Chief Operating Officer

Overview

A fast‑growing financial services and payments organisation delivering innovative solutions across Banking‑as‑a‑Service (BaaS), payments, foreign exchange (FX), and digital asset solutions. This is an opportunity for an experienced operations leader from a payments, banking, EMI, fintech or Banking‑as‑a‑Service environment to make a significant impact within a high‑growth organisation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the operational strategy aligned to business growth objectives
• Lead operational functions across payments, transaction processing, reconciliation, settlement and banking operation
• Build scalable processes, controls and operating models to support future growth
• Drive continuous improvement, automation and operational efficiency initiatives
• Establish operational KPIs, SLAs and reporting framework
• Partner closely with Technology, Compliance, Finance, Product and Commercial teams

Payments & Banking Operations

• Oversee operational delivery across payment products and Banking‑as‑a‑Service partnership
• Manage domestic and international payment operations
• Ensure operational resilience across payment processing, settlement, safeguarding and treasury activities
• Support new product launches and expansion initiatives
• Manage relationships with banking partners, payment providers and technology vendors

Regulatory & Risk Management

• Ensure operational activities remain aligned with FCA expectations and regulatory requirements
• Maintain strong governance frameworks, controls and audit readiness
• Work closely with Risk and Compliance teams to identify and mitigate operational risk
• Ensure policies, procedures and controls remain effective as the business scales
• Support regulatory reviews and reporting requirements
• Oversee safeguarding, client money processes, reconciliation and settlement control
• Ensure accurate operational reporting and financial governance
• Partner with Finance to maintain robust operational control
• Support audit processes and regulatory requirements

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead, mentor and develop a high‑performing operations team
• Build a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement
• Act as a key operational leader across the wider business
• Build strong relationships with regulators, banking partners and external stakeholders

Qualifications

• 10‑15+ years’ experience within financial services operation
• Proven leadership experience within payments, banking, EMI, fintech or Banking‑as‑a‑Service environment
• Strong understanding of payment operations, transaction processing, settlement and operational control
• Experience building and scaling operational frameworks within a growing organisation
• Strong knowledge of FCA‑regulated environments and financial services governance
• Experience managing cross‑functional teams and complex operational processes
• Excellent stakeholder management, analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Experience supporting EMI licensing, regulatory change or authorisation programme
• Knowledge of safeguarding, client money, treasury operations and reconciliation processes
• Background in embedded finance, fintech or high‑growth financial technology businesses
• Exposure to international payments and cross‑border financial services
• Professional qualification in accounting or finance (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)