Hybrid Principal/Senior Launch Manager, Enterprise

at Upvest

• Job title: Principal/Senior Launch Manager, Enterprise
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: No Education Requirement
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Berlin, Germany

About the role

• Principal Launch Manager at Upvest leading high-stakes launches and ensuring successful asset migrations across Europe. Collaborating with banks and overseeing project execution with operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• As Principal Launch Manager, you’ll lead Upvest’s most complex, high-stakes launches with established banks in Germany and across Europe.
• You’ll own end-to-end delivery for full launch programs - spanning scoping, implementation, and (where possible) migration - while serving as the executive-facing driver of the project.
• Additionally, you will support / drive asset migrations from incumbent custodians to Upvest, ensuring continuity of service, data integrity, and zero-defect go-lives.
• You are the “spider in the web”: synthesizing deep product knowledge with operational excellence, running steering committees with Upvest and client executives, and aligning legal, compliance, and technology streams.
• You’ll set the bar for how Upvest launches complex banking clients, help shape our playbooks, and mentor Launch Managers across the portfolio.
• Support or own (depending on experience) custody asset migrations (e.g. equities, ETFs, Mutual Funds etc.) from the client’s previous custodian to Upvest
• Ensure all projects are meticulously planned, executed, and tested
• Create first-class, repeatable enterprise client launch and migration experiences: Lead and standardize securities integration and migration projects, enabling clients to build investment products on our API
• Drive day-to-day execution with Engineering, Product, Operations, and Compliance - removing blockers, negotiate trade-offs, and keep scope, timeline and risk in balance
• Set new standards in client collaboration and communication
• Run steering sessions with senior stakeholders at established banks. Surface options with clear implications, secure decisions, and maintain a crisp narrative of progress and risk
• Build trusted client relationships and foster cross-functional collaboration with a partnership mindset. Your pragmatic leadership style ensures successful integrations, motivates teams, and aligns client needs with our business goals.

Requirements

• Proven track record leading complex, multi-entity programs for tier-1 banks or large financial institutions—ideally covering custody, brokerage, post-trade, or securities operations
• Ideally experience in management consulting
• Executive communication, decision-log discipline, and calm leadership under pressure
• Expert in end-to-end project management: Proven ability to design, plan, and execute large-scale projects
• Superb project and communication skills, with a hands-on attitude
• A client-first mindset and a pragmatic approach to solving problems
• A willingness to dive into the deep end, be challenged and learn at a rapid pace
• Risk Management focus - Ability to identify risks associated with migrations and implement effective mitigation strategies
• Capable of defining and aligning technical and business requirements for seamless migration processes
• Experience in managing the custody transfer of financial instruments, like equities, ETFs and mutual funds
• Passionate about improving tools and processes
• You are proactive in coming up with an informed hypothesis, planning with foresight, and addressing questions or issues early
• You are fluent in English and German (both written and verbal).

Benefits

• Flexible work environment: Work from any of our hubs in Berlin, London or Tallinn hybrid or remotely across Europe, depending on the role.
• Professional development: Access an annual budget of €1,500 for personal and professional training to master your craft.
• Wellbeing: Recharge with 30 days of annual leave and maintain a healthy lifestyle with sports benefits. Access confidential professional coaching and enjoy the flexibility to work remotely abroad for up to 183 days a year.
• Compensation and equity: We believe that all Upvengers contribute to our success and deserve a competitive, above-market salary and a participation in our employee equity program.
• Team celebrations: Participate in company-wide events, such as UpFest, dinners, offsites and our Holiday party, to connect with colleagues and celebrate our achievements.