Head of CIB Operations - APAC

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) is the corporate and investment banking arm of Group BPCE, second largest financial institution in France. Natixis Global Services India (NGSI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Natixis SA and is fully integrated into Natixis CIB

NGSI is Natixis CIB APAC's new innovation and technology hub and its center of expertise, delivering operational services (Global Financing Operations, Global Market Operations, Information Technology and other functions). NGSI supports the Natixis CIB Asia Pacific client experience strategy and ensures the agility of the APAC platform by focusing on innovative technological solutions to increase operational efficiencies, while building on its resiliency.

Through collaboration with Natixis Services in India, Natixis CIB Asia Pacific enhances its capabilities as a Lab to identify and implement emerging technology trends and innovative solutions.

Role Summary:

This is the apex leadership role for CIB Operations teams focused upon the APAC region from Natixis Bangalore. To succeed in this role, the incumbent will be required to demonstrate strong risk management mindset with a keen emphasis on client-centricity, multi-lateral stakeholder management, execution focus and the willingness to act as a catalyst towards continuous improvement as well as strategic transformation of the functions which (s)he oversees.

A large part of this role requires people management and the ability to mobilize an organization of 150-200 people (including external staff) through effective delegation, the ability to inspire and drive accountability and a strong framework of operational metrics (OKRs/KPIs/KRIs). A culture of inclusion, excellence and outcome-oriented meritocracy is the desired working environment, which this individual will be primarily responsible for envisioning, creating and developing.

Key Result Areas:

The key result areas of this role require the incumbent to cover all aspects of functional/operational risk, people and culture, process improvement/transformation and client/stakeholder management, while demonstrating exemplary leadership capabilities. This means true co-ownership with functional leaders APAC for topics related to the operational delivery of the functions as well as the development of the human capital in these teams. In addition, this will also require alignment of goals with the business objectives of the platform. These are further detailed below:

Risk and Control:

• Manage and decrease operational risk by deploying a global control framework, including metrics and methods of root cause analysis to proactively identify, measure, report and remediate risk hot-spots and ensure controls are suitable and effective
• Responsible for ensuring that business operations functions are conducted in a safe and efficient manner, with proper management of resources, in compliance with rules and regulations

Transformation:

• In sync with local CEO and regional COO strategies, driving the transformation of the operating model, pushing digitalization, industrialization and reaching a high level of automation, defining and implementing the best location strategy to maximise synergies and risk mitigations.
• Champion the mindset of continuous improvement and operational excellence using methodologies, tools and frameworks such as Lean Six Sigma, Agile etc
• Initiate innovative/disruptive ideas and initiatives in partnership with the Head of CIB IT Bangalore that can bring operations to the next level in terms of operating model, efficiency and risks management. Such ideas/initiatives must have global outreach and be scalable as much as possible
• Collaborate with COO CIB APAC Management team members on strategic and transversal projects in APAC and ensure alignment with strategy of the function

People and Culture:

• Supervise recruitment, development, retention, and organization of all Bangalore Operations staff in accordance with corporate budgetary objectives and employee policies
• In conjunction with the regional functional heads, directly responsible for the continued upskilling, retention and development of the specific heads of the functions which are located in Natixis Bangalore

Leadership:

• As part of the Natixis Bangalore Management Committee and a member of the APAC COO CIB Management Committee, the individual in this role is expected to contribute to the regional strategy of the APAC COO CIB and COO GFS departments as well as the regional strategy of the Natixis Bangalore platform ensuring a strong partnership with peers, business and central function stakeholders in the region and globally
• As APAC COO CIB management committee member, (s)he will be expected to contribute to the definition and implementation of the COO CIB Strategies, on Operations, First Line Risk Management, (s)he will be responsible to lead transversal objectives on behalf of APAC COO CIB.
• Engage the various teams involved in the Transformation/Strategic roadmap in the successful delivery of the initiatives and projects
• Operate without appreciable guidance from others, but act a clear role model within the team
• Remain knowledgeable of market and industry trends, competitors and regulatory developments and act as a key industry representative in relevant industry forums for Natixis Bangalore

Client and Stakeholder Management:

• Create strong and active partnerships with front office and other support functions (within and across platforms) aligned to ensure consistent delivery of the most appropriate level of service
• Responsible for supporting the global and local business strategy, growth and client expectations.
• Identify, promote and supervise implementation of ideas to improve our processes addressing our 3 main challenges : Reduce time to market, increase client satisfaction, retain existing business and develop new business according to our strategic plan.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree educated, minimum 15 years of relevant experience. MBA (or equivalent post-graduate education) from a reputed institution is preferred
• Hands on experience with managing teams in a global environment and the ability to operate in a matrix international organization in the Banking, Financial Services, Insurance (BFSI) or similar sectors
• Established track record of robust operational management, transformation at scale and efficiency improvement programs
• Self-awareness with confidence to work independently and take responsibility for own development
• Achieved targets and met expectations whilst supporting and encouraging others to do the same
• Excellent communication skills with fluency in English. French language proficiency is desirable but not mandatory