Kaizen Recruitment Investment Operations Roundtable – Sydney
Kaizen Recruitment was proud to host our latest Investment Operations Roundtable in Sydney, bringing together key leaders from the investment management industry to discuss current challenges and opportunities in fund operations.
We have long recognised a gap in the consistent sharing of knowledge between leaders in investment management. This roundtable was designed to support those leaders by facilitating candid conversations, the exchange of ideas, and actionable insights.
We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the leaders who participated, representing ROC Partners, MA Financial, Ellerston Capital, Macquarie Asset Management, Centuria Bass Credit, AMP, and Koda Capital. Special thanks to Greig Nicholson for moderating the session, and to ROC Partners for generously hosting us in their boardroom for what proved to be an engaging and insightful luncheon.
Key Themes and Discussions
1. The Practical Adoption of AI in Investment Operations
One of the most discussed topics was the evolving adoption of AI. The consensus: while AI holds immense promise, implementation is still in its early stages for many organisations. So far, AI is being used in specific operational functions, such as:
• Reconciliations
• Operational due diligence forms
• Report generation
• Member reporting and engagement
While some funds referenced modest ROI — such as FTE reductions through automation — most agreed that AI’s value lies in enabling scalability to meet growing investor demand for customised and timely reporting.
The prevailing view? AI won’t replace people — but it will replace people who don’t learn to work with AI.
Participants also noted that while many system vendors are integrating AI features, there is a divergence between promise and performance. Many remain unconvinced of the tangible value added so far.
2. Data: The Fuel Behind AI
As expected, data quality and accessibility dominated much of the conversation. Most funds have built data warehouses, yet still find themselves constrained by legacy or bespoke systems that limit integration and insights.
“Good data in, good data out” was a recurring theme — underscoring that AI’s effectiveness hinges on high-quality inputs.
3. Technology as a Competitive Advantage
When the conversation shifted to systems and technology, leaders discussed how they are leveraging technology to drive operational efficiency and strategic value. This was particularly challenging for private markets fund managers, who cited difficulty in finding systems that serve both operational and finance teams effectively.
4. Regulation and Industry Standards
The recent ASIC discussion paper on private markets was also raised. Leaders from private market firms welcomed the attention, viewing it as a step towards higher standards and transparency across the sector.
Talent Trends: Skills, Offshoring, and Hiring for Attitude
As a recruitment-led roundtable, it was only natural the conversation turned to talent. Leaders shared reflections on their own career paths — many having gained broad exposure early in their careers, opportunities that are now rarer due to increased offshoring. (You can read more on this in our salary guide below)
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS SALARY GUIDE
When it comes to hiring, there was strong alignment across the group:
- Attitude trumps technical skills — you can train the latter, not the former.
- Candidates with lateral skills, such as data analytics, are increasingly valued.
- There is a supply-demand gap, especially in private markets talent. Flexibility is key — the “unicorn candidate” is rare.
Most firms now maintain offshore teams in the Philippines, India, or Vietnam to ease local cost pressures. The success of these teams, however, hinges on strong engagement from onshore leaders — including training, coaching, cultural alignment, and recognition.
Final Thoughts
We are incredibly grateful to all who joined us at the roundtable. At Kaizen Recruitment, we see it as a privilege to act as a trusted partner and conduit for knowledge-sharing across Australia’s investment management sector.
As a multi-award-winning financial services recruitment firm, we are committed to helping clients and candidates navigate industry trends, challenges, and opportunities with confidence. Whether you are looking to hire exceptional talent or seeking your next opportunity, Kaizen Recruitment is here to help.
Get in touch with our specialist investment operations and fund accounting team:
Get in Touch
Based in Melbourne and Sydney, Kaizen Recruitment specialises in financial services recruitment across funds management, wealth management, superannuation, investment consulting and insurance. If you’d like to discuss candidate career drivers and the current state of the market within the financial services recruitment landscape, feel free to reach out to us with your details below.
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