Head of Operations (Foreign Bank)

Waratah Recruitment Partners; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Waratah Recruitment Partners is partnering with a foreign bank establishing a new Sydney branch. We seek a Senior Operations Manager to build the function from the ground up and shape the operational framework.

You will oversee core banking operations, drive system implementations, and recruit/lead the operations team as the branch scales, ensuring regulatory compliance and robust internal controls.

Qualifications

• Solid banking operations and management experience, with good knowledge of corporate banking operations.
• Previous Head of Operations, Operations Manager or equivalent senior operations experience.
• Experience in new bank or branch setup, system implementation, UAT, operational readiness and/or go-live.
• Experience with banking systems, SWIFT, and payments and clearing.
• Familiarity with APRA, ASIC and AUSTRAC requirements and regulatory/audit reviews.
• Strong business communication skills in both Mandarin Chinese and English.
• Australian PR, citizenship or unrestricted working rights.

Responsibilities

• Establish the branch's operational framework, procedures, SOPs and internal controls.
• Oversee core banking operations, including deposits, loan drawdowns, remittances, clearing and payments.
• Manage operational risk and ensure compliance with Australian banking operational requirements.
• Coordinate with Head Office, Compliance, Risk Management and IT across functions and regions.
• Lead system implementation, UAT, operational readiness and go-live.
• Recruit, train and lead the operations team as the function grows.
• Manage outsourcing and vendors, and oversee business continuity management.

Skills

Banking operations

Leadership

Regulatory awareness

Bilingual Mandarin/English

Branch setup

Tools

SWIFT

Payments & Clearing systems

Banking software

Job description

Our client, a foreign bank, is establishing itself in Sydney and is looking for a Senior Operations Manager / Head of Operations to join the team and help build out the function from the ground up.

This is a hands-on, high-impact opportunity to shape the branch's operational framework and grow the team around you.

Responsibilities

• Establish the branch's operational framework, procedures, SOPs and internal controls
• Oversee core banking operations, including deposits, loan drawdowns, remittances, clearing and payments
• Manage operational risk and ensure compliance with Australian banking operational requirements
• Coordinate with Head Office, Compliance, Risk Management and IT across functions and regions
• Lead system implementation, UAT, operational readiness and go-live
• Recruit, train and lead the operations team as the function grows
• Manage outsourcing and vendors, and oversee business continuity management

Requirements

• Solid banking operations and management experience, with good knowledge of corporate banking operations
• Previous Head of Operations, Operations Manager or equivalent senior operations experience
• Experience in new bank or branch setup, system implementation, UAT, operational readiness and/or go-live
• Experience with banking systems, SWIFT, and payments and clearing
• Familiarity with APRA, ASIC and AUSTRAC requirements and regulatory/audit reviews
• Strong business communication skills in both Mandarin Chinese and English
• Australian PR, citizenship or unrestricted working rights