Apply (opens in new window)

Discover your future at Citi

Working at Citi is far more than just a job. A career with us means joining a team of more than 230,000 dedicated people from around the globe. At Citi, youll have the opportunity to grow your career, give back to your community and make a real impact.

Job Overview

Citi1001902

Markets Operations

Citi is looking for a senior operations leader to take ownership of securities and derivatives settlement across fixed income, equity and cross-border markets within its Japan operations, as a Securities Operations Manager in Markets Operations team. This role sits at the heart of a function that directly underpins Citi's global network, ensuring the seamless and compliant processing of a broad range of financial products for institutional clients worldwide. You will lead a specialist team, shape operational strategy, and serve as a key point of accountability for settlement quality and risk management across the Japan markets business.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of Securities Operations professionals in Japan, setting clear performance standards and building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement strategic objectives for Japan Securities Operations, ensuring alignment between local business priorities and global Markets Operations goals.
• Oversee end-to-end settlement and post-settlement processes for equity and fixed income products, including pre-matching, settlement instructions, fail management, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Monitor daily reconciliation processes and drive timely resolution of breaks, exceptions, and discrepancies, while optimising workflows to improve Straight-Through Processing rates.
• Manage the operational risk profile for Japan Securities Operations, maintaining robust controls and ensuring strict compliance with applicable regulations including those set by the Financial Services Agency, the Japan Securities Dealers Association, and the Bank of Japan.
• Maintain strong working relationships with equity and fixed income trading desks, sales teams, institutional clients, custodians, and external counterparties, acting as a trusted operational partner.
• Identify and lead operational improvement initiatives, driving efficiency gains, cost reductions, and strengthened controls across the settlement function.
• Coach and develop junior and mid-level team members, sharing expertise across settlement procedures and operational best practices.

Required qualifications & skills

• 10 or more years of progressive experience in securities and derivatives operations, with a clear record of leadership within a global investment bank or major financial institution in Japan.
• Fluency in Japanese, both written and verbal, is essential for this role.
• Strong business-level English, both written and verbal, is required to communicate effectively with regional and global stakeholders.
• JSDA Class 1 (Sales Representative Qualification) is a mandatory requirement.
• Deep knowledge of equity settlements, fixed income products, and investment trust funds across international and/or Japanese domestic markets.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operational environments, lead process improvement, and deliver measurable efficiency and control outcomes.
• Solid grounding in operational risk management frameworks and the Japanese financial regulatory landscape.

Beneficial skills & qualifications

• Experience managing teams within banking or financial institutions, with exposure to both domestic and cross-border securities markets.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for operational data analysis and senior-level reporting.
• Hands-on experience with back-office settlement applications and systems used within global financial institutions.
• Internal Control Manager qualification (Naibu Kanri Sekininsha)
• A master's degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field.

What we offer

At Citi, senior operations leaders have the scope to make a real difference overseeing critical market infrastructure, influencing strategic direction, and working within one of the most globally connected financial institutions in the world. This role offers genuine ownership, access to Citi's global network, and the opportunity to shape how securities operations are delivered across the Japan market.

• A hybrid working model, with 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely, providing flexibility alongside team connection.
• Strategic ownership of a high-profile operations function, with direct influence over process design, team direction, and risk outcomes.
• Exposure to global collaboration across regional and international stakeholders, expanding professional networks at scale.
• Access to learning and leadership development programmes supporting long-term career growth within a global organisation.
• A performance-driven environment where your decisions have direct impact on settlement quality, client satisfaction, and operational resilience.
• A competitive financial wellbeing and benefits package commensurate with the seniority and scope of the role.

Apply now to lead a critical securities operations function at Citi and bring your expertise in settlement and risk management to a role with genuine global impact in the Japan market.

Working Environment: office setting, minimal travel required.
Effort: minimal physical effort required.

------------------------------------------------------

Job Family Group:

Operations - Transaction Services

------------------------------------------------------

Job Family:

Securities and Derivatives Processing

------------------------------------------------------

Time Type:

Full time

------------------------------------------------------

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

------------------------------------------------------

Other Relevant Skills

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

------------------------------------------------------

Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi( opens in new window).

View Citis EEO Policy Statement( opens in new window) and the Know Your Rights( opens in new window) poster.

Apply (opens in new window)