Head of Operations - Trade

About the role

The Head of Operations – Trade reports to the General Manager Customer Delivery and is responsible for the end‑to‑end operational performance of an Institutional Trade product portfolio. Based in Bengaluru, the role oversees the design, execution, control and fulfillment of trade operations across the GCC and in‑country teams, ensuring simplicity, resilience and alignment with customer, risk and regulatory expectations.

Key responsibilities

• Own operational performance and fulfilment model for the assigned trade product portfolio, setting service standards and escalation pathways.
• Design, govern and continuously improve processes, controls, standards and procedures to ensure global consistency and auditability.
• Drive productivity, efficiency and cost‑to‑serve improvements through simplification, automation and workforce strategies.
• Manage the Run/Modify change backlog, prioritising delivery to support strategic objectives.
• Maintain a single enterprise view of process execution, ensuring clear ownership and performance visibility.
• Represent the operational voice in product, coverage, risk, technology and governance forums.
• Partner with Country COOs and GCC Operations leaders to resolve service issues and deliver sustainable outcomes.
• Own workforce strategy for GCC teams, including organisational design, capability development, recruitment and succession planning.

Required profile

• Extensive senior leadership experience in Institutional Banking, Institutional Operations or Trade Operations.
• Deep understanding of trade product domain, customer journeys, operational processes and supporting systems.
• Proven track record delivering large‑scale operational delivery across geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong knowledge of operational risk, financial crime, audit, regulatory obligations and control frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to lead simplification, automation and operational transformation initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across product, risk, technology and senior leadership.
• Experience building high‑performing, inclusive operational teams and driving workforce flexibility.