Executive Director, Head of Client Engagement, APAC

Job information:

• Functional title – Executive Director, Head of Client Engagement, Asia Pacific
• Department – Client Engagement
• Corporate level – Executive Director
• Report to – Chief Growth Officer
• Location – Hong Kong

  Responsible for the development and execution of the Asian business plan aimed at enhancing and deepening relationships, alongside elevating CLS’s focus on supporting growth in settlement risk mitigation in the region, deepening product penetration and contributing to and supporting, the wider group by representing CLS at the highest level to current and prospective clients, supporting education and interactions that ultimately drive increased growth in the region from buy- and sell-side clients. 

In line with this, the role specifically requires providing:

• Building and strengthening relationships with key Settlement Members in the region including local entities of Global Members in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. B
• Broadening the reach of CLS’s product suite across the region

 What you will be doing:

Strategic

• Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, support global strategy and growth plans and help drive local engagement across the region.
• Lead execution of the Asian business to ensure client engagement is optimized within the region.
• Ensure broad and deep connection across both local Settlement members and regional hubs of global members across the range of key stakeholders pertinent to CLS’s agenda to support settlement risk mitigation and deepen product penetration.
• Work with the relevant internal stakeholders to define engagement and relationship development with central banks and regulators as required to support day to day and business development plans in the region.

Operational

• Manage the office in Hong Kong ensuring management of all business practices, infrastructure and activity is compliant with risk, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Represent CLS in across APAC for market engagement activities.
• Ensure effective management of bank accounts and appropriate documentation for HK office and appropriate compliance with regulatory, risk and legal requirements. Ensure effective management of all local administration and finance such as payroll (outsourcing), local statutory reporting including taxes, physical security, local payment or control over local bank account as applicable for Hong Kong.
• Provide support to Regulatory Affairs in identifying potential regulatory issues across the region and assisting in their solution.

Leadership

• Act as a leader of CLS, driving client engagement and relationship development and supporting the broader CLS structure in their client activities, and motivate staff to build an enduring competitive position and contribution to CLS strategy.
• Act as the senior officer of CLS for the Asian region and ensure CLS’s profile and market support is optimized.

Effectively lead market and client engagement in Asia. Build strong relationships with the CLS community.

What we’re looking for:

• Extensive detailed working knowledge and experience of the FX market/value chain, financial markets generally, and the payments industry, including understanding of asset management, custody and nostro services.
• Ability to navigate diverse and nuanced market, management levels and institutions in the public and private sectors with knowledge and adeptness in dealing with Asian cultures.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and implement effective initiatives and client engagement strategies with a successful track record of deepening client relationships, supporting as an intermediary where required.
• Strong, relationship management and negotiation skills are essential, with experience of supporting others in educating on the use cases and benefits of complex products/solutions to sophisticated institutions.
• Proven experience leading, motivating and retaining a dynamic team.
• Ability to develop and mentor not only within team but throughout the organization, helping to drive higher levels of knowledge and performance.
• Understanding of risk from a market and client perspective and more specifically awareness of CLS’s position in the FX ecosystem and the relevant regulatory and risk considerations pertinent to an FMI.
• Long term proven success of leading a business / team in the region
• Significant experience managing in a fast-paced, change oriented Financial Services environment. Experience in relationship management and business building.
• Experience of working at the executive level in a global financial institution
• Understanding of key clients especially member organizations and connectivity in Australia.

Communication:

• Excellent presentational and interpersonal communication skills, both written and verbal, and ability to operate in multiple cultures.
• Ability to build consensus and to influence both internal and external stakeholders.

Leadership:

• Possess gravitas and the ability to operate effectively at the highest levels of an organization and be perceived as a partner to the business leaders.
• Adaptable and inclusive leadership approach appropriate to diverse culture and region, balancing collaboration with the need for independent decision making required in remote regional role.
• Ability to champion and drive execution of initiatives at a distance from HQ to garner support across time zones and jurisdictions independently.
• A talented professional manager who is rigorous in follow-through, with good attention to detail. A capable, effective, and fair delegator. 

Acumen:

• Adept at assessing emerging developments and markets and at deciphering ambiguity in emerging policy development. Strong ability to interpret and articulate impact of these developments in context of CLS strategy.
• Strong analytical, thinking and reasoning skills, demonstrated through decision-making and influencing skills at macro- and micro-level, paired with excellent judgment.

Motivation:

• Focused and results-oriented; strong ability to support others in their business building efforts.
• High ethical standards and a profound sense of integrity and confidentiality.

Professional qualifications / certifications

• University Degree (B.A./B.S)
• Graduate Degree (M.S./M.B.A/J.D./PhD);
• Industry experience in one or more of payments, cash clearing, funds/custody and FX. Familiar with Asian markets and network of relationships