Executive Director /Manager – (Operational Change SME/Financial crime) London Until May 2026 Initially One of our large Financial service clients is currently looking a experienced Operation Change specialist with Financial crime knowledge Support the Programme Manager and OAD MD lead by providing the business and product expertise to drive Operations transformation including integrating Operational Excellence. Accountable for building and delivering the overall vision and driving the key operations priorities. They will have subject matter expertise (SME) / opinion on the changes the Bank needs to implement. Various Workstream Leads and the Project Manager to enable projects to progress with their objectives. Ultimately responsible for making sure the requirements are defined, tested and meet the needs of the business. Background: • CMG provides the enterprise professional project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) resource and expertise to the organisation. centralized business function operating at a strategic level to provide enterprise-wide oversight and management of change. • The oversight function includes governance, guidance, best practices, mentoring and up-skilling project managers from other departments and BAU staff. • Implementation of a standard enterprise-wide project framework including tools, templates and standardized processes. The aim is that CMG ensures strategic alignment between business objectives and projects executed. • CMG is also a resource centre/ centre of excellence. It is comprised of professionally qualified project, programme and change managers, business analysts and junior analysts. These are divided into multi-disciplinary teams with reporting line to a Team Lead. Responsibilities/SME duties: • Acts as a champion for the agreed in scope workstreams impacting EMEA Operations, providing ongoing subject matter expertise and also coordinating communication to Front Office departments. • Recognised as the Programme SME and responsible for primary communications to Operations whilst supporting Front Office to explain the impact of the changes coming on their business. • Defines initial gap analysis (in conjunction with the Workstream Leads and/or external counsel/consultants). Responsible for updating and finalising the gap analysis. • Reviews the Business Case and ensures that the appropriate approvals are obtained • Works in partnership with the Project Manager to validate and prioritise the sequence of changes targeted and any changes to the scope of the workstream • Responsible for ensuring that operating model and project changes meet business requirements and for presenting the proposed changes to Senior Management • Responsible for communicating the rationale for the required deliverables to the impacted areas of the Bank • Works in partnership with the Project Manager and the relevant Workstream Leads • Provides SME overview to ensure that the changes in processes, procedures, people, systems and controls across all workstreams meet the regulatory or business requirement (may seek internal/external advice to clarify regulatory requirements or provide rationale for change implemented) Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications : Experience of Operations and driving Operational Excellence in major financial institutions Operational Chance Financial Crime Experience of the structure of a modern commercial and investment bank A good understanding of the products, processes and systems including documentation, that will be impacted by the projects being undertaken A good knowledge of the organisational structure in EMEA with contacts and access to relevant staff at all levels of seniority in marketing and support departments Ideally some experience of delivering major undertakings to tight timescales and the ability to persuade and manage disparate work streams in parallel Evidence of calm, effective communication skills both written and verbal including presentations Good time management – must be able to work to deadlines and under pressure