Sr. Director - Operations & Settlements

Job Title:

Senior Director – Operations

Location:

Kuwait Industry: Investment Reporting To:
Managing Director

The Senior Director – Operations is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing and managing the entire Operations function of the organization. The role ensures that strategic initiatives are effectively translated into efficient day-to-day operational execution while supporting the company’s overall business objectives, governance standards, and growth strategy.

The position plays a critical role in driving operational excellence, strengthening internal controls, managing financial and operational risks, and ensuring smooth coordination across investment operations, treasury operations, settlements, custody, banking relationships, and back‑office functions. The role requires strong expertise in financial markets, operational governance, treasury management, and regulatory compliance within the investment or banking sector.

• Lead and manage the organization’s Operations function, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and business objectives.
• Contribute to the company’s long‑term strategic planning and operational roadmap in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Drive operational efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
• Identify opportunities to enhance profitability, optimize operational performance, and mitigate operational and financial risks.

• Oversee the full end‑to‑end operations and back‑office framework, ensuring strong controls, accuracy, efficiency, and service quality.
• Ensure operational processes, policies, procedures, and controls are properly designed, implemented, and continuously improved.
• Monitor daily operational activities and ensure adherence to KPIs, SLAs, governance frameworks, and compliance standards.
• Ensure seamless coordination and communication across internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Oversee treasury operations, funding activities, settlements, remittances, and financing‑related transactions.
• Manage relationships with banks, brokers, custodians, and financial institutions.
• Supervise account openings, custody arrangements, cash management activities, and NOSTRO account reconciliations.
• Ensure prompt resolution of reconciliation breaks and maintain tight control over organizational cash positions.
• Oversee operational execution of investment transactions, trade settlements, and customer‑related transactions.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies, and governance standards.
• Maintain and enhance operational policies, procedures, authority matrices, and internal control frameworks.
• Lead business continuity planning (BCP) and disaster recovery (DR) testing initiatives.
• Ensure readiness for internal audits, external audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Support risk management initiatives by identifying operational risks and implementing corrective measures.

• Oversee operational handling of IPOs, rights issues, dividends, and other corporate actions.
• Ensure all market events are executed accurately and in compliance with regulatory and exchange requirements.
• Maintain strong working relationships with regulators, exchanges, custodians, and external stakeholders.

• Manage departmental budgets, workforce planning, and resource allocation.
• Monitor operational costs and identify efficiency improvements.
• Escalate operational or financial concerns with actionable recommendations to senior management.

• Lead, mentor, and develop high‑performing operational teams.
• Drive organizational change initiatives and encourage digital transformation and process automation.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master’s degree or professional certifications (MBA, CFA, CPA, FRM, CISI, etc.) preferred.
• Minimum 15+ years of experience in Investment Operations, Treasury Operations, Banking Operations, or Capital Markets.
• Proven leadership experience within investment companies, banks, or financial institutions.
• Strong understanding of treasury operations, settlements, custody, reconciliations, and financial instruments.
• In‑depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks, governance, operational controls, and risk management.
• Experience managing relationships with regulators, banks, custodians, and financial institutions.