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- Tasks: Lead operations and ensure compliance in a dynamic banking environment.
- Company: Established Chinese corporate bank with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate of £462, high-impact leadership role.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact during a critical period in banking operations.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in senior operational roles, fluent in Mandarin.
- Other info: Opportunity for strategic change initiatives and career advancement.
The predicted salary is between 96000 - 120000 £ per year.
Start date: By 14 February
Day rate: £462 per day (equivalent to £120k per annum)
Location: London
My client is a well-established Chinese corporate bank with a significant London presence and an ambitious growth agenda. As Interim Deputy Head of Operations, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and disciplined execution across all core banking processes.
This interim appointment offers a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced Operations executive with fluent Mandarin and a strong background across corporate and residential banking. The successful candidate will provide immediate stability and senior oversight during a critical period, supporting the COO and senior management team in maintaining and strengthening the Bank’s operational platform in the UK.
The Role
This is a senior, visible, and hands-on position requiring deep technical authority, strong risk and control judgement, and the ability to lead and influence in a fast-moving environment. You will be responsible for the effective oversight of day-to-day operations across:
- Payments Operations (domestic & international)
- Treasury Settlements
- Trade Finance Operations
- Loan Administration (bilateral & syndicated)
- Reconciliations, Correspondent Banking & Custodian Services
- Oversight of corporate and residential banking operational activity
- Treasury, finance, and broader operational governance
You will champion a robust operational risk and control framework, support CASS-related responsibilities as a delegated SMF individual, and oversee key elements of the UK regulatory reporting landscape including EMIR, MiFID II, SFTR, SCV, SMMD and CASS.
The interim leader will also contribute to strategic change initiatives, including systems enhancements, UAT governance, business continuity planning, and regulatory reviews. Close partnership with Front Office, Compliance, Risk, Finance, Internal Audit and governance committees is essential.
Candidate Requirements
- 10–15 years’ experience in senior operational leadership roles within corporate or wholesale banking
- Experience spanning corporate and residential banking operations, treasury, finance, and oversight
- Broad, hands-on expertise across Treasury, Clearing, Corporate Banking and Custodian Operations
- Strong understanding of UK regulatory requirements and their operational impact
- 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 work confidently with Compliance, Risk, Audit and senior management
- Excellent communication skills in English; Mandarin essential for collaboration with head office
- High levels of organisational discipline, accuracy, and resilience under pressure
This is a rare interim opportunity to step into a senior leadership role within a respected Chinese corporate bank, ensuring operational stability and regulatory integrity during a key period. It is ideally suited to an experienced Operations leader with deep technical expertise, strong governance capability, and the cultural fluency to operate seamlessly between London and China.
Interim Deputy Head of Operations (Mandarin‐Speaking) in London employer: ABL Recruitment
Contact Detail:
ABL Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Deputy Head of Operations (Mandarin‐Speaking) in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend networking events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues or industry contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and practising common interview questions. Make sure you can articulate how your experience aligns with the role of Interim Deputy Head of Operations. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
✨Showcase Your Skills
During interviews, highlight your hands-on expertise in operations and your understanding of UK regulatory requirements. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your ability to lead and influence in fast-paced environments.
✨Apply Through Our Website
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 are proactive and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Deputy Head of Operations (Mandarin‐Speaking) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in operational leadership, especially within corporate banking. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the Interim Deputy Head of Operations role. We love seeing passion and personality, so let us know what excites you about this opportunity.
Showcase Your Mandarin Skills: Since this role requires fluent Mandarin, make sure to highlight your language skills prominently. Whether it's in your CV or cover letter, we want to know how you’ve used your language abilities in a professional setting.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at ABL Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of corporate and residential banking operations, especially in relation to UK regulatory requirements. Familiarise yourself with key regulations like EMIR and MiFID II, as well as operational frameworks. This will show that you're not just a candidate, but a knowledgeable leader ready to step in.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or managed operations under pressure. Highlight how you uplifted team capabilities and navigated challenges. This is crucial for a senior role, so be ready to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with the bank's culture.
✨Fluency is Key
Since Mandarin is essential for this role, practice your language skills before the interview. Be prepared to switch between English and Mandarin if needed, especially when discussing technical aspects of operations. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with the head office and other stakeholders.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Research the bank's growth agenda and recent developments in the industry. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to strategic change initiatives and operational stability. Showing that you understand their goals and challenges will set you apart as a candidate who is genuinely interested in the role.