Head of Surveillance

Head of Surveillance - Financial Services
Location: London (Hybrid)
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits

A leading global financial services firm is undertaking a major strategic transformation of its Surveillance function and is looking to appoint a Head of Surveillance to support the continued enhancement of its programme. With substantial investment and board-level backing, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to work on a multi-year transformation programme and help shape the firm's global surveillance capability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Global Head of Surveillance Governance & Strategy in executing a global transformation programme running through to 2027

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the London-based surveillance team, acting as the point of escalation for key issues

• Manage and develop a high-performing team, ensuring alerts are reviewed with rigour and strategic insight

• Drive improvements in controls and processes, leveraging insights from alert reviews to implement effective surveillance enhancements

• Work closely with global surveillance leads across APAC, EMEA, and the Americas, ensuring alignment with group standards

• Support regulatory engagement, ensuring communication is structured, formal, and aligned with expectations

• Act as the second-in-command to the global head, deputising where required and helping drive long-term strategic direction

• Own your area of surveillance expertise (e.g., FX, Equities) with accountability and confidence, contributing to both operational and strategic outcomes

Candidate Profile:

• Strong background in surveillance within a financial services or investment banking environment

• Experienced people manager with a collaborative leadership style and a focus on building team capability

• Product knowledge across a range of asset classes is essential

• Strategic thinker with a structured, detail-oriented approach and strong written and verbal communication skills

• Comfortable managing upwards and engaging with senior stakeholders including regulators

• Experience with surveillance tools such as Smarts, Avenir, and Global Relay preferred

• Ability to adapt to a dynamic, agile environment while bringing a high degree of accountability and ownership

Why Join?

• Join a growing surveillance function (team has expanded from 8 to 20+ in under a year)

• Be part of a high-impact, well-funded transformation programme

• Operate in a business that values agility, ownership, and collaboration - with no offshoring

• Work with a forward-thinking leadership team committed to raising the bar on surveillance excellence

Please contact me with your CV for more information