Chief Operating Officer, Asset Management

The India COO will be responsible for building and running the complete operating platform for HSBC Asset Management India businesses including the domestic Mutual Fund, PMS/AIF platforms, Advisory entity and the GIFT City fund management entity. The role ensures operational integrity, regulatory compliance across SEBI and IFSCA, scalable infrastructure, and alignment with global governance and risk frameworks.

The COO will be a core member of the India leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO, CIO, Compliance, Risk, and global functional heads.

Principal Responsibilities

• End-to-End Operating Model Leadership
  • Build, manage and enhance operational frameworks for:
    • Mutual Fund (front–mid–back office operations, investor servicing)
    • PMS and AIF managing onshore/offshore mandates
    • GIFT City Fund/Portfolio Management/Advisory operations including cross-border flows
  • Drive global-to-local operational integration, ensuring India platforms adhere to global standards while complying with local regulations.
• Regulatory & Governance – SEBI, IFSCA & Cross-Border
  • Ensure full compliance with SEBI Mutual Fund, PMS, AIF, and IFSC Fund Management Entity regulations.
  • Act as key point of contact for SEBI, AMFI, IFSCA, trustees, auditors, and Board committees.
  • Oversee regulatory filings, product approvals, governance frameworks, inspections, and Board reporting.
  • Ensure appropriate documentation, disclosures, investor communication, and compliance monitoring.
• Operations & Investment Support
  • Oversee trade lifecycle management, settlements, reconciliations, NAV oversight, corporate actions, and portfolio compliance for all platforms.
  • Manage coordination with global trading desks, portfolio managers, risk teams, and investment operations hubs.
  • Ensure accuracy and timeliness across MIS, performance reporting, risk reporting, and client reporting.
  • Enhance controls over valuation, liquidity, collateral, cash management, and counterparty risk.
• Vendor, Custody & Outsourcing Oversight
  • Manage relationships with custodians, fund accountants, RTAs, brokers, technology vendors, KYC service providers, and global shared services centers.
  • Negotiate SLAs, monitor service quality, and manage operational risk with all outsourced service providers.
  • Champion vendor due diligence, ongoing monitoring, and audit processes.
• Technology & Digital Transformation
  • Drive modernization of tech infrastructure including OMS/EMS, PMS/AIF systems, fund accounting, CRM, investor portals, and data platforms.
  • Lead automation initiatives, workflow enhancements, STP processes, and digital investor experience improvements.
  • Ensure adherence to firmwide cybersecurity, data governance, and cloud policies.
• Business Expansion Support
  • Provide operational leadership for:
    • New mutual fund schemes
    • New AIF categories or PMS strategies
    • GIFT City fund launches (FEFs, FPIs, cross-border advisory)
  • Conduct operating model design, due diligence, and project execution for new products and geographies.
  • Partner with distribution, product, and investments teams for seamless launch execution.
  • Setting up of new Investor Service Centers
• Risk, Control & Audit Management
  • Implement strong operational risk, internal controls, incident reporting, and remediation frameworks.
  • Ensure timely closure of audit findings (internal/external/trustee/regulatory).
  • Oversee business continuity planning for all India entities including GIFT City operations.
  • Partner with Compliance and Risk to build a predictive risk culture.
• People Leadership
  • Build and manage high-performing operations, technology, and support teams across locations.
  • Embed a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Lead talent development and succession planning across critical operational functions.

Knowledge & Experience

• 20–25+ years of experience in asset management operations, with strong leadership in Mutual Fund or PMS/AIF platforms; experience with IFSC/GIFT City entities is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with SEBI and IFSCA regulations.
• Expertise in fund operations, investment operations, NAV/accounting, Transfer Agency Operations, Investor Servicing, Digital initiatives and third-party vendor management.
• Strong exposure to global asset management operating models, governance expectations, and cross-border processes.
• Proven track record in building operational platforms, launching new products, and transforming legacy systems.
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder groups including global teams, regulators, and Boards.

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Rigorous governance and compliance mindset
• Strategic thinker with strong execution ability
• Excellent communication and board/regulator engagement skills
• Strong problem-solving and risk management capabilities
• High integrity and ability to operate in a global matrix
• Comfort with ambiguity and high-growth environments