Senior Vice President - Middle Office

Our client, a leading international securities firm, is seeking a Senior Vice President, Middle Office & Client Onboarding to lead and support the continued growth of its retail and institutional businesses in Hong Kong. This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing client onboarding, KYC/AML controls, and operational excellence across the client lifecycle.

Unlike a purely managerial position, the successful candidate is expected to remain hands-on in day-to-day client onboarding activities, providing guidance on complex cases while actively supporting operational delivery, risk management, and process enhancement initiatives. The role will also lead a team of onboarding professionals and work closely with business, compliance, and technology stakeholders to drive ongoing process and system improvements.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Operational Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team responsible for client onboarding, KYC reviews, account opening, and client lifecycle management activities.
• Maintain active involvement in day-to-day onboarding operations, providing oversight and support on complex onboarding cases, escalations, and client acceptance decisions.
• Monitor team performance, service standards, and onboarding turnaround times to ensure efficient delivery and a high-quality client experience.
• Allocate resources effectively and drive continuous improvement across onboarding processes and controls.
• Foster a strong culture of compliance, accountability, and client service excellence.

Client Onboarding & KYC

• Oversee and perform end-to-end client onboarding, KYC, CDD, and EDD reviews for retail, institutional, and wealth management clients.
• Act as the subject matter expert for complex onboarding cases involving corporate structures, beneficial ownership analysis, source of wealth reviews, and high-risk client relationships.
• Ensure onboarding and account opening activities comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and risk management standards.
• Lead periodic reviews, trigger event reviews, remediation exercises, and client record maintenance activities.

AML & Regulatory Compliance

• Conduct and oversee AML/CFT assessments in accordance with SFC regulations, HKMA AML guidelines, FATF recommendations, and internal compliance policies.
• Review sanctions screening, PEP reviews, adverse media findings, and other client risk assessments.
• Escalate and manage higher-risk cases in collaboration with Compliance and senior management where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with FATCA and CRS requirements, including client classification, documentation review, and regulatory reporting obligations.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner closely with Front Office, Compliance, Legal, Operations, Technology, and regional stakeholders to facilitate effective onboarding while maintaining robust controls.
• Provide advisory support to business stakeholders on onboarding requirements, regulatory obligations, and risk considerations.

Projects & Process Transformation

• Lead and contribute to strategic initiatives aimed at improving onboarding efficiency, scalability, and client experience.
• Drive enhancements to CRM, KYC, and digital onboarding platforms, including workflow automation, process optimization, and data quality improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with Technology and Operations teams on system implementations, platform upgrades, and business transformation projects.
• Support the development of management reporting, operational metrics, and process governance frameworks.

Policy & Governance

• Review and enhance onboarding policies, procedures, and operating manuals to ensure alignment with business and regulatory requirements.
• Identify control gaps, operational risks, and process inefficiencies, and implement appropriate remediation measures.
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory examinations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Law, or a related discipline.
• Professional qualifications such as CAMS, ICA, ACAMS, or equivalent certifications are preferred.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in Client Onboarding, KYC, AML Operations, Middle Office, or Client Lifecycle Management within a securities firm, investment bank, private bank, wealth management firm, or other regulated financial institution.
• Mandatory experience in retail client onboarding, including account opening, customer due diligence, client documentation review, and lifecycle management activities.
• Proven experience handling institutional and corporate client onboarding would be highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience managing, leading, or mentoring onboarding/KYC teams.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • SFC regulatory requirements
  • HKMA AML/CFT Guidelines
  • FATF recommendations
  • FATCA and CRS obligations
  • Sanctions screening and PEP review processes
• Extensive experience conducting complex KYC reviews, beneficial ownership analysis, EDD investigations, and onboarding of higher-risk clients.
• Hands-on approach with the ability to manage team responsibilities while remaining actively involved in daily operational activities.
• Experience leading or playing a significant role in CRM implementation, CRM enhancement, digital onboarding, workflow automation, or client lifecycle transformation projects is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of virtual asset regulations, VASP licensing requirements, and crypto-related AML frameworks will be viewed favorably.
• Fluency in English and Chinese (Cantonese and/or Mandarin) is required.