Head of Operations
EFG · Vaduz
General Info
- Department: Operations
- Work time Percentage: 100%
- Location: Vaduz
Our Company
EFG International is a global private banking group, offering private banking and asset management services. We serve clients in over 40 locations worldwide. EFG International offers a stimulating and dynamic work environment and strives to be an employer of choice.
EFG is committed to providing an equitable and inclusive working environment that is founded on the principle of mutual respect. Joining our team means experiencing a supportive environment, where your contributions are valued and recognised. We strongly believe that the diversity of our teams gives us a competitive advantage by fostering better decision-making and greater innovation.
Our Purpose and Mission
Empowering entrepreneurial minds to create value – today and for the future.
We are a private bank, offering personalised solutions on a global scale to private and institutional clients. Our sustainable success is based on our talents and on how we partner with our clients and communities to create lasting value.
Job Description
As Head of Operations at EFG Bank von Ernst AG, you will lead the local Operations function and ensure the efficient, compliant and timely execution of all operational activities across payments, securities, credit cards, client transfers and reconciliations. Operating at entity level, you will translate Group operational and regulatory requirements into robust local processes and controls, safeguarding the integrity of client and account data in the core banking system and subsystems.
You will manage a small team of Operations and Account Documentation Unit (ADU) employees, acting as the primary interface between the local Front Office, Group Operations, Group Tax Services and local Compliance on all operations-related matters. In this leadership role, you will drive operational excellence, oversee the implementation of new regulatory and infrastructure changes, and ensure that local practices consistently meet internal policies, procedures and applicable regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Operational leadership and service delivery
- Lead the day-to-day execution of local operational activities (including payments, client transfers, corporate actions, credit card loading, trade execution and reconciliations) to ensure timely, accurate and compliant processing in line with Group-wide standards operated by Group Operations in Switzerland.
- Direct and coach the local Operations team to deliver high-quality service to the Front Office, effectively allocating resources and prioritising workload to meet cut-offs, service levels and regulatory deadlines.
- Act as the primary contact and escalation point between local front employees and relevant Group Operations sub-functions, resolving complex operational issues and ensuring smooth, timely and accurate execution of all transactions.
Client and account data integrity (ADU oversight)
- Own the local relationship with the Account Documentation Unit (ADU), overseeing client and account data management in the core banking system and its subsystems, including Client Pricing & Service Management, e-banking administration and the technical opening and closing of client relationships.
- Ensure that all ADU-related processes, including client static data, pricing conditions and e-banking access, operate with appropriate controls to maintain data quality, reduce operational risk and support regulatory compliance.
Regulatory, tax and compliance alignment
- Collaborate closely with Group Tax Services and local Compliance to ensure proper tax reporting, including FATCA, QI, CRS and other local tax reporting requirements, and to address complex or escalated tax-related operational issues.
- Monitor adherence of local operational activities to internal policies, procedures and applicable regulations, identifying control gaps, initiating remediation actions and escalating material issues to the local COO and relevant control functions.
Change, projects and continuous improvement
- Drive the local implementation of new regulatory and operational requirements (e.g. instant payments and other regulatory-driven changes) in partnership with the Group COO function and Group Operations, adapting local processes, controls and documentation as required.
- Support local and Group projects impacting Operations by representing the local entity, providing subject-matter input on operational requirements and constraints, and ensuring that project outcomes are embedded into local processes.
- Identify and implement process improvements and efficiency gains within local Operations and ADU activities, leveraging Group standards where possible and proposing enhancements to Group Operations where local experience highlights improvement opportunities.
Risk management, incidents and audits
- Manage operational risk within the local Operations perimeter by overseeing reconciliations, break resolution and incident management, ensuring timely escalation and follow-up of significant operational errors or near misses.
- Lead local readiness and implementation for major regulatory or infrastructure changes affecting Operations (such as the introduction of instant payments or market-driven changes to clearing and settlement), coordinating with Group COO, Group Operations, IT and local stakeholders.
- Represent local Operations in cross-functional working groups and projects that impact operational processes, systems or client service (e.g. new product launches, system upgrades and process re-engineering), ensuring that operational risks and requirements are appropriately addressed.
- Coordinate local contributions to Group-wide operational initiatives and reviews (such as standardisation programmes, efficiency drives and control enhancements), providing feedback on feasibility and local impact.
- Oversee local operational aspects of regulatory or internal audits within the Operations and ADU perimeter, coordinating information requests, responding to findings and driving agreed remediation actions.
Requirements and Qualifications
Education
- Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics or equivalent professional experience in banking operations.
- Preferred: Advanced degree or specialised qualification in banking, operations, risk management or a related field.
Professional experience
- Minimum 10+ years of experience in banking operations within a private banking or broader financial services environment.
- Demonstrated experience in leading operations teams and managing end-to-end processes across payments, securities processing, reconciliations and client documentation.
- Proven track record of working with Group or centralised Operations functions and successfully implementing Group standards at local entity level.
- Experience in operating within a regulated environment, with direct exposure to audits, regulatory reviews and remediation activities.
Technical and functional knowledge
- Strong knowledge of private banking operational processes, including payments, client transfers, corporate actions, credit card processing, trade execution and reconciliations.
- In-depth understanding of client and account documentation processes, including client static data, pricing conditions, e-banking administration and technical account opening/closing.
- Solid understanding of tax reporting requirements relevant to the entity, including FATCA, QI, CRS and local tax reporting, and their operational implications.
- Familiarity with internal policies, procedures and control frameworks governing operations and client data management, with the ability to design and enhance controls where needed.
- Proficiency with core banking systems and subsystems used for client and account data, payments, securities and reconciliations; comfortable working with data and operational metrics.
Leadership and behavioural competencies
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, develop and retain a small, high-performing team in a dynamic environment.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently with Front Office, Compliance, Tax, IT and Group Operations.
- Structured, solution-oriented mindset with a high level of accountability, attention to detail and a strong focus on risk awareness and client outcomes.
- Entrepreneurial, hands-on approach, comfortable taking ownership, driving change and challenging the status quo to improve efficiency and control.
- Fluency in German and English; additional languages are an asset.
Our Values
- Accountability: Taking ownership for tasks and challenges, as well as seeking continuous improvement
- Hands-on: Being proactive to rapidly deliver high-quality results
- Passionate: Being committed and striving for excellence
- Solution-driven: Focusing on client outcomes and treating clients fairly with a risk-aware mindset
Partnership-oriented: Promoting collaboration and teamwork. Working together with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Please ensure to attach a cover letter to your CV when filling the application.
As Head of Operations at EFG Bank von Ernst AG, you will lead the local Operations function and ensure the efficient, compliant and timely execution of all operational activities across payments, securities, credit cards, client transfers and reconciliations.