Work at Euroclear behind the scenes. Interview with experts

Editorial: What prompted you to take up work at Euroclear and what did your career path in the company look like?

Dominik Niemczyk: Kraków has become one of the best places in Central-West Europe for the development of innovative businesses. A decade ago, Euroclear expanded its activities to Kraków, becoming one of the first leading international corporations to do so. I recognised this as a unique opportunity to foster my career in a highly international and innovative environment. Learning about new businesses and cultures, and actively participating in the transition of processes was very appealing to me. Throughout my career at Euroclear, I have taken on a role as people manager, including the responsibility of overseeing several teams within Euroclear Bank Operations. After many exciting years in that role, I took on the opportunity of joining the fields of supply chain/procurement.

Jacek Lelek: My journey with Euroclear began out of a desire to work within a global and diverse setting that fosters an environment for personal and professional growth. Drawn by Euroclear’s solid reputation as a trusted financial market infrastructure and its commitment to growth, I embarked on this path as a Facilities Specialist. Over the years, my dedication and hard work led to a promotion to Facilities Country Manager, where I now lead and manage facility operations across Poland, Germany, and Japan.

Magdalena Zelazko: I was drawn to Euroclear as it offered the possibility to embrace new challenges, outside of my comfort zone. The opportunity to work in a diverse, international and people-oriented environment was very appealing, as was the idea of being part of Euroclear itself instead of being a contractor. Together with the personal growth and professional development opportunities, it was exactly in line with my personal ambitions and professional skills. I joined Euroclear nearly six years ago as a General Ledger Accountant. My career path has been filled with diverse and enriching experiences, starting with a fascinating first year that included several months of training in the Brussels headquarters. 1,5 year later, I was promoted to Team Leader of the General Ledger team in Krakow, where I took on the added responsibility of people management. Some time later, my responsibilities were expanded to manage Euroclear Bank’s branches in Hong Kong, Japan, and Poland. This not only offered the possibility to further develop my skills, but also to broaden my scope while working closely together with management, and participating in cross-divisional finance projects.

E.: Dominik, what are the main duties of a Senior Risk Control Manager in the procurement department at Euroclear?

Dominik Niemczyk: In our current global environment, supply chain and procurement is challenged by diverse risks, such as cyber threats, sanctions, modern slavery, financial instability, and business continuity issues. My role is pivotal in managing Euroclear’s supply chain integrity and procurement excellence, while minimising risks within our risk appetite. I established the Krakow-based Know Your Supplier (KYS) Team for suppliers, and act as a risk advisor for all procurement professionals. I lead and coordinate risk assessments, design, implement, and run controls to ensure the proper functioning of procurement processes.

Beyond risk management, I’m the Key Account Manager for Euroclear Group entities, ensuring robust governance.

E.: What skills and competencies are key to success in the position of Senior Risk Control Manager?

Dominik Niemczyk: The role of a Senior Risk Control Manager is built on technical and soft skills. Among the most critical skills are:

- Collaboration: communication, leadership, and teamwork are indispensable. The ability to bring together diverse teams and stakeholders, and to explain complex concepts, is paramount.

- Problem-solving mindset: Supply chain management often involves dealing with unexpected challenges. Resilience and problem solving are crucial to overcome them.

- Analytical skills: An analytical eye is essential to anticipate on potential risks and propose informed courses of action.

- Regulatory and governance knowledge: Understanding regulatory requirements and adjusting internal governance accordingly is vital to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

- Project management: effective project management helps us to achieve our goals.

E.: What advice would you give to people interested in a career in Supply Chain?

Dominik Niemczyk: Embarking on a Supply Chain career is to step into a world with a wide range of roles, but also with unexpected challenges. I would encourage you to embrace innovation, focus on resilience, and commit yourself to continuously growing your skills. It’s a dynamic environment that requires flexibility and a growth mindset. From category management to procurement, governance to data analytics, risk oversight to project orchestration, each domain demands its own skill set, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Reflect on which of these domains resonates with your aspirations and capabilities.

E.: Jacek, what are the main duties of a Facilities Country Manager at Euroclear?

