Senior Manager, Securities Services Operations (VP) – Okinawa
The Senior Manager – Securities Services Operations (VP) is responsible for operational management, functional execution, and local site governance for Citi's Securities Services Operations in Okinawa, Japan. As a strategic operational hub, the Okinawa site supports core functional domains across the securities lifecycle: Account Opening, Billing, Transaction Management, Client Service, and Asset Services.
This role provides on-site management and local governance across multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring robust risk controls, regulatory compliance, seamless trade settlement, high-quality client service, and ongoing process optimization. Additionally, this position champions digital enablement and AI-driven productivity to optimize operational workflows in coordination with Tokyo leadership, regional partners, and trading desks.
Key Responsibilities
- Local Site Governance & Leadership: Provide operational leadership and local site governance for the Okinawa office; serve as on-site escalation lead for daily operations, supervisory controls, and Business Continuity (COB).
- Multi-Functional Operations Management: Direct and supervise end-to-end processing across key functional pillars:
- Account Opening: Manage onboarding, static data setup, account maintenance, and documentation review.
- Billing: Oversee fee calculation, invoicing, reconciliation, and payment collections.
- Transaction Management: Supervise trade matching, securities/derivatives settlement, and fail resolution.
- Client Service: Drive query resolution, client satisfaction, and operational support for institutional clients.
- Asset Services: Oversee mandatory/voluntary corporate actions, income processing, proxy voting, and tax withholding.
- Risk, Controls & Compliance: Ensure full compliance with Japanese regulatory standards (FSA/JSDA), internal policies, and Manager's Control Assessment (MCA); proactively identify, escalate, and resolve operational risks and control issues with transparency.
- Client & Stakeholder Management: Partner with trading desks, branch offices, regional/global product leads, and external institutional clients to evaluate service quality and resolve complex operational inquiries.
- Process Improvement & AI Enablement: Drive straight-through processing (STP), digital transformation, and workflow automation; identify opportunities to integrate enterprise AI tools to enhance operational efficiency, streamline reporting, and reduce manual touchpoints.
- Team Leadership & Development: Supervise, mentor, and develop a high-performing operations team in Okinawa; foster a culture of continuous learning, digital upskilling, and adherence to ethical standards.
Qualifications & Competencies
- Experience: 6–10+ years of relevant experience in Custody Operations, Securities Services, or Financial Markets Operations, including direct people management experience.
- Functional Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of multi-functional operations: Account Opening, Billing, Transaction Settlement, Client Services, and Asset Services / Corporate Actions.
- AI & Digital Proficiency:
- Proficiency in leveraging enterprise AI tools and digital productivity assistants to streamline workflows, research complex issues, and support data-driven decision-making.
- Experience integrating AI solutions and automation into day-to-day business processes to drive efficiency, accuracy, and operational innovation.
- Strong critical thinking skills to evaluate and validate AI-generated outputs, ensuring high quality, accuracy, and compliance with data security and responsible AI standards.
- Licensing / Registration: Required or preferred licensing/registration (e.g., JSDA Class 1 / Internal Control Manager) as required by entity role.
- Communication & Languages: Strong bilingual written and verbal communication skills in Japanese and English to support local site governance and regional/global stakeholder coordination.
- Leadership Skills: Proven track record in operational governance, risk management, issue escalation, change management, and team coaching.
Education
- Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor's Degree / University degree or equivalent experience.
- Advanced Degree: Master's degree preferred.
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Job Family Group:
Operations - Transaction Services------------------------------------------------------
Job Family:
Securities and Derivatives Processing------------------------------------------------------
Time Type:
Full time------------------------------------------------------
Most Relevant Skills
Please see the requirements listed above.------------------------------------------------------
Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.------------------------------------------------------
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