HornbyChapman

Markets & Initiatives x2 roles – Hong Kong / Singapore

paulchapman — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:59:39 +0000

Our Client provides a communications platform, products and services that enable customers to connect and exchange financial information securely and reliably. They currently have two openings in their Markets & Initiatives Asia Pacific team.

The team is responsible for driving the execution of the Asia 2015 strategic initiatives and supports the sales and relationship teams with product and market expertise in achieving revenue targets. The team works closely with the Asia Pacific sales, corporate affairs and consultancy teams towards an aligned set of objectives. The team is also the prime interface with the global Marketing organisation.

Head of Payments and Trade, Asia Pacific (HK or Singapore)

Annual base salary is around HKD970,000 to HKD1,390,000 or SGD154,000 to SGD220,000

Reporting to the Head of Markets and Initiatives you will lead you will be responsible for managing a small team of market experts across the region. You will define and drive the strategy for growing the payments and trade business in the region through increased market penetration and the successful launch of new products and services. You will ensure that strategic objectives are defined with clarity, that plans are in place to achieve them, that these are executed upon and that the sales and relationship teams get the ongoing support they need. You will also be the prime interface with the global Banking Markets function, ensuring that Asia Pacific plans are aligned with global market plans, and that the priorities of Asia Pacific customers are taken into consideration in the company’s global plans. You will be prime spokesperson for all matters related to payments, cash management, trade and supply chain finance in Asia Pacific, both internally and externally.

Requirements

Be able to demonstrate strategic leadership
At least seven years’ experience payments and/or trade finance services, preferably in a product management and/or sales role
The ability to define and articulate marketing and sales plans to support the strategy
The ability to succeed in a diverse, multi-cultural environment and across geographies and teams
Excellent interpersonal and networking skills including at senior management
The ability to lead and manage a team of experienced professionals
Asia regional experience is an asset but not required

Director, Securities Markets, Asia Pacific (HK)

Annual base salary is around HKD670,000 to HKD960,000

You will be responsible for defining and driving specific business development initiatives around market infrastructures, new products and services and traffic development. You will deliver and ensure the execution of the region’s strategy and plans to grow our market share and revenue from certain customer segments/products in the securities industry; manage projects and initiatives resulting in increased revenue and market share.

Requirements:-

Experience in the market
Strong relationship building and networking skills and a proven record of working in cross-functional teams and delivering complex commercial projects.
At least five years’ experience payments and/or trade finance services, preferably in a product management and/or sales role
The ability to define and articulate marketing and sales plans
The ability to succeed in a diverse, multi-cultural environment and across geographies and teams
Excellent interpersonal and networking skills including at senior management

If you are interested in either of these positions, and possess the relevant experience / requirements stated above, please submit your CV for consideration. For more information or to apply for this role please contact Liz Cleary on +65 6832 5507 or email liz@hornbychapman.com

Business Change Manager – Frankfurt

paulchapman — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:29:24 +0000

Salary: circa €60,000

Our client, a leading investment management and investment services company, is looking for a Business Change Manager for their operation based in Frankfurt.

The role is responsible for the delivery and implementation of client and client related projects through the provision of project management and analysis within project parameters and deadlines.

Managing projects (or phases of projects) which cover part or all of the full life cycle, this may include post implementation support and other specialist functions (e.g. Support Management, Release Management, Testing Management, Programme Office Management etc). The role involves maintenance of an accurate status of projects, ensuring resource effort is captured and reported in a timely manner and any issues and divergences from plans are escalated appropriately. The successful candidate will therefore require excellent project management skills and an extensive knowledge of project lifecycles.

Candidates must have considerable experience in the fund accounting / custody business with a proven ability to deliver within deadlines and manage client expectation. Fluent / advanced German and English language skills are also a requirement.

If you are interested in this position, and possess the relevant experience / requirements stated above, please submit your CV for consideration.

