Head - Centralized Operations

Hong Leong Bank; Malaysia; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Hong Leong Bank in Malaysia is seeking a Senior Manager to oversee Centralized Operations, including remittance processing, AML screening, and onboarding support. The role emphasizes driving efficiency, risk management, and regulatory compliance across a large operational network.

We are looking for a senior banking operations professional with extensive branch and HO managerial experience, capable of leading a high-performing team and delivering lean process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree with at least 10 years in operations, preferably in banking.
• At least 8 years of branch operations experience.
• At least 10 years in HO managerial level for branch operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end remittance processing (outward and inward) with AML screening and FX compliance.
• Lead manual review of low e-IDV score applications for onboarding.
• Facilitate corporate access to internet banking by managing entity applications.
• Govern timely submission of regulatory reports (BOP) to Bank Negara Malaysia.
• Develop and implement process improvements to streamline Centralized Operations and drive lean cost reductions.
• Leverage automation (RPA, AI, digitalization) to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
• Ensure operations comply with regulatory, policy, and internal control standards.
• Manage OPEX and drive cost efficiency in line with budget.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Ground staff management

Education

Bachelor Degree

Job description

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 verify authenticity 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

• Bachelor Degree with minimum 10 years of experience in relevant field.
• Minimum of 8 years’ 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 involve 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.

Hong Leong Bank ("HLB") stands proudly as a leading financial services institution based in Malaysia, providing a wide range of comprehensive and innovative financial solutions across the region. These services are delivered through both digital and traditional means, via online and mobile banking, as well as our digital branch concept to provide customers with an efficient and seamless experience aided by technology. As the service and financial landscape changes rapidly with the ever-increasing use of technology, staying attuned to customers needs and desires becomes even more critical to HLB’s operations. To stay ahead of these dynamic changes, the Bank has adopted the approach of reimagining banking by embedding digital considerations and customer centricity in every aspect of our operations, from products and services as well as customer care and engagement. HLB’s ethos of being Digital-At-The-Core powered by customers-at-the-forefront will continue to lead us to innovate offerings in line with our aspiration of being a highly digital and innovative financial services organization.