Head of Investment Products, Miami, FL

Santander•Boston, MA

About The Position

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry and is evolving from a high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization. Our people are at the heart of this journey and together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference. If you are interested in exploring the possibilities We Want to Talk to You! The Difference You Make: The Head of Investment Products is a senior executive responsible for leading the investment vision, philosophy, and strategy for the wealth management business. This role oversees asset allocation, investment research, portfolio construction, product due diligence, and advisor enablement. They are responsible for overseeing the design, development, governance, and lifecycle management of the firm’s wealth management product platform. This includes investment products (e.g., mutual funds, ETFs, SMAs, alternatives), advisory programs (e.g., model portfolios, UMAs), and planning solutions (e.g., insurance, annuities, structured products). The CIO ensures that investment decisions align with client goals, firm risk standards, and fiduciary responsibilities, while delivering thought leadership and supporting scalable, customized client solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field; MBA, CFA, or equivalent advanced degree/certification preferred.
12+ years of experience in investment strategy, portfolio management, or wealth management leadership.
Proven ability to lead an investment platform or CIO function at a large wealth management firm, private bank, or RIA.
Strong understanding of capital markets, investment solutions across asset classes, and high-net-worth client needs.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; public speaking experience is a plus.
Deep understanding of behavioral finance, client segmentation, and financial planning integration.
Proficiency with investment analytics platforms (e.g., Morningstar Direct, Bloomberg, FactSet).
Experience supporting advisor-led and/or discretionary portfolio management models.
Certifications: FINRA Series 7 and Series 24 licenses. Series 65 or 66 preferred.

Nice To Haves

Established work history or equivalent demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training, military service, or education.
Experience in Microsoft Office products.

Responsibilities

Investment Strategy & Asset Allocation: Define and communicate the firm’s long-term investment philosophy and strategic/tactical asset allocation frameworks. Develop capital market assumptions, investment outlooks, and risk-return models. Lead portfolio construction guidelines for different client risk profiles and investment objectives. Oversee the development of model portfolios, unified managed accounts (UMAs), and customized portfolio solutions. Define and execute the firm’s product strategy to support business growth and advisor/client needs. Identify product gaps and opportunities based on market trends, client demand, and competitive analysis. Lead the development and launch of new investment and advisory products and solutions. Continuously assess and refine the existing product platform to improve quality, efficiency, and profitability.
Research & Thought Leadership: Direct macroeconomic and market research to inform investment strategy. Publish regular investment commentary, white papers, and market outlooks for clients and advisors. Serve as a public spokesperson on investment issues via media appearances, panels, or client events. Identify emerging trends across traditional and alternative asset classes.
Investment Product Oversight: Supervise due diligence on third-party investment products (ETFs, mutual funds, SMAs, private equity, alternatives, etc.). Serve on the COI/FIDO committee. Maintain an approved investment product platform aligned with performance, cost, and suitability standards. Ensure rigorous qualitative and quantitative evaluation of managers and strategies.
Market & Competitive Intelligence: Monitor industry trends, competitor product offerings, regulatory changes, and client behavior. Use data analytics and feedback loops to guide product enhancements and innovation. Evaluate third-party product providers and strategic partnerships.
Risk Governance & Compliance: Ensure investment strategies comply with applicable regulations and firm policies. Coordinate with legal, compliance, and risk teams to manage investment-related risks. Establish controls and governance over investment process, product shelf, and platform architecture. Manage internal and external audit processes for investment activities.