Country Head Of Operations

Standard Bank Group is a leading Africa-focused financial services group, and an innovative player on the global stage, that offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities – plus the chance to work alongside some of the sector’s most talented, motivated professionals. Our clients range from individuals, to businesses of all sizes, high net worth families and large multinational corporates and institutions. We’re passionate about creating growth in Africa. Bringing true, meaningful value to our clients and the communities we serve and creating a real sense of purpose for you.

Lead and manage the Country Operations Function across product lines and asset classes in line with regulatory requirements, market rules, directives, policies and deadlines to achieve defined targets and quality standards and minimise risk whilst maintaining a positive client experience.                                                         

Lead and manage the Operations service execution teams in Country.  Creating an environment that empowers people to make decisions, embrace change and take control of their personal development and growth and set goals for self and team to achieve defined targets and quality standards within prescribed Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Formulate, communicate, collaborate, integrate and drive the Operations plans and execution roadmap for the Country, coordinating the efforts of the different operational areas under management, and measure delivery against plan to achieve Operations goals and deliverables.

Collaborate within the matrixed reporting lines to inform and align with Operations strategies and goals to ensure that Country nuances and requirements are considered and the local Operations planning is aligned with that of the Group.

Represent all Operations Functions at the Country Executive committee. Provide Operations feedback and input into the Country Executive committee reporting  and the thought leadership required to support the Business Units.

Establish relationships with relevant internal stakeholders (e.g. Business Unit Heads, Head, People and Culture, relevant board members, Group Matrix Heads, Trading Desks, Operations Exco’s, Stratco’s) and the broader external market (e.g. Regulators, Industry Association Leaders, clients and peers in other banks and Clearing Participants), to manage and resolve issues, meet client expectations, regulatory requirements and mitigate risk.

Investigate and resolve escalated issues that require resolution outside of standard operating procedures to maintain service levels within SLAs and regulatory requirements..

Accountable for implementation of a process that continuously monitors dashboards and reviews “out of Service Level Agreement (SLA)” processes, identifies process failures and inefficiencies, to detect trends and identify opportunities to enhance controls, operational effectiveness, levels of automation and minimize risk.

Extract insights generated by the monitoring and analysis process, operational indicators, trends, industry benchmarks and regulatory developments and articulate consolidated insights to identify opportunities for improvement, mitigate risk and facilitate data-led decision-making.

Create and control budgets, apply appropriate budgetary and cost management principles and disciplines to ensure that the function is appropriately resourced and equipped to deliver on its mandate.

Assess and consider ongoing opportunities to digitize the Operations processes.  Work with Business and IT areas to facilitate the digitization opportunities and provide the necessary sponsorship for the development and implementation of new technologies where appropriate.

Provide inputs to enablement teams on Operations requirements, consult with relevant, stakeholders, provide subject-matter expertise, champion Operations requirements, provide approvals and participate in design and post product deployment reviews to facilitate the effective development and implementation of new products.

Ensure consistent application of approved controls, policies, processes, procedures and work instructions to limit and mitigate risk and fulfil regulatory requirements and keep abreast of changing risk landscape and align relevant policies, processes, procedures and controls to ensure ongoing adequacy, relevance and compliance.

First Degree in Business, Commerce, Finance or Accounting or any related degree. A masters degree would be an added advantage.