Operations Manager: Level 1 – Shared Services (Banking / Financial Services / Fintech)

Our client is a South African shared services entity providing operational support. The environment is highly structured and regulated, supporting cross-border payments and financial operations, with a strong emphasis on:

• Operational accuracy
• Control frameworks
• Auditability
• Process discipline

Role Overview

The Operations Manager (Level 1) is responsible for overseeing and executing day-to-day payment and operational processes, ensuring all transactions and workflows are accurately prepared, validated, and escalated within a maker-checker framework.

    

This is a hands-on, execution-focused role, not a strategic or approval-based position. The role ensures that operational processes run efficiently, with strong controls, visibility, and consistency.

    

Job Type: Full Time/Permanent

Location: South Africa

Workplace: Onsite
Working Days: Sunday – Thursday (non-negotiable)

 

Requirements

• 5–8 years in Payment operations, Banking operations , Fintech or financial services operations
• Experience managing or overseeing operational workflows or small teams preferred
• Ability to speak French an added advantage
• Strong understanding of: Payment flows (fiat and/or digital assets advantageous) and Operational controls and reconciliation processes
• Exposure to high-volume transaction environments
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Operational ownership mindset
• Strong process and control orientation
• Ability to manage workflow, prioritisation, and deadlines
• Structured problem-solving and escalation skills
• Hands-on and execution-focused
• Comfortable in a high-control environment
• Strong sense of accountability
• Not purely strategic—must be willing to be involved in day-to-day operations

  

Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute daily payment operations (fiat and/or digital rails where applicable)
• Ensure accurate transaction preparation, validation, and processing
• Monitor operational workflows and track transaction progress
• Perform first-level checks and controls across payment activities
• Identify, investigate, and escalate discrepancies or operational issues
• Maintain complete audit trails and operational records
• Support reconciliation processes and ensure breaks are identified early
• Coordinate with internal teams (finance, compliance, treasury) for smooth operations
• Support process improvements within a controlled framework

   

Control Framework

• Operates strictly at Level 1 (execution and oversight layer)
• No authority for: Transaction approvals, Financial sign-off and Regulatory or compliance decisions