Chief Operating Officer - Quantum Computing, SC Ventures (London)

Job Summary

Quanta is a unique proposition created to form the future of quantitative analytics, by leveraging breakthrough technologies and combining these with deep domain expertise. Quanta harnesses the latest breakthroughs in quantum and quantum inspired technologies and provides a platform with access to applications, algorithms, research and compute.

Quanta is underpinned by a platform that provides access to industry leading applications, breakthrough algorithms, cutting edge research and quantum computing hardware devices. The platform enables users to conduct their own experimentation and development, by providing access to the latest software and hardware breakthroughs in quantum technologies.

The applications developed by Quanta are built with the primary goal of delivering world class performance by leveraging the unique combination of capabilities that are accessible by the firm. These applications are built to take full advantage of the growing maturity of quantum computing hardware and ‘future proofed’ for the inflection points in the development of these technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end accountability for day-to-day business operations and execution.
• Track and manage the development and implementation of business-critical initiatives.
• Overall responsibility for designing, developing and implementing processes, policies and documentation for key functions including accounting, finance, legal, compliance and human resources.
• Responsibility for sourcing, negotiating with and managing suppliers for the aforementioned key functions.
• Collaborate with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to ensure the appropriate systems are implemented to support efficient execution of processes across the key functions.
• Ensure effective communication of key messages across both direct and indirect teams.
• Champion a strong culture of ethics, integrity, and compliance; ensure alignment with internal policies and all applicable laws and regulations, in both letter and spirit.
• Analyse business performance, revenues, and returns; support the CEO in KPI management and performance insights.
• Prepare board-level and regulatory reporting materials; consolidate inputs from internal stakeholders into executive-ready outputs.
• Monitor budget adherence by identifying performance gaps, risks, and opportunities to deliver target business performance.
• Assist in strategic planning, including development of strategic plans, performance reviews, and business presentations supported by data-driven analysis.
• Ensure the design and delivery of initiatives are consistent with the business & functional strategy where appropriate.
• Oversee execution of key deliverables through business review meetings and proactive tracking of metrics across finance, pipeline, budgets, headcount, and audit-related items.
• Provide business management, coordination, and project delivery support to the senior leadership team.
• Support the CEO to manage financial planning cycles and deliver budgetary commitments.
• Continuously improve operational effectiveness by simplifying and standardising processes, embedding best practices, and promoting consistency across teams.
• Collaborate with business and infrastructure teams to prioritise enhancements and assess investments through structured business cases.
• Manage internal procurement logistics and raise purchase requests as needed.

Skills and Experience

• Overall 10+ years of professional experience including some experience in a similar capacity, ideally as COO/ Chief of Staff role in a start-up environment, in organisations ranging from 10 to 200 people. Past experience in top tier organisations in sectors such as Management Consulting, Financial Services, Technology and/or Fintech will be highly valued.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with extensive experience in drafting and editing both internal and external reports. Proficient in creating compelling presentations and enhancing organizational storytelling.
• Past experience in developing and growing a vibrant and cohesive team culture and managing performance review cycles.
• Strong coordination skills, adept at managing and influencing senior executives across various time zones: Responsible for orchestrating all management team meetings, including setting agendas, tracking actions, and ensuring timely follow-ups.
• Innovative problem-solver with excellent multitasking abilities, skilled in identifying, prioritising, and resolving complex issues proactively.
• Highly adaptable, responsive, and flexible to shifting priorities and urgent requests from senior management and key stakeholders.
• Proven leadership in driving operational efficiency and strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with the company's goals and objectives

Characteristics & Competencies

• Proficient in transforming abstract ideas into efficient operations, translating strategic vision into actionable plans, and driving business priorities from conception to completion.
• Skilled in fostering cohesion among peers and team members, building a foundation of trust, and inspiring engagement in the corporate vision.
• Able to act as a trusted advisor, strategic thought partner, confidante, and sounding board.
• Strategic thinker with executional discipline, capable of aligning vision to operational targets.
• Strong leadership presence with excellent stakeholder and board communication skills, inspiring a culture of accountability, performance, and inclusion across teams.
• Analytical mindset with high attention to detail and operational rigor
• Adaptable, resilient, and solutions-oriented under pressure

About Standard Chartered

We're an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, we've worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If you're looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a bank making a difference, we want to hear from you. You can count on us to celebrate your unique talents and we can't wait to see the talents you can bring us.

Our purpose, to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, together with our brand promise, to be here for good are achieved by how we each live our valued behaviours. When you work with us, you'll see how we value difference and advocate inclusion.

Together we:

• Do the right thing and are assertive, challenge one another, and live with integrity, while putting the client at the heart of what we do
• Never settle, continuously striving to improve and innovate, keeping things simple and learning from doing well, and not so well
• Are better together, we can be ourselves, be inclusive, see more good in others, and work collectively to build for the long term

What we offer

In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.

• Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations.
• Time-off including annual leave, parental/maternity (20 weeks), sabbatical (12 months maximum) and volunteering leave (3 days), along with minimum global standards for annual and public holiday, which is combined to 30 days minimum.
• Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
• Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market-leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills,global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first-aiders and all sorts of self-help toolkits
• A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning.
• Being part of an inclusive and values driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies – everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.

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