Head of Operations

Key Responsibilities

1. Operations Leadership and Operational Oversight

• Lead, supervise and manage the Operations Department, setting clear roles,workflows and accountabilities for each processing and settlement activities for all operations functions.

• Formulate, review, and continuously enhance departmental standard operating procedures to optimize efficiency, ensure scalability, and align with evolving regulatory landscapes and Head Office directives.

• Ensure ongoing independence of the operations department: for instance, enforce maker-checker and dual controls, signature verification and segregation of duties.

2. Transaction Processing and Settlement Oversight

• Oversee the processing of loan drawdowns, disbursements, repayments, interest and fee settlements, rollovers, interest rate resets and bookings for bilateral and syndicated loans, including confirmation that approved terms, conditions precedent and documentation are in place.

• Oversee deposit operations and workflows ensuring all controls requirements are met before funds are released or placement are made.

• Oversee the settlement of treasury and investment transactions (including interbank placements, foreign exchange, bonds and swaps) through correspondent banks and custodians, including confirmation matching and independent verification of standard settlement instructions.

• Review daily reconciliations of nostro, vostro and MAS settlement accounts; ensure breaks, failed trades and ageing items are investigated and cleared within defined timelines, and escalate unresolved exceptions.

3. Operational Risk & Client Due Diligence Oversight

• Embed a strong risk-aware culture; ensure strict adherence to dual controls, segregation of duties, and authorization limits across all operational processes.

• Work closely with the Compliance Department to ensure operational compliance with AML/CFT requirements, including customer due diligence documentation checks before onboarding, name and payment screening, escalation of unusual or suspicious activity, and record-keeping.

• Implement operational changes arising from MAS Notices and Guidelines and Head Office policies, in liaison with Compliance.

• Oversee business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements and testing for operations, and the resilience of critical operational services.

• Manage third-party service providers used by operations (such as correspondent banks, custodians and SWIFT service providers), including due diligence and ongoing performance monitoring, in coordination with Risk Management, Information Technology and Compliance.

• Ensure accurate record-keeping and retention, and the timely and accurate maintenance of transaction and static data.

• Support internal audit, external reviews and regulatory inspections, and track the closure of operations-related findings.

4. General Office Administration

• Oversee branch general affairs, vendor management, office supplies procurement, and administrative facilities management to ensure a secure and fully functional office environment.

5. Governance, Reporting and Stakeholders

• Report to the General Manager on operations performance, exceptions, incidents and control issues, and prepare reports for relevant Management Committees and Head Office as required.

• Participate in relevant Management Committees

• Undertake other duties assigned by the General Manager, provided they do not compromise the independence of the role or segregation of duties.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Degree in Banking, Finance, Accounting or a related discipline.

• At least 5 years’ experience in wholesale or corporate banking operations (loan administration including syndicated loans, deposit and remittance processing, treasury settlement) including some exposure in leading an operations team.

• Knowledge of MAS requirements relevant to operations, such as customer due diligence, sanctions screening and wire transfers, operational risk, business continuity and outsourcing.

• Able to lead a small team and personally act as checker in a lean branch; sound judgement, integrity and attention to detail.

• High standard of integrity, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong capability in managing operational risks.

• Excellent communication skills; proficient in English and Mandarin.