Operations Manager

Overview

In this role you will oversee payments processing for domestic and international clients and ensure strict adherence to policies and controls. You will lead a mid-to-senior operations team, foster continuous improvement, and support audits, risk management, and regulatory compliance. You’ll drive process improvements, system enhancements, and change initiatives while maintaining operational resilience. This position offers impact by shaping how payments operations scale within a global bank.

Responsibilities

• Oversee processing of all domestic and international payments
• Verify, authorize, and release payment instructions per policy
• Review and improve operational processes
• Maintain high accuracy and control standards to meet SLAs
• Lead, mentor, and develop team performance and succession planning
• Support internal and external audits
• Manage resourcing, engagement, performance reviews, and training
• Promote accountability and continuous improvement
• Ensure compliance with AML/KYC and segregation of duties
• Lead quality control across operations and client service delivery
• Coordinate priorities through department head meetings
• Authorize payments and operational messages as required
• Approve invoices and contribute to budgeting with COO
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation, and system enhancements
• Lead/change system upgrades and SWIFT-related projects
• Strengthen operational resilience, business continuity, and disaster recovery
• Support COO with planning and key business decisions
• Oversee implementation of new/updated products and processes
• Act as authorised signatory where required
• Identify, manage, and escalate risks suitably
• Manage operational contracts
• Produce management information (MI) reports
• Ensure compliance with laws, policies, training, and reporting obligations
• Support resilience training and incident response
• Lead, motivate, and develop team through reviews and 1-1s
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and staff development
• Ensure continuous training and development for staff

Key requirements

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience in banking/financial services
• Minimum 5+ years’ banking experience
• Strong background in banking operations and payments processing in regulated environments
• Knowledge of payment schemes (SWIFT, BACS, Direct Debits) and operational requirements
• Familiarity with Equation Banking system (advantageous)
• Understanding of AML, sanctions, PSRs, and financial crime risks in payments
• Experience managing teams in fast-paced operational settings
• Knowledge of operations, third-party vendor management, private banking, treasury, risk, and compliance

• leadership
• mentoring
• cross-functional collaboration
• SWIFT
• BACS
• Direct Debits

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