Head of Digital Assets Operations, MSS

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HSBC Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB) is a markets-led, financing-focused business that provides investment and financial solutions. Within CIB, Securities Services provides robust and reliable solutions that help clients mitigate risk and enhance their business performance. Working with institutional investors, banks, insurance companies, governments, and multinational corporations, this team covers fund administration, global custody, sub-custody and clearing, and corporate trust and loan agency services.

Role Purpose

We are seeking a strategic and delivery‑focused Head of Digital Assets Operations to establish and lead the end‑to‑end operational model for digital assets across Markets & Securities Services. This role will create and coordinate a new capability – in many cases leveraging a virtual organisational model across existing Operations teams – to support digital assets and tokenised products from onboarding through post‑trade, settlement, custody, reconciliation, lifecycle and reporting.

The successful candidate will:

• Design and implement the target operating model for digital assets operations (including process, controls, systems and organisational design).
• Ensure safe, efficient and scalable support for digital assets activities across asset classes and business lines, with a particular focus on risk, control, client service and regulatory compliance.
• Partner closely with Product, Trading, Technology, Legal & Compliance, and Digital Assets leadership to ensure that new digital asset initiatives (including tokenisation, DLT/Blockchain platforms, CBDCs and digital currencies) are operationally robust and aligned to MSS strategy.
• Build and oversee a virtual network of subject matter experts across existing Operations teams, supplemented where necessary by dedicated resources, to deliver a consistent global service for digital assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Target Operating Model for Digital Assets Operations
• Operating Model Design & Virtual Organisation
• Risk, Control & Regulatory Compliance
• Process, Platform & Technology Enablement
• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration
• People Leadership, Culture & Capability Building
• Financial & Commercial Management

Qualifications & Experience

Extensive experience in Markets and/or Securities Services Operations, with a strong track record in leading complex, cross‑product operational change.

Proven experience designing and implementing target operating models and large‑scale transformation programmes in a global bank or financial market infrastructure.

Deep understanding of the end‑to‑end trade lifecycle for capital markets products (e.g. FX, fixed income, equities, structured products) and/or securities services (custody, fund services, agency services).

Demonstrated knowledge of digital assets and related technologies (e.g. blockchain/DLT, tokenisation, digital custody, smart contracts, digital/crypto currencies, CBDCs) and their implications for operations, risk and control.

Strong familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to digital assets, client assets, safekeeping, AML/sanctions and operational resilience.

Proven ability to develop and lead high-performing virtual teams and matrix organisations, aligning diverse stakeholders around a common operating model.

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including the ability to influence senior leaders and articulate complex operational issues in business terms.

Desirable Skills

• Experience establishing or leading digital asset, crypto or tokenisation operations in a bank, market infrastructure or institutional digital asset firm.
• Experience in securities custody, asset servicing and collateral operations for institutional clients, particularly as they relate to digital or tokenised assets.
• Working knowledge of wallet technologies, key management, chain analytics and related control frameworks.
• Prior engagement with regulators, central banks or industry bodies on digital assets, market infrastructure or operational resilience topics.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to assess new digital business models and translate them into practical, controlled operational solutions.
• Demonstrated change leadership, with the ability to bring teams on the journey through clear vision, communication and delivery discipline.

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