Reconciliations Team Leader

Aj Bell; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AJ Bell in Manchester is seeking a Reconciliations Team Leader to run day-to-day operations of the Reconciliations function and act as the technical lead for reconciliation systems and controls. You will coach the team and ensure regulatory obligations and customer outcomes are met while driving automation and process improvements.

The role requires strong leadership, risk awareness and ability to oversee funding, client money and SIPP reconciliations, delivering resilient control frameworks and

Qualifications

• Experience leading reconciliations teams with strong delivery focus.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and control frameworks.
• Proven ability to coach, develop and manage performance.
• Ability to manage risks and support automation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the Reconciliations function.
• Act as technical owner for reconciliation systems and controls.
• Coach and develop Administrators and Senior Administrators.
• Monitor KPIs, SLAs and control standards across reconciliation activities.
• Coordinate with Technology and Change teams on system improvements.

Skills

Team leadership

Reconciliations

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Job description

Reporting to the Reconciliations Manager, the Reconciliations Team Leader is responsible for leading the day-to-day operation of the Reconciliations function whilst acting as the technical lead for the firm’s reconciliation systems and controls. The role supports the reconciliation manager by leading, coaching and supporting to the Reconciliations team, ensuring operational objectives, regulatory obligations and customer outcomes are achieved whilst supporting business growth through automation, process improvement and effective risk management.

Key responsibilities:

Operational Delivery & Control Oversight

• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of all reconciliation activities in accordance with regulatory requirements, internal policies and operational procedures, including: Client Money reconciliations, including the Internal Client Money Reconciliation (ICMR); Safe Custody Asset reconciliations; and SIPP Trustee bank account reconciliations.
• Oversee the accurate and timely execution of CASS funding and SIPP rebalancing activities, ensuring all requirements are met within defined control standards.
• Monitor reconciliation exceptions, break trends and funding exposures, ensuring aged items, high-value breaks, potential breaches and emerging risks are appropriately investigated, escalated and resolved.
• Ensure agreed KPIs, SLAs and control standards are achieved across all reconciliation and funding activities.
• Act as the primary escalation point for technical and operational reconciliation matters, providing guidance and support to the wider team.
• Perform reconciliation reviews, checking activities and technical oversight as required to maintain operational resilience and effective control coverage.

People Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, manage and develop team members through effective performance management, coaching, mentoring and development planning.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews and development discussions to support employee engagement and capability growth.
• Provide technical leadership and coaching to Administrators and Senior Administrators, ensuring appropriate knowledge sharing and development across the team.
• Manage attendance, annual leave, workload allocation and resource planning to ensure service objectives are achieved.
• Maintain appropriate succession planning, cross-training and contingency arrangements to support operational resilience.

Reconciliation System Ownership & Technical Leadership

• Act as the technical owner and subject matter expert for the firm’s reconciliation platform and associated automated controls.
• Design, build, test and implement new reconciliations, automation solutions and control enhancements to support business growth, operational efficiency and regulatory requirements.
• Configure, maintain and optimise reconciliation rules, matching logic and exception management processes to ensure effective control operation.
• Proactively manage reconciliation platform performance, ensuring agreed service, availability and performance standards are maintained.
• Investigate system and reconciliation issues, identify root causes and implement effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Work collaboratively with Technology, Change teams, and third-party suppliers to deliver system enhancements, resolve issues and maximise platform capability.
• Identify and deliver automation and process improvement opportunities that enhance efficiency, strengthen controls and reduce operational risk.

Risk & Control Management

• Maintain effective oversight of reconciliation controls, ensuring control activities are performed, evidenced and operate as designed.
• Support the maintenance of risk and control assessments, ensuring emerging risks, control weaknesses and regulatory impacts are identified, escalated and addressed appropriately.
• Ensure reconciliation-related controls, risks and issues are appropriately documented, reviewed and escalated in line with governance requirements.

General Responsibilities

• Ensure all reconciliation system configuration changes are documented, tested, approved and implemented in accordance with the firm’s change management framework.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date process documentation, system documentation, procedures and operating guides relating to reconciliation activities and systems.
• Analyse management information, operational data and exception trends to identify opportunities for process improvement, control enhancement and efficiency gains.
• Support internal and external audit activity, including the provision of evidence, walkthroughs, issue remediation and management actions.
• Support business change initiatives through requirements gathering, impact assessments, testing and implementation activities.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and high-performing team culture aligned to AJ Bell values and behaviours.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with key internal stakeholders, Technology teams, external suppliers