Head of Lending Operations APAC

TL;DR

Head of Lending Operations APAC: Lead seamless execution of lending operations with an accent on control environment, end-to-end client experience, and compliance with loan agreement terms and regulatory standards. Focus on team leadership, risk championing, operational issue escalation, and continuous improvement driven by data and NPS insights.

Location: Singapore

Company

ING Wholesale Banking in Singapore operates the regional Asia Pacific headquarters and provides wholesale banking services.

What you will do

• Lead and motivate the lending operations team: set goals, assign work by skills and workload, monitor progress, and hold self/others accountable.
• Ensure timely, accurate handling of client requests and deliver an end-to-end seamless client experience, improving using NPS insights and data.
• Drive continuous improvement across the control framework and execution capabilities, using data to enhance processes.
• Oversee daily operations including deal closings, restructurings, and in-life management; act as the first escalation point for operational issues and manage daily metrics/reporting.
• Ensure full adherence to ING policies and external regulatory/compliance requirements, and embed a proactive risk management culture.
• Develop team members through training and technical/personal development; support integration of long-term vision and strategy with day-to-day execution.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in an operations department with a proven track record.
• Deep knowledge of wholesale banking clients and products, including experience acting as Agent Bank through the cycle.
• Knowledge of the end-to-end Lending value chain and Loan IQ.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to balance multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively in a high-paced environment and solve operational issues with mitigating actions.
• Singapore-based role (location: Singapore).

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, globally driven “one way of working” environment with a focus on avoiding silos.
• Emphasis on a robust control environment, proactive risk management, and compliance.
• Improvement mindset supported by data-driven decision-making and continuous process optimization.
• People development focus with a safe environment for growth and talent deepening.

Hiring process

• Interviews focused on leadership approach, operational/compliance expertise, and stakeholder management.
• Assessment of lending operations knowledge, including Loan IQ and the lending value chain.
• Discussion of how experience translates into daily execution, risk championing, and continuous improvement.