For more information or to apply for this role please contact Jo Line on +44 (0) 207 653 1911 or email jo@hornbychapman.com

CityAM – Attracting attention in your job hunt is a subtle science

paulchapman — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:46:52 +0000

Thursday 12th April 2012, 12:06am

Initial interest needs time and space to bloom and flourish

Tom Welsh

WHAT value is there in seeking attention? The practice has a bad reputation, known as part of the power-play of ill-disciplined little children. But in a competitive job market, where even the best must struggle to win over recruiters or potential employers, some argue that there’s virtue in trying to be noticed in the early stages of an application.

OfficeTeam, a subsidiary of Robert Half, a recruitment firm, recently released figures revealing that 54 per cent of job seekers would chase up unanswered applications within a week of dispatch. This certainly suggests that candidates are keen to stay on recruiters’ radars.

But is it too soon? Is attention-seeking and pushiness a sign of desperation rather than determination? As one recruiter explained, “there’s a very fine line to tread between an assiduous follow-up and stalking.”

PERSONAL RECOGNITION
Paul Chapman, managing director of financial recruitment specialists Hornby Chapman, waxes nostalgic for the old days of recruiting. “Someone would use his or her network, or a favoured recruiter, and would sit back and wait for a job.” Now, things are very different. Competition, fragmentation of where jobs are posted, and an excess of candidate supply over the number of jobs all mean applicants must try harder to gain notice.

Chapman thinks the first step should still be to make use of traditional routes like networking. “You need to know the firm you’re applying to, and be a known name to the people working there.” There are many shades of attention, and a “warm lead-in can circumvent difficulties and ease the process.”

THE CIRCULAR CV
But if only a cold approach is possible, and your first contact with your potential employer is via covering letter and CV, it is still possible to be distinctive. Again, this is a fine line. There are many shades of tone and behaviour between tedious and wacky. After seeing a candidate’s circular CV, Chapman recalls finding it “the perfect shape for a bin liner.”

Anelia Varela is creative director at The Writer, a business writing consultancy. She thinks that “people forget, when applying for a job, that it’s a competition.” CVs can be “lifeless documents,” and anyone injecting an element of personality carries a hallmark of distinction that can serve them well. She says “you don’t really need to do that much” to stand out, and her key recommendations are to avoid passivity, and to show rather than say. “People fall into that trap of saying they’re passionate and saying they’re confident, instead of writing passionately or confidently.”

An excellent and noticeable CV will also understand and appreciate the tone of a sector or firm. “Do some homework and get a sense of the culture and personality of the organisation,” Varela says. “Don’t play their own voice back at them,” but “show them what makes you an interesting person in a language and tone they will understand.” Chapman agrees – “I want to hire a human, not an automaton.”

ATTRACTION MAINTAINED
This goes for jargon, too. There is a place for industry terminology in an application and it can often demonstrate hard-earned expertise or relevant knowledge. But it shouldn’t be used as a proxy for demonstrating practical examples of that knowledge. It may look fine on paper, but Varela warns that “if you can’t imagine yourself saying it in an interview, just re-write it.”

Of course a personal recommendation or a professionally crafted CV are just the beginning. Once the recruiter’s appetite is whetted, he or she will need reassurance that it is worth satisfying, at interview or elsewhere. Attracting attention is not the same as maintaining it.

Gary Trueman, senior consultant at Stonewood Partners, cautions against over-eager follow ups. “If you haven’t heard from an application within a few days, it is likely you have not have been shortlisted.” Chapman reiterates this point. “A little nudge now and again can be useful, but it shouldn’t become pestering. A call once a week smacks of desperation and also a lack of interpersonal nous.”

This last point is crucial. Attention-seeking, both as a determination to attract notice and, as a way of prompting a quick response to your application, is a delicate science. Too little, and your suitability may be overlooked. But too much of it and you may just lose your credibility, professional weight, and put your application at risk.

Please click here to view the article on CityAM’s website

Prime Brokerage Client Services – London

paulchapman — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:05:12 +0000

Salary: Up to £120k

Our client is a leading international investment bank looking to grow its Prime Brokerage Client Service team.

