Senior Operations Manager (Exchange House)

Transguard Workforce Solutions is the UAE’s leading provider of unique and innovative HR solutions. With a decade of experience in the region and a team that possesses extensive knowledge of the market, we provide a fully integrated HR solution.We are currently recruiting a Senior Operations Manager (Exchange House) for our client to be based out of their Abu Dhabi Office.Purpose-Lead the Central Operations function and own the end-to-end integrity of the transaction lifecycle from initial verification and authorization through funding, settlement, amendment, cancellation and query resolution. Ensure every transaction file is executed accurately, within cut-off, and in full compliance with CBUAE regulations and the Company’s AML/CFT, KYC and sanctions framework, while managing correspondent bank relationships at the operational level and protecting the Company from financial, regulatory and reputational risk.Responsibility-Verify and authorize transaction files against supporting documentation prior to release, confirming completeness and accuracy of remitter and beneficiary data, currency, value date, approved limits and daily cut-off times.Own the daily funding cycle: consolidate branch requirements, coordinate USD and multi-currency funding with correspondent banks, and confirm value-dated settlement within agreed timelines.Direct the team’s handling of amendments, cancellations, returns and recalls with correspondent banks; ensure each case is tracked to closure with root cause recorded and recurring causes eliminated.Act as the operational decision point for exceptions and escalations from branches, resolving queries within committed service levels and escalating to the COO where risk or value thresholds are exceeded.Ensure monthly rebates, commissions and charges from correspondent banks are received, reconciled and reported; investigate and escalate variances to Finance and the COO.Ensure timely confirmation of customer deposits from branches and oversee coordination with cash-in-transit providers and vendors on any cash discrepancy, ensuring documented resolution and recovery.Monitor operational performance against defined measures — turnaround time, error and rejection rates, straight-through processing, aged unresolved items — and take corrective action where standards are not met.Skills-Bachelor’s degree in commerce, Banking, Finance or a related discipline. A professional certification in AML/Compliance (e.g. CAMS) or payments/treasury operations is an advantage.Minimum 12 years’ experience in exchange house or banking operations, of which at least 5 years in a supervisory or managerial role leading a processing or settlement team.Demonstrated working knowledge of CBUAE regulations applicable to exchange houses, AML/CFT and KYC requirements and sanctions screening obligations.Practical experience of SWIFT messaging, correspondent banking arrangements, nostro funding and reconciliation, and remittance platforms.Proven people management experience, including performance management of a team of comparable size.Excellent written and verbal communication in English; Arabic is an advantage.