Overview
The Reconciliations & Payments Team Leader is responsible for leading the team that carries out daily reconciliations and payments, ensuring compliance with FCA CASS 6, CASS 7, and Principle 10 rules. The role further supports the production and analysis of accurate management information (MI), ensures timely regulatory reporting (including CMAR submissions), and works with the CASS Analyst to provide assurance to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Board, and regulators that client money and assets are fully safeguarded. This role will drive continuous improvement, support the onboarding of new clients from a reconciliations and payments perspective, and align operational processes with the long-term strategic goals of the business.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and develop the Reconciliations & Payments team, ensuring all staff are trained, competent, and motivated.
- Oversee reconciliations and payments, ensuring quality, timeliness, and compliance with FCA CASS and Principle 10 rules.
- Provide review and sign-off for escalated reconciliation breaks, payment exceptions, and regulatory submissions.
- Oversee the preparation and timely submission of the monthly Client Money and Asset Return (CMAR).
- Ensure daily payments through Barclays .Net are completed securely, accurately, and within control frameworks.
- Oversee the integrity of financial records within the SUN General Ledger system.
- Work with the CASS Analyst to maintain and enhance operational controls, policies, and procedures.
- Work with the CASS Analyst to produce and present MI for the Senior Management Team, and the Board to support oversight and governance.
- Highlight trends, risks, and emerging issues, recommending corrective actions.
- Act as a key point of contact for external auditors, regulators, and custodians in relation to reconciliations and payments.
- Represent the reconciliations and payments function in client onboarding projects, ensuring processes are embedded and risks managed.
- Contribute to the development and execution of the Operations strategy, ensuring scalability, resilience, and regulatory robustness.
- Lead or sponsor process improvement initiatives, technology enhancements, and efficiency programmes within the team.
- Build a high-performing team culture with clear accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and succession planning within the department.
- Promote and embed a culture of integrity, compliance, regulatory awareness and customer focus across the team.
Knowledge, Skills, and Personality: Essential
- Substantial experience in reconciliations and payments within pensions, investments, or financial services.
- Good technical knowledge of FCA CASS 6, CASS 7, Principle 10, and CMAR reporting requirements.
- Proven leadership and people management skills, with experience developing teams.
- Experience liaising with regulators, auditors, and senior stakeholders.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong knowledge of payment systems (Barclays .Net) and general ledger systems (SUN or equivalent).
- Advanced Excel and MI reporting capability.
- Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines.
- Experience in process improvement, automation, or technology change projects.
- Experience supporting client onboarding in a regulated financial services environment.
- Exposure to strategic planning and operational resilience initiatives.
Education, qualifications, and special training
- AAT is desirable, but not essential.
Location & Hours
This role will be based out of our Peterborough head office.
16 Tesla Court
Peterborough
PE2 6FL
The Shire Hall, High Pavement, Nottingham, NG1 1HN
35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This role operates on a shift pattern rotation (8am–4pm, 9am–5pm, 10am–6pm) to ensure continuous coverage of operational needs. Occasional overtime may be required to meet critical deadlines at month end.
Hybrid working is supported with 2/3 days in the office
Quai welcomes everyone and embraces diversity and equal opportunities for all. We\'re committed to creating an inclusive team with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to be themselves at work.
