Directorate Overview
The 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) manages the settlement of the Bank's securities and fixed income operations. We provide securities custody and settlement services for a wide 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.
Job Description
This role offers an exciting opportunity to join the Market Settlements Team (MST) within the Central Banking Operations Division (CBOD) and develop expertise in some of the Bank's core financial operations. The advertised role supports the timely and efficient settlement of securities and other transactions in support of the Bank's own foreign currency reserves, and those of HM Treasury - making this a great opportunity to understand a wide range of products, policies and schemes implemented by the Bank. The jobholder will have knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: collateral management, securities settlement, asset servicing or derivative products. The jobholder will also have a mixture of operational and change management responsibilities. They will utilise their knowledge and experience to provide advice and guidance on operational issues, and work with the analysts in support of changes to processes.
There will also be opportunities to engage with new and exciting projects and change initiatives, working closely with a number of teams across the Bank such as the front office trading desks, middle office and operational risk. In addition to business-as-usual operational responsibilities, we encourage innovation and new ideas to how we approach our processes, so you will be in an area where you are able to make a real difference.
Main Job Role Responsibilities
*Daily Operations Management: to ensure the timely and efficient settlement in accordance with industry and legal deadlines.
*Being a source of Technical Expertise in all aspects of the team's work: acting as a guide and mentor to team members, providing support to the team and in investigating and resolving operational issues.
*Change Implementation: assisting with the implementation of change initiatives that both impacting business operations and systems use. This includes completing requirements for change, testing, and reviewing test output.
*Management Information: produce and present management information on the values and volumes of work processed by the team, including analysis to identify trends and key drivers in the data.
*Operational Excellence: identifying and driving forward improvements within the team as well as promoting a culture of continuous improvement amongst team members.
*Relationship Management: work closely with clients and custodians, representing the team at internal and external meetings, and maintaining and improving working relationships.
About You
A strong candidate will demonstrate most of the following essential attributes 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, with on-the-job training provided.
Minimum (Essential) Criteria:
*Securities Settlements Experience: knowledge and experience in securities settlements, collateral management, asset servicing or derivative products.
*Organisational Skills: strong organisational and workload management skills, including the ability to switch between tasks and deadlines when necessary.
*Accuracy: ability to work accurately and to tight operational deadlines.
*Interpersonal Skills: strong interpersonal skills, able to interact effectively with other teams at junior and senior levels, including external stakeholders.
*Problem Solving: able to problem solve, including the identification of issues and in providing resolutions or recommendations.
*Adaptability: positive attitude to change and ability to see how actions/changes impact on other areas.
*Technical Proficiency: confidence in the use of Excel and other Microsoft products.
*Learning and Development: strong desire to learn and develop new skills.
Desirable Criteria:
*Project Experience: experience in projects and delivering change.
*System Knowledge: working knowledge of one or more of the following systems: EasyWay, Xact, OpenLink, T24, SWIFT Alliance.
Our Approach to Inclusion
The role you are applying for has a pay and development framework in place. This includes a starting salary of £39,360 with the opportunity to progress after approximately 18 - 24 months, contingent upon acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to transition to the experienced level. The framework will provide clarity on the skills to be developed and our expectation is that all staff who invest in their development will achieve this pay progression.
This role 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 will not affect the value of benefits, performance award or pension contribution.
We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate.
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 Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom. Sometimes known as the “Old Lady” of Threadneedle Street, the Bank was founded in 1694 with a founding charter that stated its purpose was to “promote the public good and benefit of our people”.
The Bank of England’s purpose today reflects that vision first articulated by our founders. Our mission: to promote the good of the people of the United Kingdom by maintaining monetary and financial stability.
Workplace Initiatives
Program for parents returning to work after Parental Leave? |
We have a returner's session they can attend and our Parent's Network also run a separate returners session. |
Leadership development programs? |
Yes |
Mentoring programs? |
Yes |
Coaching programs? |
Yes |
Employee-led diversity networks? |
Yes |
Internal women’s networking groups? |
Yes |
Open to discussing flexible work arrangements at interview stage? |
Yes |
No. of weeks paid maternity leave at full salary: |
26 weeks |
Minimum weeks tenure required to be eligible for paid maternity leave: |
26 weeks service at the Qualifying week (15th week before due date) |
No. of weeks paid paternity leave at full salary: |
2 weeks |
Minimum tenure required to be eligible for paid paternity leave: |
26 weeks service at the Qualifying week (15th week before due date) |
Gender pay gap reporting information 2019 (UK): |
|
Mean pay gap: |
20.20% |
Median pay gap: |
23% |
Mean bonus (performance award) gap: |
21% |
Median bonus (performance award) gap: |
22% |
Signatory of the UK Women in Finance Charter? |
Yes |
Targets to raise the number of women in leadership? |
Yes |
Targets to raise the number of BAME individuals in leadership? |
Yes |
Listed in the Bloomberg Diversity & Inclusion Index? |
No |
Returner Programme
We recognise that there is a large untapped talent pool of experienced professionals on a career break, including many high-calibre women who have taken time out of their careers for a variety of different reasons. As part of our inclusion agenda, the Bank is partnering with Women Returners, a specialist return-to-work organisation, to run the Bank of England Career Returners Programme to attract and support returning professionals, with coaching and training support provided by Women Returners and the possibility of a permanent role at the end of the programme.
