Head of Trust & Depositary (Ireland)
At BNY, our culture allows us to run our company better and enables employees’ growth and success. As a leading global financial services company at the heart of the global financial system, we influence nearly 20% of the world’s investible assets. Every day, our teams harness cutting-edge AI and breakthrough technologies to collaborate with clients, driving transformative solutions that redefine industries and uplift communities worldwide.
Recognized as a top destination for innovators, BNY is where bold ideas meet advanced technology and exceptional talent. Together, we power the future of finance – and this is what #LifeAtBNY is all about. Join us and be part of something extraordinary.
We’re seeking a future team member for the role of Director, Trustee & Depositary Group Manager to join our Trustee & Depositary team. This role is located in Dublin, Ireland.
Head of Trust & Depositary leading the Ireland jurisdictional depositary and trust business. This director-level role is accountable for day-to-day operations, regulatory compliance with the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), exemplary client service, strong legal entity governance, disciplined financial oversight, and execution of the Global Operating Model. The role embodies and champions BNY’s Principles: Be Client Obsessed, Spark Progress, Own It, Stay Curious, Thrive Together
In this role, you’ll make an impact in the following ways:
Jurisdictional Leadership:
- Lead and manage day-to-day operations of the Ireland depositary/trust business; act as the primary escalation point for Ireland location matters and align with global product strategy.
- Establish clear local priorities, capacity planning, and resourcing to meet regulatory and client commitments in Ireland.
Client Service:
- Drive a client-first culture; ensure quality, timely service delivery and proactive engagement.
- Oversee client pipeline reporting, new product requests, and major escalations; provide concise, actionable reporting to the Global Management Team.
Regulatory Compliance & Relationships (Ireland):
- [i] Ensure continued compliance with applicable Irish regulation and CBI requirements (including, where relevant, Client Asset Requirements (CAR) and fund depositary obligations under UCITS/AIFMD) and timely, accurate regulatory reporting to the CBI.
- Maintain constructive relationships with the Central Bank of Ireland; be accountable to the Head of Regulatory Affairs on regulatory matters affecting Ireland.
- Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs to define and approve operating principles and associated standards for Ireland.
Legal Entity Governance:
- Operate within Ireland legal entity/branch governance; ensure appropriate reporting and escalation into committees, councils, and governance forums.
- Establish and run local governance structures required by CBI regulation and entity management, including documentation to support PCF roles and SEAR responsibilities.
Global Operating Model Execution:
- Execute the Global Operating Model as defined by Product; champion continuous improvement, risk reduction, service resilience, and operational efficiency.
- Coordinate cross-location processes to ensure consistent controls and service outcomes.
Financial Oversight:
- Approve local management expenses within the budget allocated by the Head of Global Trust & Depositary; monitor location revenue/expense performance and contribute to planning.
- Drive cost discipline and continuous efficiency improvements.
Offshore/Outsourcing:
- Approve offshore/outsourcing plans aligned to T&D location strategy; coordinate with offshore teams’ management and ensure robust control environment in line with CBI outsourcing guidance.
- Ensure appropriate due diligence, risk assessment, and performance monitoring of third-party providers.
Reporting:
- Provide timely, accurate reporting on performance, risks, client pipeline, escalations, and prioritisation inputs to the Global Management Team.
- Ensure transparency of regulatory matters, incidents, and remediation plans to Ireland governance forums.
Core CBI / SEAR Responsibilities (where applicable)
Regulatory Accountability & Designations:
- Hold and discharge responsibilities consistent with the Senior Executive Accountability Regime (SEAR) for the Head of Trust & Depositary in Ireland, including clear Statements of Responsibilities and reasonable steps obligations.
- Ensure appropriate coverage of Pre-Approval Controlled Function (PCF) roles (including PCF35 as applicable) and that designated individuals are competent and adequately resourced.
Client Assets & Depositary Oversight (Ireland):
- Ensure controls align to relevant CBI requirements for client assets (CAR) where applicable and depositary duties under UCITS/AIFMD, including safekeeping, cash monitoring, oversight of subscriptions/redemptions, and asset verification.
- Maintain complete, accurate records that distinguish client assets across clients and from firm assets, with timely reconciliations and discrepancy remediation consistent with Irish regulatory expectations.
Regulatory Reporting & Engagement:
- Ensure timely, accurate submission of CBI regulatory returns and responses; maintain data readiness and control environment supporting accurate reporting.
- Prepare for, host, and remediate outcomes of CBI supervisory engagements, thematic reviews, and inspections.
Third-Party & Custodian Due Diligence:
- Exercise due skill, care, and diligence in selection, appointment, and periodic review of third-party custodians and service providers, assessing regulatory/legal framework, financial stability, operational resilience, cybersecurity, and compliance posture.
Resolution & Contingency Readiness:
- Maintain up-to-date documentation, records, and contingency procedures to facilitate orderly client asset return and continuity of service under adverse scenarios, aligned to Irish regulatory expectations.
Responsibilities in Practice
- Lead and chair Ireland depositary governance forums; ensure timely reporting/escalation to legal entity committees.
- Oversee safekeeping, cash monitoring, oversight of subscriptions/redemptions, asset verification, and controls consistent with depositary regulations.
- Own incident/breach lifecycle: detection, root cause analysis, remediation, regulatory notifications, and “lessons learned” integration.
- Sponsor control testing, internal audit, regulatory/thematic inspections; drive remediation to closure.
- Coordinate with Risk, Compliance, Legal, Operations, Technology, and Finance to ensure end-to-end control coverage.
Ensure training and competency for staff on depositary obligations, AML/KYC, financial crime, operational resilience, Irish regulatory requirements (including SEAR responsibilities and PCF accountability where relevant).
-
To be successful in this role, we’re seeking the following:
- Extensive leadership experience within Ireland or EU trust/depositary, custody, or asset servicing, leading regulated business lines.
- Deep working knowledge of Irish regulatory landscape and depositary regimes (CBI, UCITS/AIFMD) and practical operation of controls and assurance.
- Experience engaging with the Central Bank of Ireland and delivering on supervisory expectations.
- Proven expertise in governance, risk management, operational resilience, and audit/regulatory remediation in complex environments.
- Experience executing global operating models and leading change across matrix organisations.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree and/or professional qualifications (e.g., compliance/risk certifications) preferred.
- Relevant product/platform domain knowledge; understanding of organisational context and dynamics; agile ways of working experience.
-
At BNY, our culture speaks for itself, check out the latest BNY news at:
BNY Newsroom
BNY LinkedIn
Here’s a few of our recent awards:
- America’s Most Innovative Companies, Fortune, 2025
- World’s Most Admired Companies, Fortune 2025
“Most Just Companies”, Just Capital and CNBC, 2025
-
Our Benefits and Rewards:
BNY offers highly competitive compensation, benefits, and wellbeing programs rooted in a strong culture of excellence and our pay-for-performance philosophy. We provide access to flexible global resources and tools for your life’s journey. Focus on your health, foster your personal resilience, and reach your financial goals as a valued member of our team, along with generous paid leaves, including paid volunteer time, that can support you and your family through moments that matter.
BNY is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.
