VP - Operations

Trevose Partners; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, a top-tier international bank, seeks a Head of Operations to lead the Hong Kong business, reporting to regional Ops leadership. You will partner with East Asia and other units to execute strategic plans and drive growth while maintaining strong risk controls and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities include overseeing HK operations across trade finance, loans, treasury, and onboarding (KYC), ensuring timely processing, and managing IT and digital transformation in Hong Kong.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in reputable financial institutions.
• University degrees with appropriate post-graduate qualification(s) (e.g. CA/MBA/CFA) or a qualified qualification.
• Strong knowledge of banking, processes, products, treasury and market activities.
• Well aware of HKMA guidelines and other regulatory requirements.
• Strong project management skills and ability to translate desired business concepts to actual processes for implementation.
• Proficiency in written & spoken English & Chinese (Mandarin).
• Regional exposure and working experience would be a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations HK with strategic guidance and directions.
• Oversee operations in trade finance, loans processing, treasury operations, and funds transfer.
• Ensure smooth onboarding activities including KYC, periodic reviews, account opening and administration.
• Ensure smooth functioning of credit administration activities.
• Ensure timely processing of business transactions and adherence to SLAs.
• Oversee outsourced operations to ensure compliance with controls and SLAs.
• Manage and deliver transformation programmes; coordinate IT strategy to support business goals.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Risk management

Presentation skills

Education

MBA

MBA or CA/CFA Equivalent

Job description

Our client is a top-tier international bank looking to hire a Head of Ops to lead and manage the operations of the Hong Kong business.

Responsibilities:

• In conjunction with Head of East Asia, and working closely with other business units to execute strategic plans.
• Contribute and support in the development and expansion of the bank
• Evaluates the overall effectiveness of risk management and control environment and continually improves the current processes and systems

Operations, KYC and Credit Administration

• Lead and oversee the operations department in HK by giving strategic guidance and directions.
• Ensure smooth daily operations in the areas of trade finance, loans processing, treasury operations, and funds transfer.
• Ensure smooth delivery of customer onboarding activities, including KYC, periodic review, account opening and administration
• Ensure smooth functioning of credit administration activities.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of business transactions, preparation of facility documents and limit implementation as per the agreed SLA.
• Oversee the outsourced operations to ensure no breaches of controls and/or SLA.

Projects and Technology

• Manage and ensure timely delivery of projects assigned from a business user perspective.
• Oversee IT department to ensure the IT strategy and deliverables support the business goals
• Coordinate with HO Digital teams to formulate digital strategy and to lead the digital transformation for Hong Kong.
• Ensure strict compliance to regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines in daily conduct of business operations, in particular to ensure strict compliance with all applicable MAS and UAE Central Bank regulations, besides regulations of other geographies where Singapore office transacts business.
• Strive to achieve zero financial losses and near misses arising from operations lapses.
• Ensure that all internal processes and infrastructure are robust and effective taking into consideration effective risk management and controls.
• Ensure that all audit findings are successfully closed with recommendations implemented within the agreed completion deadline.
• Work closely and support First and Second Line of Risk’s initiatives to strengthen the risk profile of the branch

Project and Change Management

• Work with business units, drive and deliver transformation programmes
• Identify the business requirement for key projects or change management initiatives which need to be implemented in HK / Asia, taking into consideration of internal and external customers’ business needs.
• Review the business case of projects/initiatives by analysing the cost/benefit and thereafter provide the appropriate recommendation to senior management for approval.
• Resolve any discrepancies / variances in the project plan and budgets or highlight them to Group Head of Operations (HO) and CEO (SEA) in order to ensure all issues are resolved in a timely manner.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of relevant working experience with reputable financial institutions.
• University degrees with appropriate post-graduate qualification(s) (e.g. CA/ MBA/ CFA) or a qualified qualification.
• Strong knowledge of banking, processes, products, treasury and market activities.
• Well awareness of HKMA guidelines and other regulatory requirements.
• Strong project management skills and ability to translate desired business concepts to actual processes for Implementation.
• Proficiency in written & spoken of both English & Chinese (Mandarin).
• Self-starter, strong supervision and interpersonal skills.
• Strong powers of articulation and presentation required both in the preparation of policies / procedures, strategies & presentation of the same to Senior Management.
• Regional exposure and working experience would be a plus.