Aayush Dhar

About Aayush Dhar

I am a seasoned professional with over 15 years of in-depth experience in Business Process Transition. I currently serve as the Vice President of Operational Risk and Compliance at Citigroup, Pune. My career is highlighted by my expertise in managing significant process transitions, including comprehensive responsibilities across Global Sanctions Screening, US Trade Settlements, Instruction Processing, and Middle Office Reconciliations.My role involves overseeing critical financial operations such as Custody, DTCC, FED Settlements, and Pre-Settlements for US Domestic Custody, ensuring that each transaction process adheres to stringent compliance and operational standards. My leadership was instrumental in successfully migrating 9 key processes from the USA and Poland, enhancing the operational frameworks and reducing risk exposures by 90%. This strategic overhaul included the implementation of rigorous policy updates and the introduction of innovative risk management solutions.At Citigroup, I spearheaded the Global Sanctions & Compliance business migration from Warsaw to Pune. This complex initiative fortified our compliance infrastructure and positioned us for future challenges and opportunities. I have consistently demonstrated my ability to lead and develop teams, managing groups of 5-22 individuals and fostering an environment that encourages professional growth and conflict resolution.I have completed 13 major process transitions throughout my tenure that significantly improved the risk and control framework, aligning it with global standards. My proactive approach to client servicing has ensured high satisfaction levels and seamless client transitions. In 2024, I managed 74 risk reduction projects focused on automation, systemic enhancements, and preventative payment controls, delivering substantial improvements in our operational risk landscape. I am committed to maintaining a cutting-edge understanding of market changes and compliance requirements, continuously driving innovation in risk management to safeguard and propel the strategic objectives of my organization.

Experience

1. Vice President, Operational Risk & Compliance

   Citi

   Aug 2023 — Present · Pune, IN

   A global banking leader, Citigroup provides comprehensive financial services across India.• Led the implementation of strategic solutions for Controls mandated by Regulators, enhancing compliance and reducing operational risks significantly.• Oversaw the governance and oversight of manual payment processes, reducing error rates accross firm.• Managing, implementing, and verifying the closure of issues related to Processing Risk, leading to significant risk mitigation.• Implemented Controls in the team and contributed to a global regulatory project enhancing controls across manual payments.• Executed multiple risk reduction projects through automation, system enhancements, and preventative controls.• Developed and enhanced the Processing Risk Appetite Assessment Framework, incorporating proactive risk identification; improving risk monitoring and reduction efforts.

Education

• Punjab Technical University

  Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA, Business Administration and Management, General

  2009

• SYMBIOSIS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

  Postgraduate Diploma in Finance, Finance, General

  2013

Skills

• Middle Office
• Back Office Operations
• Project Management
• Operations Management
• Financial Reporting
• Account Reconciliation
• Business Transition
• Team Management