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)
Chief Operating Officer employer: Harrington Starr
Join a leading high-volume futures trading organisation in London, where you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the stability of critical trading and clearing platforms. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, this company offers competitive daily rates and long-term contract opportunities, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the capital markets sector.
