Head of Settlements

Forming part of the overall Securities Service Operations group the Head of Settlements AU NZ will be responsible for overall management of units supporting transaction settlement flows across custody and Third Party Clearing and Account Operator flows for both Australian and New Zealand Markets ensuring transactions are processed within pre-determined service standards and with zero operational error.

The Role is diverse and covers multiple staff locations (Melbourne, Sydney, KL) and the successful applicant needs to be a strong people leader, be well organised, be able to prioritise and give direction in times of extreme pressure in a deadline and volume driven area. Must be able to adapt to change and foster and support ideas to support a growth business.

**Responsibilities**:

- Manage the units daily settlement volumes, ensure that the groups are operating as one with the same values and standards as deemed required by the business
- Manage the tracking of MIS statistics for the team, identifying volumes and trends
- Responsible for the unit’s capacity planning in conjunction with the local and regional business requirements
- Responsible for the coaching, training and motivation of staff with a view to progress their careers
- Manage the unit’s technology projects in conjunction with the technology and product managers
- Assist the business in the development of client RFP and participate in presentations process as required
- Ensure the business unit adheres to regulatory requirements imposed by stock exchanges and supervisory bodies
- Ensure business unit complies with information security standards
- Monitor the unit’s failed trades to ensure potential issues are identified and do not place the organisation under risk
- Support proactive communication strategies with a view of enriching cross collaboration between staff
- Work closely with other unit heads ensuring one strong operational mindset
- Perform regular staff appraisals and provide ongoing feedback to ensure performance of staff
- Responsible for procedures, controls and compliance within the securities processing team
- Participate in custody Audits i.e. - Internal, KPMG and other
- Responsible for daily working relationship with ASX, SFE, NZX and RBNZ
- Work closely with market regulators and Industry groups
- Work closely with the business to identify client issues, escalating client at risk issues, participating in weekly/monthly client calls
- Identify functionality gaps within existing systems and manage the preparation of requirement documents as required with full cost benefit details
- Responsible for setting and achieving departmental goals and objectives
- Work closely with the Operations committee to ensure all goals and objectives are met as a group, in addition to working with the operations head to re-engineer process and controls as required

**COMPLIANCE RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Ensure the business unit maintains the ethical standards contained in the Code of Conduct.
- Adhere to firm policies and procedures, regulatory and legislative requirements.

**KEY COMPETENCIES / SKILLS**

**Technical/Specialist skills/competencies**
- Strong understanding of all Custody & Issuer Services products and overall business flows across corporate actions, settlements, client service and control
- Strong background and experience in back-office administration processes and procedures
- Ability to identify and address control risks
- Proficient in the use of MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint,

**Business/Industry knowledge/competencies**
- Strong knowledge of the Australian & New Zealand markets specifically pertaining to custody, broking and unlisted assets space
- High level of experience in back office administration processes and procedures
- High level of understanding of audit standards and control risks
- Capacity to mitigate operational risk
- Extensive knowledge of CHESS / EXIGO / NZ Clear settlement processes

**Personal Attributes/Interpersonal skills**
- Strong people leader with ability to motivate and bring cohesiveness to the group
- Ability to work productively in a continuously evolving, complex and changing fast pace environment
- Ability to manage multiple projects
- Energetic, motivated and adaptable to change
- High level of interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with clients and stakeholders in a congenial manner
- Excellent attention and accuracy to detail
- Drive process improvements and change whilst mitigating risk
- Strong team player
- Strong numeracy and analytical ability.
- Exceptional problem solving skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to learn quickly in a high-pressure environment
- Participate in team development and personal development programs
- Self-motivated and independent
- Role model for values, diversity, partnership, management practices and communication

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor’s degree in Finance related field or business studies