Banking and Securities Operations Technician - specialist in Market Settlement Team

Directorate Overview

The Banking Directorate supports the Bank’s mission to maintain monetary and financial stability by developing and operating resilient and efficient banking, payment, settlement, and custody services in support of our strategic customers and our market operations. We are at the heart of the Bank both in terms of our core role in monetary and financial stability, and the wide range of internal and external stakeholders we work with. The variety and immediacy of the work we do means we are one of the most outward facing and fastest moving areas, acting as the 'bank within the Bank’ for the UK government, CCPs and other central banks, as well as our own market operations.

Department Overview

The Central Banking Operations Division (CBOD) manages the settlement of the Bank’s securities and fixed income operations. We provide securities custody and settlement services for a wide range of customers including the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) and foreign central banks, whilst also performing the settlement of the Bank’s official Sterling and FX market operations and of the UK’s foreign currency reserves (the Exchange Equalisation Account), as Agent on behalf of HM Treasury.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join the Market Settlements Team (MST) within the Central Banking Operations Division (CBOD) and develop expertise in some of the Bank’s core financial operations. The advertised role supports the timely and efficient settlement of securities and other transactions in support of the Bank’s own foreign currency reserves, and those of HM Treasury – making this a great opportunity to understand a wide range of products, policies and schemes implemented by the Bank.

The jobholder will have knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: collateral management, securities settlement, asset servicing or derivative products. The jobholder will also have a mixture of operational and change management responsibilities. They will utilise their knowledge and experience to provide advice and guidance on operational issues, and work with the analysts in support of changes to processes. There will also be opportunities to engage with new and exciting projects and change initiatives, working closely with a number of teams across the Bank such as the front office trading desks, middle office and operational risk. In addition to business-as-usual operational responsibilities, we encourage innovation and new ideas to how we approach our processes, so you will be in an area where you are able to make a real difference.

Main Job Role Responsibilities

• Daily Operations Management: to ensure the timely and efficient settlement in accordance with industry and legal deadlines.
• Being a source of Technical Expertise in all aspects of the team’s work: acting as a guide and mentor to team members, providing support to the team and in investigating and resolving operational issues.
• Change Implementation: assisting with the implementation of change initiatives that both impact business operations and systems use. This includes completing requirements for change, testing, and reviewing test output.
• Management Information: produce and present management information on the values and volumes of work processed by the team, including analysis to identify trends and key drivers in the data.
• Operational Excellence: identifying and driving forward improvements within the team as well as promoting a culture of continuous improvement amongst team members.
• Relationship Management: work closely with clients and custodians, representing the team at internal and external meetings, and maintaining and improving working relationships.

About You

A strong candidate will demonstrate most of the following essential attributes and experiences. The successful candidate does not need to be a technical authority in all areas from day one; a proactive approach to learning and developing is key. We are looking for potential and a willingness to learn, with on-the-job training provided.

Minimum (Essential) Criteria:

• Securities Settlements Experience: knowledge and experience in securities settlements, collateral management, asset servicing or derivative products.
• Organisational Skills: strong organisational and workload management skills, including the ability to switch between tasks and deadlines when necessary.
• Accuracy: ability to work accurately and to tight operational deadlines.
• Interpersonal Skills: strong interpersonal skills, able to interact effectively with other teams at junior and senior levels, including external stakeholders.
• Problem Solving: able to problem solve, including the identification of issues and in providing resolutions or recommendations.
• Adaptability: positive attitude to change and ability to see how actions/changes impact on other areas.
• Technical Proficiency: confidence in the use of Excel and other Microsoft products.
• Learning and Development: strong desire to learn and develop new skills.

Desirable Criteria:

• Project Experience: experience in projects and delivering change.
• System Knowledge: working knowledge of one or more of the following systems: EasyWay, Xact, OpenLink, T24, SWIFT Alliance.

Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve. At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it’s by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we’ll continue to make the best decisions for the public. We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns.

Salary and Benefits Information

The role you are applying for has a pay and development framework in place. This includes a starting salary of £39,360 with the opportunity to progress after approximately 18 – 24 months, contingent upon acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to transition to the experienced level. The framework will provide clarity on the skills to be developed and our expectation is that all staff who invest in their development will achieve this pay progression. This role also currently benefits from an additional Banking Operators Allowance - This is a non-pensionable cash amount equivalent to £4,000 per annum for full time employees, pro-rated for part-time staff in accordance with their working pattern. This will be paid in equal monthly instalments and will be subject to tax and national insurance. It is paid in addition to base salary and will not affect the value of benefits, performance award or pension contribution. We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate. In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below: Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time. A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool. An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits. 26 days’ annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits. Private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice.

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.

The Application Process

Important: Please ensure that you complete the ‘work history’ section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It’s therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process. The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages. This role closes on Friday 23rd May 2025. Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.