Head of Operations – Banking & Financial Services

About the role

The Head of Operations will design, lead and continuously improve the operational function of a regulated banking organisation. Reporting to senior management, the role ensures day‑to‑day banking activities, operational controls and client asset protection are executed efficiently and in full compliance with regulatory and internal governance standards.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement the operational framework covering payments, settlements, reconciliations, investment operations, client servicing and custody activities.
• Lead the local operations team and coordinate with outsourced service providers.
• Ensure all operational activities meet regulatory obligations and internal policies.
• Oversee outsourcing governance, including SLA management, performance monitoring and issue escalation.
• Act as the primary contact for auditors, regulators, banking partners and external vendors.
• Safeguard, reconcile, segregate and report client assets accurately.
• Manage operational risk controls, dual‑control processes, business continuity and resilience measures.
• Support operational readiness for new products, services, systems and initiatives.
• Drive process improvement, automation, standardisation and efficiency projects.
• Provide operational reporting and insights to senior management and governance committees.

Required profile

• Degree in Finance, Business, Accounting or a related field.
• Extensive experience in banking or financial services operations within a regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of payments, settlements, reconciliations, custody and investment operations.
• Experience managing outsourced or cross‑border operational service models.
• Good understanding of operational risk management, governance and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with private banking or wealth management operations is a plus.
• Proven ability to build teams, implement processes and manage vendor relationships.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are beneficial.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape a modern operations function and influence key business initiatives.
• Collaboration with risk, technology and regulatory stakeholders in a dynamic financial services environment.