Lead Service Operations Specialist

Ameriprise • Minneapolis, MN

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Lead Service Operations Specialist, you will serve as a business analyst and process optimization leader for Brokerage Operations. You will identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, document business requirements, support technology modernization initiatives, analyze operational processes, and drive continuous improvement. You will work with Operations, Technology, Risk, Compliance, and other business stakeholders to streamline processes, reduce manual effort, strengthen controls, and improve the client and advisor experience. The role can be based in the Minneapolis, Charlotte, or Las Vegas office. Employees work in the office at least four days per week, with flexibility to work from home one day per week; some roles may have different in-office expectations.

The role supports process improvement and operational and technology initiatives from analysis and requirements gathering through testing, implementation, and adoption. It also analyzes operational metrics, develops reporting and dashboards, monitors performance and risk indicators, and presents findings and recommendations to leadership.

Requirements

• Associate degree or equivalent experience.
• 5 to 7 years of experience in operations, business analysis, process improvement, or related disciplines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience documenting business requirements and process workflows.
• Ability to communicate effectively with business and technology stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Applicants must have valid U.S. work authorization that does not now or in the future require visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Active FINRA licenses, such as Series 99 or Series 7, or interest in obtaining them.
• Experience in Brokerage, Clearing, Custody, Trust, or Financial Services Operations.
• Experience supporting operational modernization or transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of Agile delivery methodologies.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or continuous improvement experience.
• Experience with user acceptance testing (UAT) and business system implementations.
• Familiarity with operational risk management and control environments.

Responsibilities

• Analyze operational workflows to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, control gaps, and automation opportunities.
• Facilitate process mapping, root cause analysis, value stream reviews, and workflow redesign activities.
• Recommend improvements to scalability, quality, productivity, risk management, and service outcomes.
• Support Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives, and measure and report their results.
• Gather, document, and prioritize business requirements for operational enhancements and modernization initiatives.
• Create business requirements, user stories, process flows, decision trees, and operational procedures.
• Partner with technology teams through solution design, development, testing, and implementation.
• Ensure business requirements align with regulatory, operational, and customer experience objectives.
• Support change impact assessments and implementation planning.
• Analyze operational metrics, volumes, trends, and performance indicators.
• Develop reporting and dashboards that provide actionable operational insights.
• Monitor key performance and risk indicators to identify emerging opportunities or issues.
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership.
• Support operational and technology projects from inception through implementation.
• Coordinate testing activities, including creating test scenarios and supporting test execution.
• Assist with training, communication, and adoption activities for new processes and systems.
• Track project actions, decisions, risks, and dependencies.

Benefits

• Vacation time
• Sick time
• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Variable pay may be available in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long-term incentives depending on the role.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree