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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance banking operations while ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
- Company: Respected Chinese corporate bank with a strong presence in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunity to shape the future of banking operations.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a significant impact on banking operations and governance.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in banking operations, fluent in Mandarin, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for strategic change initiatives and collaboration across departments.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
This appointment represents a significant leadership opportunity for a seasoned Operations executive with fluent Mandarin and a strong track record within wholesale or corporate banking. With a minimum of 10-15 years’ experience in complex banking operations, the successful candidate will step into a strategically critical role supporting the COO and senior management team in shaping, strengthening, and future-proofing the Bank’s operational platform in the UK.
My client is a well-established Chinese corporate bank with a strong footprint in London and an ambitious roadmap for growth. The Deputy Head of Operations will play a pivotal role in ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and high-integrity execution across all core banking processes.
The Role
This is a senior, influential, and highly visible position requiring a leader who can combine deep technical authority, sound risk and control judgement, and strong people leadership. The role offers the scope to drive operational standards, uplift capability, and directly influence the Bank’s governance environment.
You will be responsible for the effective oversight of all day-to-day operational activities across:
- Payments Operations (domestic & international)
- Treasury Settlements
- Trade Finance Operations
- Loan Administration (bilateral & syndicated)
- Reconciliations, Correspondent Banking & Custodian Services
Alongside core delivery, you will champion a robust operational risk and control framework, oversee CASS-related responsibilities as a delegated SMF individual, and own key elements of the Bank’s UK regulatory reporting landscape including EMIR, MiFID II, SFTR, SCV, SMMD and CASS.
The Deputy Head of Operations will also play a critical role in leading and supporting strategic change initiatives, from systems enhancements and UAT governance to business continuity planning and regulatory reviews. Close partnership with Front Office, Compliance, Risk, Finance, Internal Audit and governance committees is essential to success.
Candidate Requirements
- Minimum 10-15 years’ experience in operational leadership roles within corporate or wholesale banking
- Broad and hands-on expertise covering Treasury, Clearing, Corporate Banking and Custodian Operations
- Strong understanding of UK regulatory requirements and their impact on Operations
- Proficiency with SWIFT, Treasury booking/settlement systems (e.g. OPICS) and core operational platforms
- Demonstrated people leadership and experience uplifting team capability
- Proven ability to operate confidently with Compliance, Risk, Audit and senior management
- Excellent communication skills in English; Mandarin essential for collaboration with head office
- Exceptional organisational discipline, accuracy, and the ability to perform under pressure
Summary
This is a rare opportunity to join a respected Chinese corporate bank at a senior level, shaping and delivering the operational backbone that enables business growth, regulatory integrity, and client trust. It is ideally suited to an experienced Operations leader who brings both technical depth and strategic foresight, combined with the cultural fluency to operate seamlessly between London and China.
Deputy Head of Operations Mandarin in London employer: ABL Recruitment
Contact Detail:
ABL Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of Operations Mandarin in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the banking sector, especially those who have experience in operations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their operational challenges and think about how your experience can help them overcome these hurdles. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your Mandarin! Since this role requires fluency, brush up on your language skills, especially in a business context. It’ll show your commitment and make you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of Operations Mandarin in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Deputy Head of Operations role. Highlight your operational leadership experience, especially in corporate or wholesale banking, and don’t forget to mention your fluency in Mandarin!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for operational excellence and how your background aligns with our ambitious roadmap for growth.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you’ve driven operational standards and improved processes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ABL Recruitment
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of banking operations, especially in areas like Payments, Treasury, and Trade Finance. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise and how you've driven operational excellence.
✨Showcase Your Regulatory Know-How
Familiarise yourself with UK regulatory requirements such as EMIR and MiFID II. During the interview, highlight your experience in managing compliance and how you've navigated regulatory challenges in previous roles. This will show that you understand the critical nature of these regulations in banking operations.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you've uplifted team capabilities in the past. Share specific instances where you've led teams through change or improved operational standards, as this role requires strong people leadership and the ability to influence others.
✨Practice Your Mandarin
Since fluency in Mandarin is essential for this role, make sure you're comfortable discussing banking concepts in Mandarin. You might be asked to switch languages during the interview, so practice key terms and phrases related to operations to ensure you can communicate effectively.
