Head of Operations (SMF24) – Prestigious Banking Org

Overview

Our City-based international banking client is seeking an experienced Head of Operations to work closely with the COO, taking responsibility for planning, organising, and controlling the day-to-day operational activities across Trade Finance Operations, Treasury Settlements, and the Middle Office. This role plays a critical part within the First Line of Defence for Operational Risk and the identification and prevention of Financial Crime (including AML). It supports the delivery of the bank’s Strategic Business Plan and broader organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic & Operational Leadership
• Support the COO in executing Board-approved strategies and translating long-term objectives into operational delivery.
• Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and procedures aligned with the bank’s business plan.
• Continuously improve operational processes to enhance efficiency, scalability, and compliance.
• Supervise systems, controls, and infrastructure to ensure sustainable growth and operational resilience.
• Strengthen the operational resilience framework—identifying, measuring, mitigating, and managing resilience risks.
• Oversee the outsourcing and third-party risk management framework, ensuring alignment with operational resilience principles.
• Coordinate contingency planning and supplier continuity in the event of operational disruptions.

Operational Oversight

• Lead and oversee the Operations function (15 FTE), ensuring seamless end-to-end transaction processing and compliance with:
• Compliance & Operational Risk policies
• Credit Risk controls
• KYC and AML requirements
• ICC rules, including Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP)
• Drive business transformation and process re-engineering initiatives to enhance efficiency.
• Engage peer networks to share best practice and strengthen operational capability.
• Foster a performance-driven culture with strong risk awareness and continuous improvement ethos.

People Leadership

• Supervise, mentor, and develop Operations staff, setting clear objectives and conducting regular performance reviews.
• Ensure delegated cover is trained and briefed during planned absences, with appropriate handover documentation.
• Participate in training and development initiatives as directed by the COO, CEO, or Head of HR.

Operational Resilience

• Develop and maintain policies, standards, and governance arrangements for operational resilience in partnership with Risk and Compliance.
• Support the documentation and reporting of resilience frameworks for Board and Committee review.
• Collaborate with business functions to define and maintain key business services, impact tolerances, and resilience metrics.
• Conduct ongoing mapping of critical dependencies (people, process, technology, suppliers, data, premises).
• Develop and maintain incident response and continuity plans for severe but plausible disruption scenarios.
• Monitor and escalate operational incidents, near-misses, and resilience-related risks.
• Identify and drive initiatives to enhance firm-wide resilience capabilities.

Supplier Oversight

• Manage oversight of suppliers integral to critical service delivery.
• Conduct dependency mapping and risk assessments with key suppliers.
• Develop due diligence, monitoring, and exit frameworks for third-party arrangements.
• Coordinate resilience testing and scenario planning with suppliers.
• Lead response efforts during supplier operational disruptions.

Essential Background:

• Proven banking experience, ideally within a UK-based, foreign-owned institution.
• Strong knowledge of Treasury and Trade Finance products, including deal booking, settlements, and accounting entries.
• Deep understanding of PRA & FCA regulations and UK company legislation.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and analytical capability to interpret data and forecast operational impacts.
• Strong leadership and people management experience, with a track record of driving operational excellence.
• High level of commercial acumen and ability to anticipate challenges, identify solutions, and provide clear guidance to stakeholders.