Head of Operations

We are seeking an experienced banking operations leader to oversee the daily operational functions of a U.S. branch within an international banking organization. This individual will manage a broad corporate banking operations platform while remaining closely involved in transaction execution, controls, escalations, and problem resolution.

The role is well suited for a hands-on leader with strong knowledge of corporate banking products, treasury operations, payments, lending, and trade finance. The successful candidate will lead an operations team and work closely with Treasury, Credit, Compliance, Risk, Finance, Technology, and international colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day banking operations and ensure transactions are completed accurately, efficiently, and within established controls.
• Provide oversight across commercial loan servicing, deposits, cash management, domestic and cross-border payments, account servicing, and trade finance.
• Review and resolve complex transactions, processing exceptions, settlement discrepancies, and other operational issues.
• Oversee payment activity through major U.S. and international payment networks, including wire and financial messaging systems.
• Manage operational support for letters of credit, standby letters of credit, guarantees, and related trade products.
• Ensure reconciliations, settlements, daily controls, exception reporting, and operational close activities are completed appropriately.
• Oversee operational support for Treasury activities, including daily cash positions, liquidity needs, funding movements, foreign exchange, money market transactions, and settlement activity.
• Monitor correspondent and settlement account balances and coordinate funding requirements with international Treasury counterparts.
• Maintain strong transaction controls, appropriate approvals, segregation of duties, and accurate documentation.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Operations team, including workload management, performance management, training, and cross-training.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for operational issues, particularly matters affecting clients, settlements, funding, or transaction processing.
• Partner with Compliance and Risk to maintain adherence to BSA/AML, sanctions requirements, and applicable U.S. banking regulations.
• Support regulatory reviews, audits, control testing, issue remediation, and examination readiness.
• Work across business and support functions to implement new products, systems, procedures, and operational enhancements.
• Identify opportunities to automate processes, strengthen controls, reduce manual work, and improve service delivery.
• Maintain operating procedures, controls documentation, training materials, and other operational records.
• Provide management with operational reporting, performance indicators, risk metrics, and updates on significant issues.
• Manage operational relationships with financial institutions, service providers, and other external partners as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Banking, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of banking operations experience, including experience leading or managing others.
• Strong background in corporate or commercial banking operations.
• Hands-on knowledge of commercial lending and loan servicing.
• Experience with trade finance products such as letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and guarantees.
• Knowledge of deposits, cash management, domestic and international payments, and transaction settlement.
• Experience supporting Treasury functions, including liquidity monitoring, cash positioning, funding, and settlements.
• Familiarity with foreign exchange and money market products.
• Working knowledge of BSA/AML, OFAC requirements, and U.S. bank regulatory expectations, including those of federal banking regulators.
• Experience working for an international bank, foreign banking organization, or similarly cross-border financial institution is strongly preferred.
• Strong banking systems and Microsoft Office skills.
• Portuguese language proficiency required.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.