Director of Markets Operations

Director of Markets Operations: A Strategic Leadership Opportunity with Significant Impact

For seasoned professionals looking to make a substantial impact in the financial services sector, the Director of Markets Operations role presents a compelling and rewarding career advancement. This position offers the chance to lead critical operations, drive digital transformation, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of financial markets infrastructure within a highly regulated and dynamic environment.

Key Advantages for Potential Candidates:

• Strategic Leadership & Influence: This is a senior leadership role demanding strategic vision and the ability to inspire and manage teams across multiple locations, including offshore partners. You will be instrumental in defining and executing the operational strategy for a significant portion of the Markets business.
• Driving Digital Transformation: A core aspect of this role is the ownership of a "Zero Ops" roadmap, emphasizing technology-enabled digitization, automation, and offshoring. Candidates with a passion for innovation and a forward-thinking approach to operational efficiency will find this particularly engaging. Embrace future digital skills such as data analytics, AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain.
• Critical Operational Ownership: You will be accountable for the settlement's infrastructure supporting the markets business, managing daily cash and bond settlements averaging £400-450bn across 47 currencies. This level of responsibility offers significant exposure to high-volume, high-stakes financial transactions.
• Regulatory Expertise & Compliance: Operating in a highly regulated environment, you will be responsible for maintaining post-trade regulatory compliance with global regulations (MiFID, Dodd-Frank, EMIR, SFTR) and managing Financial Market Infrastructure (FMIs) under Bank of England directives. This is an excellent opportunity to deepen your expertise in financial regulation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with various departments, including the Chief Controls Office, to ensure market abuse and conduct are considered. This offers a chance to build and strengthen your network across the organisation.
• Flexible Working Environment: The organization embraces flexible working, with a hybrid model requiring at least two days per week or 40% of time spent in one of their core offices (London, Birmingham, or Manchester). This offers a balance between structured office presence and personal flexibility.
• Professional Development & Innovation Culture: The company actively promotes continuous learning, agile methodologies, and a culture of innovation and experimentation. This is an environment where you can contribute to driving operational excellence and digital transformation.
• Attractive Benefits Package: Beyond the intrinsic rewards of the role, candidates can expect a comprehensive benefits package including a generous pension contribution, annual performance-related bonus, share schemes, adaptable lifestyle benefits, substantial holiday allowance, and a range of wellbeing and parental leave initiatives.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Depth of Markets & Treasury Knowledge: A deep and specialized understanding of markets products and operational risk is essential. Candidates must possess this expertise to effectively manage complex middle office functions and ensure the integrity of critical business processes like settlements and trade reporting.
• Regulatory Accountability: This role carries significant regulatory accountability. Candidates must be comfortable with owning and managing compliance with multiple global regulations and being a named officer for relevant frameworks.
• Risk Management Acumen: Proven ability to identify, assess, monitor, control, and mitigate market-related risks is paramount. A strong understanding of governance and operational resilience is crucial.
• Transformation Leadership: While an advantage, candidates should be prepared to drive enduring change programmes and influence investment decisions to achieve strategic outcomes. Experience in leading transformation initiatives with a focus on scalability and adoption will be highly valued.
• Financial Acumen & Control: Strong financial literacy is required to interpret complex financial data, manage substantial budgets, and navigate intricate financial challenges.
• People Management in a Diverse Setting: The ability to lead and motivate teams across diverse locations, including offshore partners, is critical. Fostering a collaborative, one-team approach will be key to success.

This Director of Markets Operations position represents a significant opportunity for a strategic and experienced leader to contribute to a prominent financial institution. It is an ideal role for individuals who thrive in complex, regulated environments, are passionate about driving operational excellence through digital innovation, and aspire to lead teams that make a tangible difference in the financial markets.