Jacek Lelek: In my role as Facilities Country Manager, I am responsible for overseeing facility operations in the assigned countries (i.e. Germany, Japan and Poland). I play a pivotal role in strategic space and resource planning, ensuring seamless coordination with various departments to fulfil the company’s operational requirements. A critical element of my role involves integrating our facilities management strategy within Euroclear’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. This entails a commitment to minimising our environmental footprint through sustainable practices. I engage in ongoing collaboration with the Local Management Team, addressing their needs and proactively proposing improvements to support our collective vision for a sustainable and employee-centric environment. This way, we contribute to the employee well-being and workplace satisfaction.

E.: What skills and competencies are key to success in the position of Facilities Country Manager?

Jacek Lelek: Success in this role is built on several key competencies, but I think effective communication, project management and problem-solving are the three main skills. Project management is essential for maintaining a clear overview of various projects, whether local or international. Clear and transparent communication is vital for keeping stakeholders informed and leading teams, especially when collaborating with vendors and interfacing with other departments. Problem-solving is crucial for tackling operational issues and unforeseen challenges.

E.: Let's now focus on Magdalena and the Accounting Team. What skills and competencies are key to success in accounting?

Magdalena Zelazko: Success in accounting requires a certain skill set, which includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail and proficiency in accounting principles and software. Effective communication and problem-solving abilities are crucial for explaining financial data and resolving discrepancies. Efficient time management and a strong sense of accountability are essential for delivering accurate and timely reporting. In an ever-changing environment, it’s important to have a growth mindset and be open to upskill yourself so you can tackle future challenges in the right way. Luckily at Euroclear, they empower you take control of your own development and encourage you to develop the necessary skills.

E.: What changes and trends do you observe in the accounting industry that affect work at Euroclear?

Magdalena Zelazko: The world is rapidly evolving, driven by environmental challenges, economic risks as well by innovation and transformation.  Cloud-based systems are enabling real-time data access, while ongoing regulatory changes and growing emphasis on data analytics demand continuous learning. The rise of remote work demands digital proficiency and with the increased digitalisation of data, the importance of cyber security will only increase. Nevertheless, automation and innovation will allow us, accountants, to deep dive in specific matters and to take on an advisory role. To stay up to date, it’s important to keep track of all changes, technologies and geopolitical trends.

E.: What challenges do you encounter in your daily work and how do you deal with them?

Dominik Niemczyk: The landscape is diverse; requirements and expectations shift across business units and regulatory bodies, creating a need for discussion, analysis, and negotiation. These are not easy to navigate. They demand a robust grasp of the subject matter and solid reporting towards pivotal stakeholders. Our strategy to overcome these hurdles is built on clear communication, fostering awareness, and focus on the value we bring. As demand and regulatory frameworks change, so must our processes, policies, operational structures, and the tools that empower our business. These bring challenges of their own, and it’s through effective change management that we aim to overcome these challenges, and show adaptability.

Jacek Lelek: The role presents several challenges, notably in project coordination and stakeholder management across countries. My team and I ensure that projects meet their deadlines and comply with the regulatory standards. Regular engagement with stakeholders—including management, employees, suppliers, regulators, and auditors—allows us to manage expectations and propose mutually beneficial solutions. By embracing innovation and efficiency, we stay up to date with the latest trends in facilities management. This helps us to optimise operational efficiency, and increase sustainability and employee satisfaction.

Magdalena Zelazko: At Euroclear, being a global leader in FMI services, you play a pivotal role in safeguarding financial transactions across the globe. Each day brings different challenges in various areas, such as accounting, audit, people management, reporting, risk, regulations… Flexibility, agility and collaboration at all levels are key in my day-to-day life at Euroclear. Adapting quickly to changing conditions is crucial for success in this role. This helps us to ensure seamless business operations, together with all team members and across departments. Next to this, it’s also my responsibility to nurture the growth and well-being of my team.

E.: Could you please describe Euroclear in one word?

Dominik Niemczyk: Opportunities.

Jacek Lelek: It’s easy. “Growth”.

Magdalena Zelazko: Innovative.

 

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