About CLS:
CLS is the trusted party at the centre of the global FX ecosystem. Utilized by thousands of counterparties, CLS makes FX safer, smoother and more cost effective. Trillions of dollars’ worth of currency flows through our systems each day.
Created by the market for the market, our unrivalled global settlement infrastructure reduces systemic risk and provides standardization for participants in many of the world’s most actively traded currencies. We deliver huge efficiencies and savings for our clients: in fact, our approach to multilateral netting shrinks funding requirements by over 96% on average, so clients can put their capital and resources to better use.
CLS products are designed to enable clients to manage risk most effectively across the full FX lifecycle – whether through more efficient processing tools or market intelligence derived from the largest single source of FX executed data available to the market.
Our ambition to make a positive difference starts with our people. Our values – Protect, Improve, Grow – underpin everything that we do at CLS and define and shape a supportive and inclusive working environment in which everyone is encouraged to be open and forward-thinking.
Job information:
- Functional title - Assistant Vice President, Innovation and Public Policy
- Department – CEO’s Office
- Corporate level - AVP
- Report to – Managing Director, Office of the CEO
- Location - London
What you will be doing:
The Assistant Vice President, Innovation and Public Policy, contributes to the firm’s exploratory work around nascent technologies and evolving business trends. He/she also supports the firm’s wider public policy activities around the G20 cross-border roadmap.
- Monitoring and assessing developments in the innovation space (e.g. digital assets, Distributed Ledger Technologies and Artificial Intelligence) which could potentially be relevant for the wider FX ecosystem and for CLS.
- Establishing and maintaining contacts with players in the global fintech ecosystem (including industry, public policy makers, and academia).
- Coordinating ideation exercises and designing concrete use cases for research and exploration, both internally and with externals (industry players, public policy makers and academia).
- Supporting wider public policy efforts in the context of the G20 cross-border roadmap.
- Coordinating practical research and experimental work within the company and with externals.
- Supporting the CEO Office in the planning, execution and reporting of innovation-driven initiatives within CLS, ensuring the timely delivery of quality outputs and measurable outcomes.
- Preparing material for CLS governance bodies on innovation and public policy activities, ranging from status updates to assessments.
- Supporting firm-wide preparations for industry and policymaker conferences and related events.
- Contributing to the drafting of thought leadership pieces (e.g., white papers, speeches) on innovation and public policy themes.
- Coordinating firm-wide activities (e.g. internal seminars) to promote knowledge-sharing on innovation topics.
- Ensuing regular and transparent reporting on the progress of initiatives and deliverables, proactively identifying and escalating challenges or issues in a timely manner.
What we’re looking for:
- Minimum of four years of experience within the FX services industry, management consulting (ideally on a technology vertical), or public policy in the financial services industry.
- General understanding of the FX ecosystem and the criticality of CLS to the global financial services marketplace.
- Knowledge in the field of digital assets (in particular Central Bank Digital Currencies), Distributed Ledger Technologies and Artificial Intelligence is desirable.
- Proven capacity to quickly grasp new concepts and industry trends, proactively seeking knowledge and learning opportunities to enhance expertise independently.
- Creative and innovative thinking with an ability to see the bigger picture.
- Familiarity with process design, project management and design thinking processes.
- Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing, to internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple/competing deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work with precision and accuracy, ensuring attention to detail in all aspects of execution.
- Proven track record of working both as part of a team independently with minimal supervision, ensuring personal accountability and responsibility for assigned deliverables.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, to collaborate effectively with different teams and divisions across CLS.
- Demonstrated ability to be resilient when ideating, testing and implementing innovation-driven initiatives, as well as learning from the job, ensuring adaptability and persistence in overcoming challenges.
- Experience in MS Office suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Results oriented team player.
- Can work off own initiative, is a self-starter and can work independently when required.
- High ethical standards and a profound sense of integrity and confidentiality.
- Uses a wide variety of problem-solving approaches and techniques to overcome obstacles in a timely and effective manner with minimal guidance.
- Develops quality relationships with key stakeholders and comfortable working collaboratively across organizational boundaries.
Professional qualifications / certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in finance/economics, law or information technology, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Our commitment to employees:
At CLS, we celebrate diversity and consider this to be one of our strongest assets. We are committed to fostering an environment in which everyone feels comfortable to be who they are, and inclusion is valued. All employees have access to our inclusive benefits, including:
- Holiday - UK/Asia: 25 holiday days and 3 ‘life days’ (in addition to bank holidays). US: 23 holiday days.
- 2 paid volunteer days so that you can actively support causes within your community that are important to you.
- Generous parental leave policies to ensure you can enjoy valuable time with your family.
- Parental transition coaching programmes and support services.
- Wellbeing and mental health support resources to ensure you are looking after yourself, and able to support others.
- Affinity Groups (including our Women’s Forum, Black Employee Network and Pride Network) in support of our organisational commitment to embrace and always be learning more about DE&I.
- Hybrid working to promote a healthy work/life balance, enabling employees to work collaboratively in the office when needed and work from home when they don’t.
- Active support of flexible working for all employees where possible.
- Monthly ‘Heads Down Days’ with no meetings across the whole company.
- Generous non-contributory pension provision for UK/Asia employees, and 401K match from CLS for US employees.
- Private medical insurance and dental coverage.
- Social events that give you opportunities to meet new people and broaden your network across the organisation.
- Annual flu vaccinations.
- Discounts and savings and cashback across a wide range of categories including health and retail for UK employees.
- Discounted Gym membership – Complete Body Gym Discount/Sweat equity program for US employees.
- All employees have access to Discover – our comprehensive learning platform with 1000+ courses from LinkedIn Learning.
- Access to frequent development sessions on a number of topics to help you be successful and develop your career at CLS.
Top Skills
What We Do
In 2022, we celebrate 20 years of delivering unprecedented levels of risk mitigation, liquidity optimization and operational efficiencies.
Trusted by thousands of counterparties within the global FX ecosystem, CLS makes FX safer, smoother and more cost effective. Trillions of dollars worth of currency flows through our systems each day.
Created by the market for the market, our unrivaled global settlement infrastructure reduces systemic risk and provides standardization for participants in many of the world’s most actively traded currencies. We deliver huge efficiencies and savings for our clients: in fact, our approach to multilateral netting shrinks funding requirements by over 96% on average, so you can put your capital and resources to better use.
Our complementary products are designed to enable you to manage your risk most effectively across the full FX lifecycle – whether through more efficient processing tools or market intelligence derived from the largest single source of FX executed data available to the market.