This is an opportunity to join a growing team within one of the key revenue generating areas of the Financial Services Industry. Candidates must have either prior experience working within Prime Brokerage or a Hedge Fund or another client facing role in which they have gained a thorough understanding of operational processes and flows. Please only apply if you have 4 years plus hands on PB client service experience within Derivative, Fixed Income/Repo or vanilla Equity products.

For more information or to apply for this role please contact Liam Bolger on +44 (0) 7791 904220 or email liam@hornbychapman.com

Snr Manager WB T&O Controls X 2 (1 x Securities Services, 1 x Trade & Cash) – Singapore

paulchapman — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:57:26 +0000

Salary range is SG$150,000 -SG$240,000

Our client, one of the world’s leading international banks, is recruiting for 2x Senior Managers WB T&O Controls. One to be based in Securities Services, the other in Trade & Cash.

Job Purpose

Perform the following functions:

Drive proactive management of risks and controls globally across the WBO production Operations.
Establish proactive Key Control Indicators to provide early warning signals and predictive assessment.
Drive effective operational risk management on a global level. Collaborate by working with the product and country control resources to build ownership of control initiatives on the ground.
Leverage lessons learnt. Ensure appropriate remedial actions and control enhancements to minimise operational risk incidents and operational losses.
Ensure a continual drive towards automating control processes.
Develop risk reporting tools for trend analysis and adhoc reporting.
Effective relationship and key stakeholder management with the Global GTO Heads and Global teams.
Develop awareness of business changes, predict control challenges and identify control initiative opportunities to drive strategic direction / solutions.
Close liaison with group, WB, regional management and Ops Risk function to ensure consistency of execution and transparency of incidents.

Prerequisites

Degree holder in Financial, business or other related undergraduate degree.
Good understanding of industry standard processes within Operations.
Good interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills and a proven ability to work independently.
Must be self motivated and have a strong attention to detail
People management and leadership experience.
Experience of working in a multi product environment is preferred.
Experience in Operational Risk Management or similar assurance functions is essential.

If you are interested in this position, and possess the relevant experience / requirements stated above, please submit your CV for consideration. For more information or to apply for this role please contact Liz Cleary on +65 6832 5507 or email liz@hornbychapman.com

DerivSource

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:30:56 +0000

DerivSource is the online community and independent information source for professionals active in derivatives processing, technology and related services. Founded by a financial journalist, DerivSource provides industry news, analysis, educational resources and researching tools to help market participants keep well informed in this fast-paced industry. The content covers both exchange-traded and OTC derivatives.

Members rely on DerivSource for fresh angles on industry issues, expert market analysis and commentary as well as regular news updates and use of a range of educational resources. Our members represent a wide demographic including buy-side and sell-side financial institutions, derivatives law firms, transaction banking firms, fund administrators, consultancy firms and software vendors.

DerivSource is free to use for all industry participants. Users must first register to gain full access to the features and resources and to comment on articles.

In addition to our online content, DerivSource hosts various online events and Webinars on timely topics including OTC derivatives regulatory reform, central counterparty (CCP) clearing for CDSs, collateral management, counterparty risk management and OTC derivatives valuations. Registered DerivSource members gain significant discounts to all events hosted.

If you have questions, comments or would like to see our rate card for advertising, please email us at info@derivsource.com

Light at the end of the tunnel?

paulchapman — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:31:18 +0000

Following on from my last note, sentiment seems to be perceptibly improving in the market; roles are being raised, interviewed for and filled. Confidence towards the balance of the year is on the up – I’d suggest that Q2 will be better than Q1, and whilst summer will be quiet as it traditionally is, Q3 / 4 will be strong – at least I hope so! What are we currently looking for? Senior RMs, folks with consultancy backgrounds and senior salespeople are all in demand so if that’s you do get in touch.

The date for the Summer Williams has been announced – Thursday May 3rd starting at 4pm at the usual venue, the Williams Ale and Wine House on Artillery Lane. If you’re interested in attending do drop me a line and I’ll get you on the invitation list.

