentor and develop operations personnel.
Establish departmental KPIs and service standards.
Champion a culture of accountability, control, and client service excellence.

Benefits

a 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions
an employee stock purchase plan
consideration for long-term incentive awards at Aon’s discretion
medical, dental and vision insurance
paid time off at the discretion of the employee and management in accordance with company policy and practices
Various other types of leaves of absence
paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws
short-term disability and optional long-term disability
health savings account
health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts
employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance
optional personal insurance policies
adoption assistance
tuition assistance
commuter benefits
an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions
two “Global Wellbeing Days” each year