Applicants will have to go through a short assessment process in order to gain a role. Applicants must have had a career break of two or more years to be eligible for the programme. All returners who gain a position will receive coaching support from Women Returners to help them transition back in to the workplace. The returners will be taking on real live budgeted vacancies – they are not specifically created roles. Flexible working options will be available, though we would ask that all returners attend the full induction.
Testimonials
" I had never thought about working in the public sector. I genuinely can’t remember why I decided to go to the Career Returners launch event at the Bank but it was literally life changing. I realised there was a place where I could work in financial services and still be able to care for my children. This was hugely different from when I was in investment banking. I was also very impressed by the level and quality of people in the Bank. I doubt I wouldn’t be working today if it was not for the programme – it is as simple as that."
"I’m not sure I would have come back to work in the City if I hadn’t have found something like this. Having young children and a long commute, I knew I wouldn’t find the flexibility I needed in the investment banking industry that I used to work in. Finding this scheme gave me the prospect of working part-time and flexibly without giving up on interesting and challenging work."
Working for The Bank of England
As a place of work, the Bank feels different from other organisations. The atmosphere is relaxed but professional, research-driven and connected to real events in the economy. While organisations in the private sector are focused primarily on profits, our objectives are the quality of our thinking and analysis.
Whichever area you join, it’s likely you’ll work on high-impact projects. The issues we deal with on a daily basis are often in the news, and affect everyone in the country. For many of our people, contributing to the public good is one of the most rewarding aspects of working here.
Our historic building is located in the heart of the City and combines rich tradition with up-to-date facilities. Just as important, a strong culture of support exists in the organisation.
The Bank is a member of the Disability Confident scheme. This means that applicants who declare a disability and who meet the minimum requirements of the job description are fast-tracked to the first stage of assessment.
The Bank also encourages Diversity of Thought, which inspires colleagues in every area to share different ways of thinking, working and achieving success. The aim of this is to promote creativity and encourage diverse approaches by inviting people with different backgrounds, skills or talents to present their thoughts and ideas.
In order to promote and support diversity in all its forms, we also have a number of Employee Networks:
LGBT+ AND ALLIES NETWORK
The LGBT+ and Allies Network is fully inclusive and open to every member of staff. This includes people who may not identify as LGBT+ themselves, but who actively support their LGBT+ colleagues, and promote a working environment where everyone – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – feels safe and confident to be themselves.
We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and participate in the Workplace Equality Index most years. In 2018, we moved up 101 places in the index – a huge improvement in one year. Working with Stonewall, we are committed to improving LGBT+ diversity and inclusion even further.
DISABILITY NETWORK
The key objective of the Disability Network is to identify and remove barriers so that people with disabilities can achieve their full potential at the Bank. As well as supporting individuals with specific employment issues, the network organises events for all employees to raise awareness of the full range of disabilities and the challenges facing those who live with them.
MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK
This network is focused on improving people’s understanding of mental health issues. As well as highlighting the support available to colleagues, it organises and sponsors events to combat the stigma around mental health. In doing so, it aims to ensure that anyone affected by mental health issues – either directly or indirectly – feels more inclined to open up and seek help earlier.
WOMEN IN THE BANK NETWORK
The Women in the Bank Network aims to ensure that all women can flourish in the workplace. It’s open to everyone, regardless of gender, focusing on identifying and tackling issues that can hold women back in their professional development and job satisfaction.
Although we still have a way to go, our efforts to address the imbalance between male and female employees have already achieved considerable success. Of around 1300 staff here, 43% are women with 33% at Governor level.
BEEM NETWORK
BEEM was established to inform, inspire, advocate and promote Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) related matters in the Bank. As well as ensuring BAME staff experience the same performance reviews, rates of pay and development opportunities as non-BAME colleagues, BEEM is committed to addressing the imbalance of BAME representation at a senior management level.
MUSLIM NETWORK
The Muslim Network connects and supports Muslim colleagues throughout the Bank, ensuring no one ever has to compromise their religious obligations or spiritual needs in order to excel in their professional role. As part of this, the network also organises events and activities to mark important Islamic celebrations and bring people together throughout the year.
JEWISH NETWORK
The Jewish Network is here to support all Jewish colleagues across the Bank, and help them celebrate and raise awareness of their shared faith. The network is proud of its inclusivity and welcomes members from all denominations and beliefs, including Orthodox, Conservative, Progressive, Cultural and Atheist Jews, as well as those who are not affiliated.
CHRISTIAN UNION
The Christian Union is open to Christians of any (or no) denominational background, as well as colleagues who don’t consider themselves Christians but are interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Its members regularly come together to study the Bible, pray, talk and socialise, with a focus on their faith and how it influences their work and everyday lives.
CARERS NETWORK
Whether it involves looking after someone with chronic illness, disability or mental health issues, an elderly relative or young children as part of a family, being a carer can be tremendously rewarding. But it’s also extremely demanding. The Carers Network provides the information, advice and support colleagues need to balance that responsibility with a successful career.