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Investment Operations Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Integritymarketing

Investment Trader

Urbandale, IA

Research market trends, current investment conditions and governing regulations. Maintain daily ... Process post-execution recon and handle the operation/administrative duties associated with trades ...

First Community Trust

Investment Associate

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

About the Role We are seeking a full-time Investment Associate to support portfolio management, trading, and investment research across client accounts. This role is critical in delivering sound ...

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Investment Operations information

See Iowa salary details

$10

$24

$50

How much do investment operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for investment operations in Iowa is $24.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.73 and $28.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Investment Operations, and why are they important?

To thrive in Investment Operations, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a background in finance or accounting, often supported by a bachelor's degree. Familiarity with portfolio management systems, trade settlement platforms, and industry regulations, as well as certifications like CFA or CIPM, is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving abilities, organizational skills, and effective communication set top performers apart in this field. These competencies are essential for ensuring accurate transaction processing, regulatory compliance, and seamless support of investment activities.

What are Investment Operations?

Investment Operations refer to the behind-the-scenes processes and systems that support the buying, selling, and management of investment assets in financial institutions. This includes trade settlement, reconciliation, portfolio accounting, reporting, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Investment Operations professionals ensure that transactions are processed accurately and efficiently, helping firms to minimize risks and meet client expectations. Their work is critical for the smooth functioning of asset management, hedge funds, pension funds, and investment banks.

What jobs make $3,000 a day?

High-level investment professionals such as hedge fund managers, private equity partners, and senior traders can earn $3,000 or more per day through large bonuses, profit sharing, or substantial salaries. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong analytical skills, often working in fast-paced financial environments with significant risk and responsibility.

How much does an investment operations specialist make?

An investment operations specialist typically earns between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the firm. Entry-level roles may start around $50,000, while experienced professionals with certifications like CFA can earn higher salaries. The role often requires proficiency with financial systems and attention to detail.

What are some common challenges faced in Investment Operations, and how can professionals effectively address them?

Investment Operations professionals often encounter challenges such as managing high transaction volumes, ensuring data accuracy, and adapting to frequent regulatory changes. To address these, strong attention to detail, robust internal controls, and staying current with industry regulations are crucial. Collaboration with portfolio managers, compliance teams, and IT staff also helps streamline processes and resolve issues efficiently. Developing proficiency with investment management systems and a proactive approach to problem-solving can further enhance effectiveness in this role.

What jobs make $1,000,000 a year?

In investment operations, high-level roles such as Chief Investment Officer or senior portfolio managers at large firms can earn $1,000,000 or more annually through base salary, bonuses, and profit sharing. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced certifications like CFA, and a strong track record in managing significant assets. Compensation varies widely based on firm size, performance, and geographic location.

What is the difference between Investment Operations vs Fund Accountant?

AspectInvestment OperationsFund Accountant
Primary ResponsibilitiesOversees trade processing, settlement, data management, and compliance across investment portfolios.Manages fund accounting, NAV calculations, and financial reporting for investment funds.
Required Skills & CertificationsKnowledge of investment processes, Excel, and industry regulations; certifications like CFA or CPA are common.Strong accounting skills, familiarity with fund accounting software; CPA or equivalent often preferred.
Work EnvironmentTypically in asset management firms, hedge funds, or banks, focusing on operational efficiency.Primarily in fund management companies, focusing on accurate financial reporting.

While both roles support investment firms, Investment Operations has a broader scope covering trade processing and compliance, whereas Fund Accountants focus specifically on fund financials and NAV calculations. Both roles often require similar certifications and work in related environments, but their core functions differ in scope and daily tasks.

What is the role of investment operations?

Investment operations involve managing the processing, settlement, and reconciliation of investment transactions to ensure accurate and efficient handling of assets. Professionals in this role support portfolio management by maintaining data integrity, overseeing compliance, and utilizing tools like trading platforms and reporting systems. Attention to detail and knowledge of financial regulations are essential for success in this field.
What are popular job titles related to Investment Operations jobs in Iowa? For Investment Operations jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Investment Operations jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Investment Operations jobs in Iowa are:
Investment Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Investment Operations job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,273 per year, or $24.7 per hour.

Investment Operations Lead

Northwestern Mutual-Twin Cities

Clive, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Salary:

Investment Operations Lead


McGill Junge Wealth Management, a rapidly growing comprehensive wealth management team located in Central Iowa, is looking to hire a Investment Operations Lead to its wealth management team. This individual will play a key role in ensuring accurate trade execution, portfolio maintenance, investment audits, alternatives administration, and efficient investment workflows that support excellent client outcomes.

