Operations Manager - Investment Banking Tokyo

A prominent global investment bank is establishing a new securities entity in Tokyo and is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to build and lead its local operational framework from the ground up.

As a founding member of the Japan Operations team, you will work directly alongside Fixed Income and Securities Financing sales professionals, taking responsibility for client onboarding, KYC/AML, trade processing, settlements, post-trade operations, and operational infrastructure.

This is a broad, high-impact opportunity for an experienced investment banking or securities operations professional who wants to move beyond a narrowly defined operational function. You will establish workflows and operating procedures ahead of formal licence approval, coordinate with regional and global teams, and build the local Operations function as the Japan business expands.

The position also offers a clear opportunity to develop towards Head of Operations as local market activity and headcount grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a founding member of the local Operations team, working directly with sales professionals to manage client onboarding and operational execution.
• Partner closely with Fixed Income and Securities Financing sales teams to manage end-to-end client onboarding, KYC/AML processes, and post-trade lifecycle support.
• Oversee daily trade processing, allocations, confirmations, and settlements across fixed income and repo/securities financing products.
• Take ownership of operational processes throughout the transaction lifecycle, ensuring accurate and timely execution.
• Serve as the primary operational lead during the Japan setup phase, establishing workflows, implementing systems, and designing operating procedures ahead of formal licence approval.
• Develop scalable operational processes and infrastructure to support increasing transaction volumes and future business growth.
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Risk, IT, and international regional hubs to ensure operations align with Japanese regulatory requirements and global institutional standards.
• Apply knowledge of Japanese financial market infrastructure, JSDA requirements, and local clearing and settlement processes to the development of the new operating model.
• Identify operational risks, process gaps, and implementation requirements during the establishment of the securities entity.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing Operations team as market activity and local headcount increase.
• Support the broader development of the Japan business by providing operational expertise across trade support, regulatory setup, and business infrastructure.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• 5+ years of Operations or Middle Office experience within an investment bank or securities firm in Japan.
• Strong experience with investment banking or securities operations, including trade processing, confirmations, settlements, or post-trade support.
• Experience supporting Fixed Income, repo, securities financing, or related institutional financial products.
• Experience with institutional client onboarding and KYC/AML processes.
• Deep understanding of Japanese financial market infrastructure, JSDA regulations, and local clearing and settlement systems.
• Experience collaborating with functions such as Sales, Legal, Compliance, Risk, and IT in a regulated financial services environment.
• Ability to establish operational workflows, processes, procedures, and controls in a new or evolving business environment.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Soft Skills:

• Ability to operate independently and take ownership in a standalone position within a lean team during the initial setup phase.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to design and implement operational processes from scratch.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify operational risks, gaps, and practical solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills when working across local and international teams.
• Ability to communicate effectively with institutional clients, internal stakeholders, regulators, and global teams.
• Adaptability and versatility to manage a broad operational scope in a growing organisation.
• Leadership capability with the potential to build, mentor, and manage a local Operations team as the business expands.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Business to Fluent level
• English: Business to Fluent level, spoken and written

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting the establishment, expansion, or operational transformation of a securities or investment banking business in Japan.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of Fixed Income and Securities Financing Operations.
• Experience designing new operating models, workflows, controls, and procedures.
• Experience working with regional or global Operations teams within an international financial institution.
• Previous experience helping to build or scale an Operations team in Japan.

About the Company

Our client is a global financial institution with a strong international presence across investment banking, capital markets, and wealth management.

As part of its continued international expansion, the organisation is establishing a specialised securities entity in Tokyo. The Japan operation will connect local institutional market requirements with the firm's established international banking and capital markets capabilities.

This creates a distinctive opportunity for an experienced Investment Banking Operations Manager to join during the establishment phase and play a direct role in designing the operational infrastructure supporting the firm's long-term growth in Japan.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Ground-floor opportunity: Join as a foundational member responsible for establishing the Operations function of a major international bank's new Tokyo securities entity.
• Clear career path: Opportunity to progress towards Head of Operations as the Japan business, transaction activity, and Operations team expand.
• Broad operational scope: Gain end-to-end exposure across client onboarding, KYC/AML, trade support, settlements, regulatory setup, and operational infrastructure.
• Work directly with Fixed Income and Securities Financing sales professionals and international stakeholders.
• Build operational workflows, processes, and systems rather than inheriting a narrowly defined existing function.
• Develop and eventually lead a local Operations team as the business scales.
• Work within a global investment banking and capital markets platform while helping establish its presence in Japan.
• Benefit from remote/WFH options, flex time, and casual clothing.
• Receive competitive compensation.

Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!