Head of Surveillance

Barclay Simpson; London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial services firm in London seeks a Head of Surveillance to drive strategic transformation in its surveillance function. The role involves overseeing operations, managing a growing team, and engaging with senior stakeholders, ensuring rigorous reviews and enhancement of surveillance capabilities. Ideal candidates possess substantial experience in a financial services environment, strong leadership skills, and a proactive approach in a dynamic setting. A competitive salary package and an exceptional opportunity await.

Qualifications

• Strong background in surveillance within a financial services or investment banking environment.
• Experienced people manager with a collaborative leadership style.
• Product knowledge across a range of asset classes is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support the Global Head of Surveillance Governance & Strategy in executing a global transformation programme.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the London-based surveillance team.
• Drive improvements in controls and processes for effective surveillance.

Skills

Surveillance in financial services

Team management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Experience in investment banking

Tools

Smarts

Avenir

Global Relay

Job description

Head of Surveillance – Financial Services
Location: London (Hybrid)
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits

A leading global financial services firm is undertaking a major strategic transformation of its Surveillance function and is looking to appoint a Head of Surveillance to support the continued enhancement of its programme. With substantial investment and board-level backing, this role 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 me with your CV for more information [e-mail]