What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President, Head of Product Operations position at ProShares?
About Us:
ProShares now offers one of the largest lineups of ETFs, with more than $70 billion in assets. The company is the leader in strategies such as dividend growth, interest rate hedged bond and geared (leveraged and inverse) ETF investing. ProShares continues to innovate with products that provide strategic and tactical opportunities for investors to manage risk and enhance returns.
Position Summary:
The Head of Product Operations is responsible for overseeing and executing mission-critical episodic and recurring operational processes that support the day-to-day management of the ProShares family of ETFs and mutual funds. This role requires coordination across various departments to ensure seamless execution of operational activities, directly supporting Product Management, while working closely with other areas including Legal, Capital Markets, and Marketing Operations. The Head of Product Operations will oversee, maintain, and improve key processes, manage projects, and drive important company initiatives. A successful candidate will need to combine the ability to coordinate multiple departments toward a common objective with the ability to roll up their sleeves at critical moments to dive in and execute as an individual, as necessary.
Job Functions [1]:
An effective Head of Product Operations will oversee and ensure the successful execution of several critical product-related operational activities, including:
- Develop, document, and enhance best practice processes and procedures supporting product operations.
- Lead regular processes to review prospectus changes (e.g., index descriptions, expense rations) and ensure these are propagated to all required materials (e.g., website, marketing collateral).
- Coordinate significant episodic product changes, such as share splits and benchmark adjustments.
- Provide operational support for product launches, including project management and coordination with various stakeholders.
- Manage fund board-driven product activities, including calendar management and preparation for board meetings.
- Execute operational aspects of fund liquidations, collaborating closely with product management.
- Project manages all the above processes, including tasks without a designated owner.
- Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes to anticipate potential impacts on product operations.
- Serve as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding operational inquiries and issues.
- Conduct regular reviews and assessments of operational performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.
- Represent the Product Operations function in meetings, presentations, and discussions with senior management and other key stakeholders.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., PMP, CFA) preferred.
- Minimum of 6 years of experience in product operations, asset management, or related fields.
- Mutual fund, exchange traded funds, or securities background preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- In-depth understanding of the 40-Act fund management ecosystem with the ability to anticipate future business needs.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven recommendations.
- Proven track record of successfully managing complex projects and initiatives from inception to completion.
- High level of adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry best practices related to fund management operations.
- Proficiency in project and process management with a focus on detail-oriented tasks and meeting deadlines.
- Willingness to engage in hands-on tasks to ensure completion, even when outside designated responsibilities.
- Client-oriented mindset with the ability to anticipate and meet business partner needs.
- Excellent executive communication skills, including simplifying complex processes into actionable plans.
[1] These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work involved for this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of this job. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
