Head of Operations and Technology (SMF24)
City of London
Permanent
Up to £120,000
Cer Financial are working alongside an international bank, who are based in the City of London. They are seeking a Head of Operations who also has technical experience and holds SMF24, to work with them on a permanent basis.
The role:
* Lead strategic planning and delivery of operations, systems, outsourcing, and business continuity
* Develop and implement transformation programmes aligned with business needs
* Design and execute change strategies and implementation plans
* Manage third-party vendors to improve systems, processes, and reporting (e.g. dashboards)
* Drive operational efficiency and continuous improvement across the business
* Represent Operations at executive level and support decision‑making with specialist insight
* Translate strategic objectives into actionable business plans with measurable outcomes
* Ensure delivery of business change projects in line with executive direction
* Allocate and manage resources (budget, headcount) effectively within approved limits
* Contribute to business strategy through operational assessment and improvement initiatives
* Oversee departmental budgets, approvals, and capital expenditure decisions
* Analyse and optimise processes, systems, and overall operational effectiveness
* Monitor performance against plans, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions
* Benchmark productivity and introduce measures to enhance performance
* Build and manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
* Maintain an efficient operating model and drive digital transformation
* Act as Data Protection Officer (DPO) and ensure regulatory compliance
* Participate in internal and external committees (e.g. ExCo, ALCO, Risk)
* Ensure effective risk management across operations
* Set strategic direction and performance expectations for teams
* Lead, mentor, and develop high‑performing teams and direct reports
* Oversee capacity and project planning to meet resource requirements
* Monitor service quality and adherence to governance standards
* Identify training needs and support ongoing team development
* Maintain succession planning for leadership roles
* Handle escalations, grievances, and performance management processes
* Commit to ongoing personal development and effectiveness
The candidate will have:
* Must have banking operations experience – payments, settlements, operational resilience.
* Must have IT leadership experience: Tech/system upgrades, infrastructure, etc.
* Must have held SMF24.
* Strong FCA/PRA regulatory and compliance expertise.
* Solid understanding of banking operations in highly regulated environments.
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