Chinese Securities- Team Head, Trade Operations (up to 85K)

Robert Half Hong Kong Limited; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 51,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Robert Half Hong Kong Limited seeks a seasoned Equity Derivatives Operations Team Head to lead a high-performing team in Hong Kong. You will oversee end-to-end post-trade activities, drive controls and process improvements, and partner with front office, finance, risk and technology to ensure flawless trade lifecycle management.

The role emphasizes stakeholder management, people development, and delivering operational excellence in a fast-paced financial services environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Around 15 years of experience within Operations, Middle Office, Trade Support, or related capital markets functions, with prior leadership responsibilities.
• Solid understanding of financial markets products and the operational processes supporting their lifecycle.
• Proven track record of managing complex operational issues, improving controls, and enhancing service quality.
• Experience working on business transformation initiatives, system implementations, process automation, or operational change projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Comfortable engaging with senior business leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Advanced Excel skills; exposure to automation, reporting tools, or data analytics solutions would be advantageous.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; additional Asian language skills would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily team activities, set priorities, and ensure smooth coverage across operations.
• Oversee end-to-end processing of trades, ensuring timely, accurate settlements.
• Manage post-trade activities from execution to settlement and event handling.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery and ownership.
• Monitor reconciliations for trades, cash, positions, and accounting; investigate discrepancies.
• Maintain a strong control framework and oversee operational risks and incidents.
• Lead issue resolution, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions to reduce risk.
• Partner with stakeholders on system enhancements and change programs.
• Foster strong relationships with front office, finance, risk, technology, and compliance.
• Coach and mentor team members, support succession planning, and promote collaboration.

Skills

Equity Derivatives

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Process Improvement

Risk & Controls

Incident Management

Project Management

People Development

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting or related

Tools

Automation tools exposure

Data analytics tools

Job description

Chinese Securities- Team Head, Trade Operations (up to 85K)

Our client is a leading global financial institution seeking an experienced Equity Derivatives Operations Team Head to lead a high-performing operations team in Hong Kong.

Reporting into senior management, you will oversee daily operations, drive process improvements, strengthen controls, and ensure seamless support across the trade lifecycle. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring someone who can effectively manage stakeholders, develop team members, and take ownership of key strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate will bring strong Equity Derivatives Operations experience, proven people management skills, and a proactive mindset with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive change. This role offers excellent visibility, regional exposure, and the opportunity to play a key role in supporting business growth and operational excellence.

The Role

• Team Leadership: Support the Head of Operations in managing daily team activities, setting priorities, providing guidance, and ensuring smooth business coverage across the function.
• Operational Oversight: Oversee the end-to-end processing of a broad range of trading products, ensuring transactions are accurately captured, monitored, and completed within required timelines.
• Trade Lifecycle Management: Manage all post-trade activities from execution through settlement, including event processing, product maturities, amendments, and exception handling.
• Service Delivery: Coordinate with internal operations teams and shared service functions to ensure seamless delivery, clear ownership, and timely resolution of operational matters.
• Reconciliations & Break Management: Monitor trade, cash, position, and accounting reconciliations, ensuring discrepancies are investigated, escalated, and resolved promptly.
• Risk & Controls: Maintain a strong control framework through regular reviews, oversight of operational risks, exception management, and adherence to internal policies and procedures.
• Incident Management: Lead issue resolution efforts, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions to minimize operational risk and prevent recurring issues.
• Business Change & Projects: Partner with stakeholders on system enhancements, process improvements, new business initiatives, and operational readiness for change programs.
• Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with front office, finance, risk, technology, compliance, and external partners to support business objectives and service excellence.
• People Development: Coach and mentor team members, encourage knowledge sharing, support succession planning, and foster a collaborative team environment.

Your Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Around 15 years of experience within Operations, Middle Office, Trade Support, or related capital markets functions, with prior leadership responsibilities.
• Solid understanding of financial markets products and the operational processes supporting their lifecycle.
• Proven track record of managing complex operational issues, improving controls, and enhancing service quality.
• Experience working on business transformation initiatives, system implementations, process automation, or operational change projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Comfortable engaging with senior business leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Advanced Excel skills; exposure to automation, reporting tools, or data analytics solutions would be advantageous.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; additional Asian language skills would be beneficial.

Reference No. 67010-0013537616

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