Banking and Securities Operations Senior Operative

£31,200 yearly
Full Time Banking

Job Description

Directorate overview

Banking Directorate supports the Bank's mission to maintain monetary and financial stability by developing and operating resilient and efficient banking, payment, settlement, and custody services in support of our strategic customers and our market operations.

We are at the heart of the Bank both in terms of our core role in monetary and financial stability, and the wide range of internal and external stakeholders we work with. The variety and immediacy of the work we do means we are one of the most outward facing and fastest moving areas, acting as the 'bank within the Bank' for the UK government, CCPs and other central banks, as well as our own market operations.

Department overview

The Central Banking Operations Division (CBOD), within the Banking Directorate, manages the settlement of the Bank's securities and fixed income operations. The teams within CBOD provide securities custody and settlement services for a range of customers including the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) and foreign central banks, whilst also performing the settlement of the Bank's official Sterling and FX market operations and of the UK's foreign currency reserves (the Exchange Equalisation Account), as Agent on behalf of HM Treasury.

Role Description

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join the Central Banking and Operations Division (CBOD). This role offers an exciting opportunity to develop knowledge and gain expertise in some of the Bank's core financial operations. The role supports the timely and efficient settlement of securities and critical operational processes - making it a great opportunity to develop a good understanding of a wide range of products, policies and schemes implemented by the Bank.

There will also be opportunities to work closely with several other teams across the Bank such as the front office trading desks, middle office and operational risk.

The main responsibilities of the role are:

  • Monitoring and settling daily securities operations, including the processing and settlement of a range of fixed income, repo, reverse repo and derivative products.
  • Management of asset servicing and providing custody services for the Bank's customer base.
  • Being a source of knowledge in securities settlements and in the operational team's work, both as part of business as usual but also in emergency and contingency scenarios.
  • Resolving issues and queries that regularly arise on the team during the day-to-day operations.
  • Supporting change initiatives impacting business operations, including the testing of small change.
  • The jobholder will be expected to identify and implement improvements to existing processes to reduce risk and / or improve efficiency.

About You

A strong candidate is likely to be able to demonstrate the following essential criteria and experiences. The successful candidate does not need to be a technical authority in all areas from day one; a proactive approach to learning and developing is key. We are looking for potential and a willingness to learn and will provide on the job training.

Minimum (Essential) Criteria:

  • Minimum 18 months operational experience in securities settlements, including knowledge in at least one of the following systems: CREST, Easyway, Xact, T24 and SWIFT.
  • A keen interest in the Bank's facilities and settlement operations and how they work in practice.
  • Strong workload management, including the ability to identify, prioritise and switch between tasks and deadlines.
  • Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal.
  • Able to work with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously.
  • Good attitude and ability to problem solve.
  • A positive attitude to change.
  • A good level of IT literacy and confidence in the use of Excel and other Microsoft products

Desirable Criteria:

  • An understanding of change and the implementation of change in an operational area.
  • Previous experience in collateral management.
Our Approach to Inclusion:
The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.
At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it's by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we'll continue to make the best decisions for the public.
For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.
Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the 'Candidate Personal Information' under the 'Disability Confident Scheme' section of the application.

Salary and Benefits Information

This role offers a fixed starting salary of £31,200.

As this role is operational overtime will be paid when required e.g. if there is a need to cover EOD tasks, it also currently benefits from an additional Banking Operators Allowance - This is a non-pensionable cash amount equivalent to £4,000 per annum for full time employees, pro-rated for part-time staff in accordance with their working pattern. This will be paid in equal monthly instalments and will be subject to tax and national insurance. It is paid in addition to base salary and any overtime will not affect the value of benefits, performance award or pension contribution.

In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:
  • Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/50th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
  • A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
  • A 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
  • 26 days' annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
  • Private medical insurance and income protection.
National Security Vetting Process
Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice.

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.
The Application Process
Important: Please ensure that you complete the 'work history' section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It's therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.
This role closes on Mon 31st March 2025.

Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.