Head Fund Services Operations Middle East And North Africa MENA

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced professional to lead Fund Services Operations across the Middle East and North Africa. The role oversees the delivery of funds and fiduciary services operations, ensuring operational excellence, risk mitigation, and adherence to regulatory and group standards. The successful candidate will be responsible for the operational performance, risk controls, and implementation of governance frameworks while fostering a high-performing team culture.

Strategy

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure operations, whether local or hubbed, meet minimum standards and exceed client expectations in service levels and productivity.
• Align operational services across hubs to provide a standardized and efficient model that enhances client satisfaction.
• Define and manage client groupings while ensuring adherence to service level agreements (SLA).
• Monitor third-party agent performance and work closely with regional network teams.
• Implement country and global regulatory requirements and drive continuous service improvements.
• Collaborate with business heads to ensure operational platforms meet quality standards and client expectations.
• Maintain budgets and ensure efficient allocation of resources.
  
  

Business

• Lead day-to-day operations aligned with business strategy, optimizing people, processes, platforms, and products.
• Support operational teams in delivering high-quality services and managing operational risk.
• Drive efficiency, cost control, and compliance with all Group and country policies and regulations.
• Participate in client requests, proposals, and operational forums.
• Ensure accountability for remediation of operational losses and failed audits.
  
  

Processes

• Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders locally and regionally.
• Ensure high-quality service to internal and external priority clients.
• Provide expert operational knowledge and manage escalations from hubs or MENA countries.
• Own and manage regulatory reporting, suspense accounts, account reconciliations, and critical process oversight.
  
  

People And Talent

• Lead by example, building the right culture and values within the team.
• Recruit, develop, and retain skilled professionals to deliver operational obligations effectively.
• Set objectives, provide feedback, and reward performance aligned with responsibilities.
  
  

Risk And Governance

• Participate in operational risk forums, identify and mitigate risks, and ensure adherence to control frameworks.
• Manage root cause analyses, process improvements, and compliance with group and local regulations.
• Oversee audit responses, regulatory reporting, and risk remediation activities.
• Ensure sustainable control in day-to-day operations and monitor departmental performance metrics.
  
  

Regulatory And Conduct

• Uphold the highest standards of ethics, regulatory compliance, and Group Code of Conduct.
• Lead the team to achieve outcomes aligned with the Bank’s Conduct Principles, including fair client outcomes, effective markets, financial crime compliance, and a safe environment.
  
  

Key stakeholders

• Vertical Heads
• AME Cluster and Country Heads
• Network Management
• Business / Sales stakeholders
• Finance – country and Group
• Risk – country and Group
• Technology – country and Group
• Legal & Compliance – country and Group
• Regulators
• Internal and External auditors
• Africa adn Middle East (AME) and Group Financial Services Solutions Management Team (FSS MT)
• Country/ Regional Chief Operating Officer (COO)/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/ Human Resources (HR) Head
  
  

Other Responsibilities

• Embed Here for good and Group’s brand and values in Middle East (ME) countries for the Financial Services Solutions (FSS) franchise. Perform other responsibilities assigned under Group, Country, Business or Functional policies and procedures
  
  

Skills And Experience

• Expertise in conducting fiduciary and fund services operations, custody and clearing, and risk management.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage operational performance, and implement process improvements.
• Strong stakeholder management, assertiveness, and team collaboration skills.
• Ability to understand business strategy, financial controls, and governance frameworks.
  
  

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the funds and fiduciary services market, including custody services.
• Proven track record in operations management, risk control, and governance.
• Strong analytical and leadership skills, with a focus on continuous improvement.
  
  

About Standard Chartered

Were an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, weve worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If youre looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a bank making a difference, we want to hear from you. You can count on us to celebrate your unique talents and we cant wait to see the talents you can bring us.

Our purpose, to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, together with our brand promise, to be here for good are achieved by how we each live our valued behaviours. When you work with us, youll see how we value difference and advocate inclusion.

Together We

• Do the right thing and are assertive, challenge one another, and live with integrity, while putting the client at the heart of what we do
• Never settle, continuously striving to improve and innovate, keeping things simple and learning from doing well, and not so well
• Are better together, we can be ourselves, be inclusive, see more good in others, and work collectively to build for the long term
  
  

What We Offer

In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.

• Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations.
• Time-off including annual leave, parental/maternity (20 weeks), sabbatical (12 months maximum) and volunteering leave (3 days), along with minimum global standards for annual and public holiday, which is combined to 30 days minimum.
• Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
• Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market-leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills, global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first-aiders and all sorts of self-help toolkits
• A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning.
• Being part of an inclusive and values driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies - everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.

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