Global Head of Custody Operations

Global Head Of Custody Operations

U.S. Bank is seeking a Global Head of Custody Operations. The individual in this senior leadership role will be accountable for the front-to-back operational integrity of the firm's custody and asset servicing platform. This individual leads a global team responsible for the efficient, accurate, and compliant safekeeping and servicing of client assets across multiple markets, currencies, and asset classes—including trade services, Mutual Fund execution support, securities settlement, Asset Servicing, Asset transfers, and Global Network Management.

Additionally, they will provide strategic oversight of the firm's sub-custodian network, ensuring effective market access, provider performance, operational resilience, and alignment to business and client needs.

Beyond running day-to-day operations, this leader is a driver of operating-model transformation: moving the function from end-of-day batch processing toward real-time, exception-based management, embedding automation and AI into core workflows, and strengthening resilience against a compressed post-trade environment. The role balances operational excellence, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and client experience while maintaining strong relationships with sub-custodians, CSDs, business stakeholders, clients, and regulators.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the operational strategy and strategic vision for custody operations, aligning with business goals, client commitments, and evolving regulatory requirements.
• Lead the transition from batch-based processing to real-time exception management, redesigning workflows to meet compressed settlement timelines (T+1 today; T+1 in the EU/UK/CH by October 2027).
• Drive digital transformation—leveraging RPA, workflow automation, cloud, AI-driven data intelligence, and ISO 20022 messaging—to raise straight-through-processing (STP) rates and reduce manual intervention.
• Evaluate emerging capabilities including DTCC modernization, asset custody and tokenization, and shape the firm's readiness posture as the market matures.
• Align the function to clear leadership pillars spanning client service, financial discipline, workforce strategy, operational resilience, and risk-controlled execution.

Operations Execution

• Oversee accurate and timely processing of securities settlements, corporate actions, dividend/income collection, proxy voting, and account reconciliation across global markets.
• Manage settlement fails, partial settlement, and CSDR penalty exposure through disciplined pre-settlement matching and affirmation practices.
• Ensure robust position keeping and safekeeping controls, including omnibus/segregated account structures and 100% asset segregation.
• Provide oversight of Global Network Management, including sub-custodian relationships, network governance, and market resiliency.
• Own the operational client experience, including service recovery, root-cause resolution, and disciplined management of significant client escalations.

Risk, Controls & Regulatory

• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, transaction, compliance, and credit risk within the custody business, maintaining a pristine control environment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and industry standards (OCC custody guidance, DTC/DTCC operational arrangements, CSDR settlement discipline).
• Own regulatory reporting obligations and support examinations, audits, and industry initiatives.
• Ensure operational resiliency through robust business continuity, disaster recovery, crisis management, and third-party contingency programs.

Performance & Metrics

• Monitor and refine KPIs and SLAs to track operational efficiency and effectiveness. Industry benchmarks typically include settlement accuracy ≥ 99.5%, corporate action processing 100% on-time, reporting accuracy ≥ 99.9%, STP rates, exception resolution times (minutes, not days), and settlement fail rates against industry standards.
• Use operational metrics, volume forecasts, productivity analytics, and capacity models to inform resource allocation, service commitments, and investment priorities.

People & Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing…