At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Payment Operations team to ensure smooth and timely processing of bank transactions.
- Company: Dynamic banking institution focused on innovation and operational excellence.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, pension plan, private medical insurance, and generous leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and continuous improvement in a collaborative team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in payment operations while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: A-levels or equivalent experience in banking or payments; 3 years in Banking Operations preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Job Description
Role Purpose
The Payment Operations team is responsible for the accurate and timely processing, monitoring and control of the Bank’s payment activity across relevant payment channels, ensuring transactions are completed in line with internal procedures, regulatory expectations, cut-off times and agreed service levels.
The role holder will act as an experienced member of the team, supporting day-to-day payment processing, exception management, reconciliations, queue monitoring and operational controls.
The role holder will be expected to apply strong technical knowledge of payments, SWIFT messaging and operational risk to ensure high-quality delivery, effective resolution of payment issues and continued focus on payment optimisation.
The successful candidate will support the smooth running of payment operations, provide guidance to colleagues, contribute to process improvements and help ensure that payment activity is controlled, efficient and resilient.
They will play an active role in identifying non-STP drivers, completing root cause analysis and using operational insight to reduce manual intervention, improve straight-through processing and strengthen the end-to-end payment journey.
The role holder will work closely with Payment Investigations, Cash Management, Reconciliations, Technology, Product, Front Office and other business areas to support payment execution, resolve operational issues, strengthen controls and deliver improvements across the payment lifecycle, including providing structured feedback to Product on recurring issues, client impacts and opportunities for payment optimisation.
- Role responsibilities
- Process, monitor and control payment activity across relevant channels, ensuring transactions are accurate, timely and completed within agreed cut-off times.
- Review and interpret SWIFT MT and ISO 20022 messages to support payment processing, repairs, exception resolution and escalation.
- Monitor payment queues, pending items, unmatched transactions and exceptions to ensure timely progression and effective issue resolution.
- Investigate payment failures, non-STP items and operational queries, completing root cause analysis to identify trends, control gaps and improvement opportunities.
- Perform payment-related control checks, reconciliations and validation activity in line with internal procedures, regulatory expectations and risk appetite.
- Liaise with correspondent banks, clients, internal operations teams, Front Office, Compliance, Technology and Product to support payment execution and resolve issues.
- Provide structured feedback on recurring issues, non-STP drivers, client impacts and enhancement opportunities to improve straight-through processing and operational efficiency.
- Support new payment products, system changes, controls and process improvements, including testing, documentation and operational readiness activity.
- Maintain accurate records, audit trails, procedures and supporting evidence in line with governance and control standards.
- Support operational reporting and management information on payment volumes, exceptions, non-STP trends, controls and service level performance.
- Share knowledge and guidance with colleagues, promoting consistent payment operations practice, risk awareness and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- Educated to A level standard or equivalent demonstrable experience within banking, payments or financial services operations.
- Relevant payments, banking operations, SWIFT, compliance or financial services qualifications would be advantageous but are not essential.
- Evidence of continued professional development in payments, operational risk, financial crime awareness, payment schemes or industry messaging standards would be beneficial.
Experience
- Minimum 3 years’ experience within Banking Operations, preferably within Payment Operations.
- Practical experience of processing, monitoring and investigating payments across relevant payment channels, including exception management, payment repairs and escalation handling.
- Working knowledge of SWIFT payment messages and investigations, including MT1XX / MT2XX messages and ISO 20022 pacs.008 / pacs.009 message types.
- Experience identifying non-STP drivers, performing root cause analysis and supporting actions to reduce manual intervention and improve straight-through processing.
- Experience working with internal stakeholders to resolve payment issues and provide feedback on recurring trends or enhancement opportunities.
- Good understanding of operational controls, reconciliations, audit trails and risk management standards within a regulated banking environment.
- Additional Information
- Hybrid working
- Contributory personal pension plan: - Minimum: Employee 2% and Employer 7%. Employer matches contributions in 1% increments to a maximum of: Employee 5% and Employer 10%
- Life Assurance – 4 times annual salary
- Group Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance – this may include cover for partner and or children at company cost. Cover includes Optical, Dental and Audiology
- Discretionary Bonus
- Competitive Annual Leave
- 2 Volunteering Days
- Benefit Hub
Payment Operations - Senior Analyst in London employer: Smart Recruiters
Evelyn Partners is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary, private medical insurance, and a generous holiday package. Our inclusive work culture fosters diversity and collaboration, ensuring that all team members feel valued and supported in their roles. With opportunities for hybrid working and a commitment to continuous development, we empower our associates to build meaningful client relationships while achieving their career aspirations in the heart of the financial sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payment Operations - Senior Analyst in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Smart Recruiters. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Payment Operations - Senior Analyst in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Smart Recruiters.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Smart Recruiters's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smart Recruiters
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Smart Recruiters.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Smart Recruiters will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Smart Recruiters employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
