Head - Centralized Operations

Hong Leong Bank Berhad; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Hong Leong Bank Berhad in Malaysia is seeking an experienced Head of Centralized Operations to oversee end-to-end remittance processing, AML screening, and corporate onboarding. The role emphasizes governance of regulatory reports and cost-efficient process improvements within a dynamic financial services environment.

The position requires a strong background in branch operations and a proven track record in managing large teams, driving automation, and maintaining robust compliance controls

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree with at least 10 years in relevant field.
• Minimum 8 years operations experience in branches.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in HO managerial level.
• Good analytical and problem solving skills.
• Practical and hands on in managing the ground staff in branches.
• Credit operations knowledge would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end remittance processing and AML screening.
• Lead manual reviews for e-KYC & fraud mitigation.
• Manage corporate online onboarding (BOB) and profile creation.
• Govern timely regulatory reporting to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
• Drive process simplification and lean improvements across Centralized Operations.
• Lead automation initiatives to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
• Develop and mentor the Centralized Operations team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Ground staff management

Credit operations knowledge

Education

Bachelor Degree

Job description

If you are looking to excel and make a difference, take a closer look at us…

Responsibilities

• Remittance Centralized Unit (RCU) Management: Oversee end-to-end processing of outward (IBG, RENTAS, SWIFT) and inward remittances, ensuring rigorous AML screening and adherence to Foreign Exchange Notices.
• e‑KYC & Fraud Mitigation: Lead the manual review of low e‑IDV score applications to verifyauthenticity and protect the bank against fraudulent onboarding.
• Business Online Onboarding (BOB): Facilitate corporate access to internet banking (HL ConnectFirst, HL ConnectBiz, HL ConnectPro) by managing entity applications and profile creation.
• Regulatory Reporting (BOP): Govern the accurate and timely submission of regulatory Cash Balance of Payment reports to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
• Process Simplification: Develop and implement strategies to streamline and enhance the efficiency of all departments within Centralized Operations. This includes continuous identification of opportunities to improve and automate processes, driving lean methodologies to reduce operational costs and optimize resource utilization.
• Automation & Process Simplification: Leverage technology solutions (e.g., RPA, AI integration, systems re-platforming, digitalization) to automate repetitive and manual tasks, enhancing efficiency and improving the customer experience through faster, more seamless service delivery.
• Compliance and Risk: Ensure all operations strictly adhere to regulatory requirements, bank policies, and internal controls, mitigating potential risks effectively and maintaining robust compliance frameworks.
• Cost Management & Financial Stewardship: Effectively manage and control divisional Operating Expenses (OPEX) through meticulous monitoring and tracking, ensuring all planned AAM activities are implemented according to the forecasted budget to drive cost efficiency and support long-term growth.

Managerial (team/group responsibilities)

• Optimize centralized operations for maximum efficiency, ensuring seamless alignment with evolving business and customer needs, which in turn enhances staff productivity and effectively manages costs.
• Conduct regular, proactive reviews and enhancements of Centralized Operations Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline workflows, reduce redundancies, and drive cost efficiencies across all functions.
• Uphold timely and accurate submission of periodical and statistical reports to stakeholders, ensuring full compliance, visibility and transparency of the business growth.
• Maintain up-to-date compliance circulars, draft policies, and conduct horizon scanning within designated timeframes to proactively address emerging regulatory and operational risks.
• Conduct periodic reviews and enhancements of risk assessments to proactively identify, evaluate, and mitigate operational risks across all Centralized Operations functions.
• Drive automation initiatives by defining comprehensive user requirements and conducting meticulous reviews of vendor scopes of work, ensuring all project deliverables are verified through rigorous end-to-end User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to enhance operational capabilities, streamline processes, and elevate the customer experience.
• Lead and develop the Centralized Operations team, fostering an environment that encourages continuous learning, skill development, and adaptation to new challenges, aligning with the "People pillar" focus on talent evolution and capability building.

Skills & Experience We Are Looking For

• Bachelor Degree with minimum 10 years of experience in relevant field.
• Minimum of 8 years’s operations experience in branches covering all aspects of branch operations
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in branch operations at HO Managerial level
• Good analytical and problem solving skills
• Practical and hands on in managing the ground staff in branches
• Credit operations knowledge would be advantageous as branch operations involves credit operational matters

About Hong Leong Bank

We are a leading financial institution in Malaysia backed by a century of entrepreneurial heritage. Providing comprehensive financial services guided by a Digital-at-the-Core ethos has earned us industry recognition and accolades for our innovative approach in making banking simpler and more effortless for our customers. Our digital and physical offerings span across a vast nationwide network in Malaysia, strengthened with an expanding regional presence in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia and China.

We seek to strike a balance between diversity, inclusion and merit to achieve our mission of infusing diversity in thinking and skillsets into our organisation. Candidates are assessed based on merit and potential, in line with our mission to attract and recruit the best talent available. Expanding on our "Digital at the Core" ethos, we are progressively digitising the employee journey and experience to provide a strong foundation for our people to drive life-long learning, achieve their career aspirations and grow talent from within our organisation.