Head of Surveillance

Barclay Simpson; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial services firm is seeking a Head of Surveillance for a hybrid role in London. You will oversee a growing team, manage day-to-day operations, and support a multi-year transformation programme. The ideal candidate has a strong background in surveillance, experience in investment banking, and the ability to engage with senior stakeholders. This opportunity offers competitive salary and benefits, along with the chance to shape global surveillance capability.

Qualifications

• Strong background in surveillance within a financial services or investment banking environment.
• Experienced people manager with a collaborative leadership style.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic, agile environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the Global Head of Surveillance in executing a global transformation programme.
• Oversee the operations of the London-based surveillance team.
• Manage a high-performing team ensuring alerts are reviewed rigorously.

Skills

Surveillance background in financial services

People management

Product knowledge across asset classes

Strategic thinking

Verbal communication skills

Experience with surveillance tools

Tools

Smarts

Avenir

Global Relay

Job description

Overview

Head of Surveillance – Financial Services – Location: London (Hybrid). Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits. Note: Applications for this particular job have now closed.

A leading global financial services firm is undertaking a major strategic transformation of its Surveillance function. The role supports the continued enhancement of its programme and, with substantial investment and board-level backing, offers an exceptional opportunity to work on a multi-year transformation programme and help shape the firm’s global surveillance capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Global Head of Surveillance Governance & Strategy in executing a global transformation programme running through to 2027
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the London-based surveillance team, acting as the point of escalation for key issues
• Manage and develop a high-performing team, ensuring alerts are reviewed with rigour and strategic insight
• Drive improvements in controls and processes, leveraging insights from alert reviews to implement effective surveillance enhancements
• Work closely with global surveillance leads across APAC, EMEA, and the Americas, ensuring alignment with group standards
• Support regulatory engagement, ensuring communication is structured, formal, and aligned with expectations
• Act as the second-in-command to the global head, deputising where required and helping drive long-term strategic direction
• Own your area of surveillance expertise (e.g., FX, Equities) with accountability and confidence, contributing to both operational and strategic outcomes

Candidate Profile

• Strong background in surveillance within a financial services or investment banking environment
• Experienced people manager with a collaborative leadership style and a focus on building team capability
• Product knowledge across a range of asset classes is essential
• Strategic thinker with a structured, detail-oriented approach and strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable managing upwards and engaging with senior stakeholders including regulators
• Experience with surveillance tools such as Smarts, Avenir, and Global Relay preferred
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic, agile environment while bringing a high degree of accountability and ownership

Why Join?

• Join a growing surveillance function (team has expanded from 8 to 20+ in under a year)
• Be part of a high-impact, well-funded transformation programme
• Operate in a business that values agility, ownership, and collaboration – with no offshoring
• Work with a forward-thinking leadership team committed to raising the bar on surveillance excellence

Please contact [e-mail] for more information.

We seek individuals from a diverse talent pool and encourage applicants from underrepresented groups to apply to our vacancies. Our commitment to fair recruitment processes means that we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, regardless of their lived experience or personal characteristics. We also invite applicants who meet most of the listed requirements, even if not all, to apply. If you require any adjustments to the application process, please let us know.

Barclay Simpson acts as an Employment Agency for permanent positions and an Employment Business for temporary/contract engagements.

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