Client Services Manager

We are looking for a Client Services Officer to join the Private Banking team of a Paris headquartered European bank, part of one of the largest banking groups in the Arab world, on a 12-18 month fixed term contract.

This opportunity would ideally suit a client focused professional who is organised, detail oriented and confident supporting high net worth clients and relationship managers in a fast paced private banking environment.

Candidates should have at least 6-10 years of experience in Private Banking, Client Services, Banking Operations or a related field. Fluency in French and English is required, and Arabic would be a strong advantage.

Job Purpose

• The Client Services Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day running and oversight of the Client Services team (two people), coordinating and allocating work across the team.

The role provides administrative and operational support to the Private Banking and Corporate & Institutional Banking teams, ensures adherence to the department's control framework and established procedures, and supports projects impacting the Client Services function.

Principal Accountabilities and Duties

• Team Leadership: Provide day-to-day oversight and management of the team, ensuring client service standards are maintained, and the team acts in line with the relevant regulatory codes of practice. Distribute client instructions for processing and take part in the full range of processing activities.
• Client Servicing: Handle clients' general account and banking queries by telephone, in person, post or e-mail. Submit static data amendments to the outsourced services team and provide copy statements and vouchers as required.
• Transfers & Payments: Validate client transaction requests from customers and the Private Banking team (4-eyes check), verify funds and bank details, and authorise occasional and permanent transfers for payment via the outsourced services team. Payment types include SEPA (SDD and transfers), TARGET, SIT, international currency transfers, cheque cashing and Visa.
• Internal Entries & SWIFT: Pass entries for internal client fund transfers and bank fees, initiate SWIFT messages to other Arab Bank Group entities and the USD correspondent, and handle direct debit rejections.
• Accounting & Reconciliation: Input, integrate and regularise accounting entries in the core banking system (Equation). Reconcile internal accounts and Nostro accounts at end of day and month, and resolve discrepancies promptly, keeping management informed.
• Reporting & Controls: Complete FICOBA reporting, including registering account openings and closures on impots.gouv.fr. Perform daily, weekly and monthly controls in line with procedures, and sort and archive documents.
• Projects & Process Improvement: Contribute to projects led by Client Services or Private Banking Relationship Management, recommend process improvements and keep procedures up to date. Maintain knowledge of private banking products and provide cash office cover for the main cashier.
• Risk & Compliance: Comply fully with the Bank's regulatory requirements (AML/CFT, KYC, fraud management and complaints handling), execute controls to reduce the risk of error, fraud and non-compliance, and escalated any procedural failures or new risks to Risk, Compliance and management.
• Financial Crime: Act as a member of the Bank's first line of defence, carry out LCB-FT checks in line with procedures and report unusual or suspicious activity promptly to the Line Manager and MLRO.
• Training & Business Continuity: Complete all role-specific and regulatory training on time. Cover Private Banking middle office tasks and mail and courier handling, and carry out activities required under departmental continuity plans.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• Banking Experience: Solid banking experience within a client services or payments department, ideally including supervising or coordinating a team.
• Banking Systems: Direct experience with platforms such as Equation, CMOD, Vbank or FICOBA.
• Payments Knowledge: Practical knowledge of SEPA, TARGET, SIT, SWIFT and cheque clearing processes.
• Financial & Accounting Skills: Able to process banking transactions and reconciliations accurately and in line with internal controls.
• IT Proficiency: Strong IT skills, with a high level of confidence across the Microsoft Office suite.
• Accuracy: Rigorous, with exceptional attention to detail across financial transactions, records and client documentation.
• Languages: Professional fluency in English.

Behavioural Skills Required

• Team player.
• Able to manage priorities.
• Control-minded