Security Operations Specialist

Security Services Operations SME - Reference & Master Data Management

Location: Edinburgh (Hybrid - 2 days on-site)

Contract Type: Permanent / FTE (1-Year Duration)

Rate: Market Standard

Business Division: Investment Banking - Operations / Security Services

Role Overview

We are seeking a Security Services Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) with deep experience in Reference and Master Data Management to support The Client's ongoing data transformation and governance initiatives. This role plays a key part in ensuring data quality, consistency, and process efficiency across global Security Services operations.

The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams-including Operations, Technology, Data Governance, and Product-to design, enhance, and implement enterprise-wide data models and workflows that underpin securities reference and client master data.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the SME for Securities Operations and Data Management, focusing on Reference Data (Instrument, Issuer, Counterparty) and Master Data (Client, Account, Legal Entity).
• Partner with Front Office, Operations, and Technology teams to define and optimize data models, hierarchies, and integration across trading, settlement, and custody systems.
• Lead or support data remediation, standardization, and migration activities within large-scale transformation programs.
• Develop and maintain data quality frameworks, controls, and monitoring for key datasets spanning multiple asset classes.
• Align reference data models with regulatory and business requirements (e.g., MiFID II, CSDR, SFTR) in partnership with enterprise architecture and the Chief Data Office (CDO).
• Provide insight into data lineage, dependencies, and usage across Security Services operational platforms.
• Drive process improvement and automation initiatives to enhance data accuracy and straight-through processing (STP).
• Support change management, including UAT execution, documentation, and training for global operations teams.
• Represent Operations in data governance forums covering data ownership, metadata management, and strategy alignment.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 10 years' experience in Investment Banking Operations or Security Services (Custody, Asset Servicing, Fund Accounting).
• Proven expertise in Reference and Master Data Management within complex data transformation programs.
• In-depth understanding of instrument data, client hierarchies, and account structures across asset classes (Equities, Fixed Income, Derivatives).
• Experience with data governance tools and reference data platforms (e.g., GoldenSource, Bloomberg, EDM, Markit, SmartStream, or internal MDM systems).
• Strong knowledge of data modeling, lineage, and metadata management concepts.
• Ability to translate operational requirements into data management and technology solutions.
• Hands-on experience with SQL, data analysis tools, or reporting frameworks is an advantage.
• Excellent stakeholder management, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to bridge Operations and Technology.
• Prior exposure to regulatory reporting or control functions is highly desirable.

Additional Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experienced in navigating matrix organizations across global teams.
• Strong understanding of risk, control, and compliance within banking operations.
• Familiarity with Agile or hybrid delivery methodologies for large-scale transformation initiatives.