FX Operations Head Senior Vice President - Japan Markets Operations

Citi Japan is seeking a Senior Vice President to lead FX Operations across Japan Markets Operations, taking full ownership of trade settlement, risk control, regulatory compliance, and team leadership within one of the world's most active FX markets. This is a senior operations leadership role - not a trading or front office position - sitting within Citi's global Operations – Transaction Services function and working in close partnership with trading desks, treasury, risk, and technology teams. You will set the operational direction for FX processing in Japan, drive improvements that directly impact settlement quality and efficiency, and ensure the function operates to the highest standards of control and compliance.

In addition to leading FX Operations, the role carries senior-level oversight of Large Payments Control, ensuring timely and robust management of significant outgoing payments and contributing to the development of risk reduction strategies for payments and funds movement across teams and regions. This includes a key role in supporting the Payments Governance and Control Framework, participating in global Operating Committee decisions, and acting as part of the Markets Ops LAPC (Large & Amended Payments Control) BAU support team, which handles payments data analysis, identifies and documents payment flows for new or modified products, and ensures robust daily payment disposition processes.

Responsibilities

FX Operations

• Direct the end-to-end FX operations function in Japan Markets Operations, with accountability for trade capture, confirmation, matching, and settlement across spot, forwards, swaps, NDFs, and options.
• Manage multi-currency payment and settlement flows, coordinating with counterparties, custodians, and internal teams to resolve discrepancies and maintain strict adherence to cut-off times.
• Monitor and manage operational risk across the FX settlement lifecycle, implementing controls that reduce settlement risk, counterparty risk, and FX exposure in line with internal frameworks and regulatory expectations.
• Ensure full compliance with Japan's Financial Services Agency regulations and international FX reporting obligations, including JFSA, EMIR, and Dodd-Frank transaction reporting requirements.
• Identify and deliver process improvements that measurably reduce operational costs and increase settlement efficiency — including continuous improvement of Straight Through Processing (STP) rates — working alongside technology teams to automate workflows and enhance system capabilities.
• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing FX operations team, providing clear direction, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
• Act as a strategic partner to front office, treasury, risk, IT, and external stakeholders — including liquidity providers and clearing houses — to coordinate operational planning and resolve complex settlement issues, cultivating strong relationships through active participation in working groups, steering committees, and workshops.
• Investigate trade breaks and failed settlements, escalating risk and control matters with transparency and ensuring all reporting meets the standards expected at Senior Vice President level.

Large Payments Control & Payment Strategy

• Hold senior approval responsibilities for Large Payments Control, ensuring robust and timely control management for large payments leaving the firm.
• Provide input into the broader payments and movement of funds risk reduction strategy, with both a cross-regional and cross-functional focus.
• Partner with and support the Payments Governance and Control Framework within Markets Operations, including providing input into global Operating Committee decisioning.
• As part of the Markets Ops LAPC BAU support team, own payments data provision and analysis, and the identification and documentation of new or amended product payment flows, ensuring robust processes and procedures for daily payment dispositions.
• Review the suite of payments controls and suggest changes to uplift the risk profile across the Organisation and its products; drive standardization and harmonisation of controls across regions and teams.
• Determine the impact of SOX and MCA (Manager Control Assessment) activities on payments processes and any required updates.
• Conduct root cause analysis of payment-related operational risk events, propose solutions, and identify any remaining gaps requiring further attention.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide Risk/Business Analyst and Project Management support for global projects related to payments and funds movement, focusing on identifying and documenting regional activities.
• Identify applications involved in payment and funds movement, assess their control environments, and prioritize improvements based on risk.
• Support Operations Subject Matter Experts in defining key business requirements for payment and funds movement flows, including identifying and documenting crucial data elements within processing systems to enable rule-based controls for managing large and unusual payments.
• Manage individual project responsibilities, including setting milestones, managing tasks and actions, coordinating efforts, and executing plans within deadlines and stakeholder expectations.
• Support and manage ad-hoc business queries and requirements.
• Proactively identify and manage project risks, escalating issues as needed.

Required qualifications & skills

• 10 or more years of experience in FX operations, securities settlement, payments/funds movement risk management, or as a Risk-focused Business Analyst/Program Manager within financial services, at a senior level.
• Subject matter expertise in at least one core area of FX or securities operations — such as settlement, risk control, or regulatory compliance — with the ability to lead across multiple disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of Markets Operations businesses/functions; familiarity with payments/movement of funds workflows and controls is highly beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority workstreams concurrently in a time-critical, high-risk environment, working independently with strong attention to detail, without compromising accuracy or control.
• Analytical capability applied to operational problem-solving, with experience using data to identify gaps, validate solutions, and clearly document findings and solution proposals.
• Effective project management and negotiation skills, including the proven ability to lead conference calls, prepare meeting agendas and materials, and produce minutes, with a record of leading cross-functional initiatives and engaging senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational skills, self-motivation, and a proactive approach.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and process mapping tools.
• Native-level Japanese language proficiency, with the ability to operate fully in Japanese across all internal and external interactions.
• Advanced English communication skills — sufficient to actively participate in global calls, present complex operational topics, and hold your position in challenging discussions with international stakeholders.
• Valid Japan Securities Dealers Association (JSDA) qualification.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant discipline.
• A curious and inquisitive mindset, with a willingness to ask questions, challenge existing processes, and seek out answers.

Beneficial skills & qualifications

• A Master's degree in finance, business, or a related field.
• Senior or advanced-level experience within FX or derivatives operations at a global financial institution.
• Knowledge of Japan-specific regulatory requirements, including direct experience engaging with the Financial Services Agency or local compliance teams.
• Experience leading system migration, automation, or technology integration projects within an FX processing environment.

What we offer

Joining Citi at Senior Vice President level means taking on a role with real strategic weight — leading a critical operations function, influencing how FX is processed across Japan, and contributing to a globally connected team that values performance, precision, and professional growth.

• A hybrid working model of 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely, designed to support both collaboration and flexibility.
• Senior leadership ownership of a business-critical function, with the authority and scope to shape operational strategy and drive meaningful change.
• Direct access to Citi's global network, connecting you with peers and senior leaders across markets, regions, and business lines worldwide.
• Learning and development support tailored to senior professionals, including cross-functional exposure and visibility with senior leadership across the organization.
• A performance-driven environment where operational excellence, sound risk management, and team leadership are recognized and rewarded.
• Competitive financial wellbeing and benefits package aligned to Citi's global framework for senior-level professionals.

Apply now to lead FX operations at Senior Vice President level and shape the future of settlement excellence across Japan Markets Operations at Citi.

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Job Family Group:

Operations - Transaction Services

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Job Family:

Securities and Derivatives Processing

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Time Type:

Full time

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Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

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Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

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