Finally, of those of you who know my fragrant wife Karen (ex-Nomura and BBH), she starts a new / additional career as a radio DJ next Tuesday March 13th at 11am when she hosts ‘Chatty Women’ – Loose Women for the radio – on EastCoastFM (weekly). If you can access it on the internet please do so and if you want to call in then again, feel free!

Market Update / We’re On The Move…

paulchapman — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:54:41 +0000

So Q1 is drawing to a close, and I detect an ever-so-slight uptick in sentiment in the market, with more offers being extended and more candidates keen to make a move. Firms’ Q1 results will have a major bearing on their confidence and ability to hire in Q2 and whilst I don’t see a wholesale lifting of freezes / chills (which are in place despite firms’ protestations to the contrary) until summertime, I do see firms appreciating that to try to do the same things with the same folks – at least in the sales area – may not be the best course of action. There are numerous buy-side mandates out there, be they for ‘traditional’ custody / fund accounting / fund admin mandates or outsourcing – and a fresh approach, or hiring someone with strong relationships with those firms – might be key to making a difference and winning the business. Additionally, as a general word of guidance to hiring firms, it doesn’t make sense to be ‘penny wise and pound foolish’ given the febrile nature of the market and the absolute benefits the right hire can bring. Hot areas at present? Alternatives, Asia generally and Prime Brokerage would be our top three and whilst we advertise most of our roles, for confidentiality purposes some we have to keep below the radar screen to if you are interested in a career discussion and market update / overview, do give us a call.

On an admin point, I’m pleased to say that as of March 1st we should be happily ensconced in our new home at Albert Buildings, 49 Queen Victoria Street (above Sweetings) which is three times as big as our current office and designed to accommodate our growing team who cover senior buy-side roles, Prime Brokerage and Risk and Compliance. Do feel free to call in if you happen to be passing…

Business Development & Account Executive – London

paulchapman — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:06:19 +0000

Salary: £80,000 – £120,000 plus bonus

My client, a successful provider of asset administration and custody services, is seeking a business development and account executive to help further grow their client base.

This role would suit an individual with experience of working in both asset administration and ideally in middle and front office roles. The successful candidate will have good knowledge of the asset management and funds industry in the UK, particularly in wealth management, and will be able to leverage an existing contact base in coming into the role. This is a client focused business offering tailored solutions where both technical and sales ability will be required.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following skills and qualities:

Excellent communication and presentation skills to be able to engage at C-suite level
Proven relationship and sales management skills in a similar role or organisation
Self starter who can work independently to develop new business relationships
Strong customer focus combined with dedicated team approach to successful delivery

This is a great opportunity in a dynamic and growing company, and the role offers a competitive remuneration package in line with experience.

If you are interested in this position, and possess the relevant experience / requirements stated above, please submit your CV for consideration. For more information or to apply for this role please contact Hazel Cameron on +44 (0) 7860 286 916 or email hazel@hornbychapman.com

Happy New Year! Gong Hey Fat Choy!

paulchapman — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:37:42 +0000

So a New Year starts – both in the UK and Asia – and with it fresh challenges? Well, not really; the Securities Services industry is still facing many of the issues which dogged it over the past few years; a low interest rate environment, a reluctance to invest heavily in staff or operations and a desire to cut costs wherever possible. On the bright side, they say ‘it’s always darkest before the dawn’ so my personal contention is that whilst we have a little way to go before we find rock bottom, there will come a time where confidence returns, firms invest and rates will rise and the first signs of change might come as early as Q3 this year. Asia remains relatively strong, especially for the indigenous and American banks there, whilst the European banks are burdened with Eurozone issues and their focus is hence somewhat distracted at present.

For those firms which are hiring, in terms of areas of demand, clients are still looking for experienced salespeople and change managers as well as people with solid strategic experience from a practical perspective, not necessarily just with a consultant background.

Gong Hey Fat Choy!