Role Profile:

The Investment Operations Lead role is responsible for the coordinating daytoday operational priorities, maintaining execution quality standards, enforcing workflow discipline, and escalating issues appropriately to Investment Leadership. This role serves as the primary operational point of coordination within Investment Operations and plays a key role in ensuring execution accuracy, efficiency, and consistency across all investment processes.

This role owns core execution responsibilities across trading, portfolio management, account administration, alternatives processing, and investment workflows, with an emphasis on precision, compliance, efficiency, and scalability.

Operational Coordination & Prioritization

  • Coordinate daily and weekly operational workload across investment operations activities
  • Prioritize tasks based on investment timelines, client needs, and risk considerations
  • Communicate capacity constraints, sequencing considerations, and dependencies to Investment Strategy and Investment Leadership
  • Ensure highpriority and timesensitive tasks are executed accurately and on schedule

Trading Execution & Compliance

  • Own accurate and timely execution of all trades across client portfolios
  • Execute trades in alignment with firm standards, model recommendations, client objectives, and regulatory requirements
  • Ensure adherence to compliance controls, trading restrictions, and internal policies
  • Review portfolio activity for accuracy and completeness and identify potential execution risks or exceptions for escalation

Issue Identification & Escalation

  • Identify execution errors, exceptions, or process breakdowns and take appropriate corrective action
  • Escalate material issues, risks, or capacity constraints to Investment Strategy or Investment Leadership in a timely manner
  • Document recurring issues and partner with leadership to prevent future occurrences
  • Exercise sound judgment in determining when issues require leadership awareness versus operational resolution


Daily Portfolio Management & Cash Positioning

  • Own daily portfolio management activities, including cash positioning and liquidity management
  • Monitor accounts to ensure sufficient cash for planned trades, distributions, and fees
  • Perform routine portfolio adjustments and operational maintenance to support strategy alignment and client service quality
  • Perform cashiering functions and process cash withdrawals
  • Partner with Investment Strategy and Advisors to maintain accurate portfolio implementation

Alternatives Administration & Compliance

  • Own the processing, administration, and tracking of alternative investment paperwork and documentation
  • Ensure alternatives investments are processed accurately and in compliance with firm policies and regulatory requirements
  • Coordinate with Advisors, custodians, and clients to ensure a seamless alternatives investment experience
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation for all alternative investment activity

Account Administration

  • Reviews and monitors progress on paperwork for investment/advisory accounts alongside planning team associates/advisors
  • Monitor, process, and follow up on asset transfers and initial and subsequent funding of advisory accounts
  • Process proposal amendments, monitor alerts, and complete annual reviews in Envestnet

Workflow Design, Optimization & Process Documentation

  • Own and enforce the consistent execution of investment operations workflows including creation, documentation, and continuous refinement of investment operations processes
  • Promote workflow discipline and consistency across all investment operations activities
  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, clarity, compliance, and scalability across investment processes
  • Maintain current and accessible process documentation to support training, continuity, and operational excellence
  • Partner with Investment Leadership to implement process improvements and best practices

Technology & System Management

  • Ensure investment technology platforms and are accurate, optimized, and effectively integrated
  • Monitor data integrity and system outputs to support trading, reporting, and portfolio management accuracy
  • Identify, escalate, and assist in resolving system issues, inefficiencies, or enhancement opportunities
  • Drive testing and implementation of platform updates or new tools as needed

Presentation & Advisor Support

  • Prepare investmentrelated data, reports, and documentation for advisory review meetings as needed
  • Support Advisors and Investment Strategy with portfolio, performance, and operational reporting as needed

Qualifications:

  • 3-5+ yrs experience in Financial Services or Investment Operations
  • Bachelors degree with major in finance, economics, accounting, financial planning or related field required
  • FINRA Series 6 or 7 and series 63 license (required or obtainable within 6 months on the job).
  • Iowa Life and Health Insurance License (preferred or obtainable within 6 months on the job).
  • Progress toward professional designation a plus but not required:
    • CFA, CAIA, CFP, CPWA, CPA, JD, MBA, or CIMA
  • Completion of Northwestern Mutual Signature advisory training.
  • Experience with Envestnet and custodial investment platforms strongly preferred
  • Proven experience executing and reviewing trades, cash movements, portfolio maintenance, and account administration with a high degree of accuracy
  • Demonstrated ability to take ownership, exercise sound judgment, and provide operational leadership without formal authority
  • Strong judgment in identifying execution issues, determining appropriate resolution paths, and escalating material risks or exceptions

Key Characteristics:

  • High integrity and strong attention to detail
  • Processoriented with disciplined execution mindset
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational and prioritization skills
  • Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fastpaced environment
  • Commitment to accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • Maintains confidentiality and professionalism at all