Custody Services Specialist

Job Family

Career Stream

Leadership Pipeline

Job Purpose

To perform assigned custody operations accurately, on time and within approved controls across Client Services, Settlements, Corporate Actions. The role processes, checks, reconciles and follows through transactions, elections, entitlements, client instructions and related records within agreed service levels, market deadlines, internal procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. The specialist applies practical product and market knowledge to resolve routine exceptions, escalate complex or material issues and contribute to reliable client service, operational efficiency and continuous improvement. Verification, authorisation and release activities may be performed only where specifically delegated and consistent with segregation-of-duties requirements.

Job Responsibilities

•    Execute and oversee custody activities across Client Services, Settlements, and Corporate Actions, ensuring accurate processing, reconciliation, exception management, and compliance with market deadlines and control requirements.
•    Maintain the integrity of operational processes through effective validation, monitoring, record management, and delegated verification and authorization activities in line with governance standards.
•    Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, collaboration and coordination across the custody value chain.
•    Deliver exceptional custody service by providing accurate, timely and professional support across Client Services, settlements, corporate actions, while meeting agreed service levels and client expectations.
•    Provide accurate reporting and proactively manage operational risks and service impacts arising from transaction failures, delays, exceptions and market deadlines.
•    Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, legal, governance and control requirements while proactively identifying, managing and escalating operational and compliance risks.
•    Support a strong control environment through incident reporting, audit and assurance participation, remediation activities, and the protection of confidential client and business information.
•    Take ownership of assigned operational exceptions and queries, maintaining accurate status, actions, evidence and follow-up through to resolution or an accepted handover. Escalate matters outside personal authority and track dependencies without assuming accountability for decisions owned by other teams.
•    Drive continuous improvement by identifying operational inefficiencies, analysing data and trends, and contributing to enhancements that improve service delivery, controls, automation and operational effectiveness.
•    Leverage off approved technology, analytics and AI tools responsibly while supporting testing, change initiatives and the adoption of emerging industry and market practices.
•    Promote operational resilience and continuous capability development through knowledge sharing, training, documentation maintenance, cross-skilling, and participation in business continuity and recovery initiatives.

Role Outcomes

•    Accurate and timely completion of custody processing within service-level, market and client commitments.
•    Consistent execution of assigned controls and timely identification, investigation and escalation of operational, financial, regulatory, conduct and reputational risks within the role’s authority.
•    Reliable client and stakeholder service through clear communication, accurate information and follow-through of assigned requests, including effective handovers and escalation of dependencies.
•    Contribution to operational resilience through current process records, agreed cross-skilling, knowledge sharing and deployment within confirmed competence.
•    Practical contributions to process improvement and effective use of approved data, automation, digital and AI tools appropriate to assigned duties and training.

Essential Qualifications - NQF Level

Preferred Qualification

Relevant diploma or degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Financial Markets, Business Administration, Financial Management or a related discipline.

Preferred Certifications

Certification required for the assigned activity, market or regulatory environment, including Strate and/or JSE certification where applicable.

Minimum Experience Level

3 to 5 years of relevant banking, custody, securities services, financial markets, middle-office, client operations or transactional-processing experience. Appointment and deployment remain subject to role requirements and demonstrated competence.

Technical / Professional Knowledge

Behavioural Competencies