Associate Director, Technology and Operations (Maternity Leave Cover)
Job Description
Job title: Associate Director, Technology and Operations (Maternity Leave Cover)
Company: Association for Financial Markets in Europe
Job description: Job title: Associate Director, Technology and Operations (12 months – Maternity Leave Cover)
Reports to: Director, Technology & Operations
Division: Technology and Operations
Location: London
Role purpose: The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) is seeking to appoint a full-time Associate Director within the Technology & Operations Division. The position offers the candidate an opportunity to work closely with senior individuals at leading investment banks in the UK and European markets, to work on current developments, help influence and shape policy and analyse solutions that AI can provide for the Capital Markets industry.
As an Associate Director, you will have the opportunity to own key strategic projects across the division, in which you will deploy and develop subject matter expertise and work directly with AFME members as well as industry regulators and supervisors.
The Technology & Operations division manages key innovation themes such as Emerging Technologies (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Digital Assets, Cloud), Cyber Security and Data (Data sharing, Open Data/Finance, Data Protection). These topics are managed through working groups comprised of senior operations and technology leaders within the Capital Markets industry. You will have the opportunity to work alongside them on strategic initiatives of shared interest to AFME’s members designed to enable implementation of new technologies.
This role will primarily be focused on furthering AFME’s work on Artificial Intelligence (AI). You will work with members to drive opportunities for deployment of AI in capital markets by:
– Ensuring legislation is fit for purpose to support the use of technologies such as machine learning and general-purpose AI and assisting the Capital Markets industry with implementation of and compliance with upcoming AI regulatory requirements.
– Helping create good practices and standards for governance and management of AI within Capital Markets.
– Analysing how AI can be deployed in solutions to increase the efficiency of Capital Markets.
Within AFME you can expect to partner, where their agenda overlaps into the technology and operations arena, with teams from our other Divisions, these include: FX; Equities; Fixed Income; High Yield; Prudential Regulation; Post-Trade; Compliance; Control; Accounting and Advocacy.
You can also expect to work closely with our Media and Events teams, public policy professionals at our member firms, representatives from European institutions and regulators, and representatives from other trade associations including AFME’s sister associations GFMA, SIFMA and ASIFMA based in Washington, New York and Singapore, respectively, as well as other industry associations.
Key Accountabilities
Policy
· Closely monitor and assess technology legislative and regulatory developments, providing updates to members where relevant
· Own and deliver the drafting and submission of regulatory and consultation responses.
· Own and deliver the development of advocacy materials on key member issues.
Projects
· Manage strategic projects on AI, e.g. projects related to AI solutions in post-trade or the creation of standards and good practices in AI governance.
· Contribute to projects focused on e.g. data or quantum.
Meetings
· Support the division in engaging members, running meetings and workshops.
· Manage working groups and forums on AI.
· Attend and participate in key committee and WG meetings to build knowledge and relationships.
· Prepare briefing materials and facilitate advocacy and member meetings.
Research
· Monitor AI related developments at the UK, European, international and member state level and circulate emails to members updating them on key developments.
· Own and deliver specific deliverables including policy positions and research papers.
Team support
· Support and work in close collaboration with the Director on strategic and ad hoc requests.
· Attend team meetings, and as appropriate, contribute to the running and development of the Technology and Operations Division
· Develop and maintain relationships with members and assist with membership queries.
· Develop and maintain relationships with other trade associations.
· Attend and report back on industry forum meetings
Events
· Assist in preparing for and take part in activities for the annual conference
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential:
· A bachelor’s or advanced professional degree
· At least 3 years of relevant prior professional experience or longer in a financial services capital markets, consulting, or policy development organisation.
· Excellent written and spoken English, including public speaking.
· Intellectually curious and driven.
· Strong analytical, project management and personal organisational skills to keep work streams on track.
· Excellent communication skills.
· A willingness and ability to work as part of a team with minimal supervision.
Desirable:
· Knowledge of AI, including GenAI, its application in Capital Markets and potential opportunities and challenges with deployment of AI in financial services.
· Knowledge of current and emerging tech regulation in financial markets (such as the EU AI Act, the UK regulatory approach to AI).
· Second European language.
· Experience in project management and delivery.
All candidates are required to have the legal right to work in the UK and travel within the EU.