Foreground is partnering with a leading international bank to identify a seasoned Operations Manager for its Head Office in Jeddah.

This critical leadership role will oversee the full spectrum of banking operations within the Saudi market, ensuring seamless process execution, compliance with SAMA regulations, and alignment with the banks global operational standards. The ideal candidate will bring strategic oversight, hands-on process control, and strong people leadership to drive operational excellence in a regulated banking environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Oversight

• Manage end-to-end banking operations, including customer account management, payments, clearing, trade finance, treasury operations, and reconciliation.
• Monitor day-to-day activities to ensure adherence to internal policies, regulatory frameworks, and operational KPIs.
• Ensure strong controls are in place across cash handling, transactional accuracy, and risk mitigation.

Governance & Compliance

• Maintain full compliance with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) requirements, anti-money laundering laws, and global operational risk policies.
• Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring timely resolution of audit observations and implementation of corrective actions.
• Keep management informed of regulatory updates and advise on the operational implications.

Process Improvement & Automation

• Identify opportunities to optimize workflows, reduce turnaround time, and digitize manual processes.
• Lead or support systems enhancements and operational projects in coordination with IT, risk, and compliance teams.
• Implement and maintain business continuity procedures and internal control frameworks.

Team Management & Development

• Lead, train, and develop the operations team to meet performance targets while ensuring quality and service standards are maintained.
• Establish clear responsibilities, monitor team outputs, and ensure professional growth within the function.
• Foster a proactive and solutions-oriented culture within the department.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as a key liaison between operations and other internal stakeholders including Compliance, Risk, Relationship Management, Finance, and Technology.
• Provide insights to senior management regarding operational challenges, performance, and improvement areas.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Banking, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; a Masters degree or relevant certification (e.g., ACAMS, CISA, PMP) is an advantage.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in banking operations, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership or managerial capacity.
• Solid understanding of local and international banking regulations, especially within the Saudi context.
• Proven track record in managing cross-border operational environments, trade finance instruments, and treasury operations.
• Experience in process transformation, systems implementation, and stakeholder engagement in the banking sector.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision-making capabilities
• High level of operational discipline and risk awareness
• Excellent communication and reporting skills
• Ability to manage multiple functions and priorities under pressure
• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution skills