Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations, finance, and compliance for a new wealth management start-up.
- Company: Join a dynamic family office in Mayfair, focused on innovative wealth management solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, pension, healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing team, shaping the future of a start-up in finance.
- Qualifications: Must be a fully qualified accountant with 5+ years in a similar role.
- Other info: Opportunity to build infrastructure from scratch and implement new technologies.
Martis Search are representing a Mayfair based start-up “Single Family Office/ Wealth Management company” to hire a joint “Chief Operating Officer (COO)/ Chief Financial Officer (CFO).” The role reports into their Managing Director and will be responsible for managing all aspects of the business support functions outside of investments. This will include Operations, Finance & Accounting & Compliance.
Our client is ideally looking for either an ACA, ACCA, or CIMA “Fully Qualified Accountant” with ideally a minimum 5-years post-qualified experience as a COO/ CFO, ideally gained within either working for a Family Office, Asset Manager, Wealth Management company, or a Hedge Fund. The London office is a completely new start-up Family Office, with expectations to grow. This means the chosen incumbent will be required to build the company’s infrastructure from scratch, moving from manual processes to automation in the future (responsible for selecting external system providers, negotiating rates, and legal agreements with the view of getting cost savings whilst creating efficiencies).
The chosen incumbent will be both “hands-on” (it is a very small London office) and strategic (working closely with the Managing Director for strategic Finance Operational, Compliance, and Finance & Accounting projects). This could include implementing new systems and technology. Currently, the London office’s non-investment processes are very manual and are undergoing change. However, the chosen incumbent will be fully responsible for leading this change and managing all day-to-day Operational activities.
Our client needs someone who has extensive experience in the following:
- FCA Application – the chosen incumbent will be fully responsible for this and have proven experience applying for an FCA application.
- Financing - the chosen incumbent will be fully responsible for this and have proven experience in Financing.
- Tax Planning - the chosen incumbent will be fully responsible for this and have proven experience in Tax Planning.
- Corporate Structure - the chosen incumbent will be fully responsible for setting up and maintaining “Corporate Structures” and have a deep understanding of them.
- Compliance - be willing to potentially hold the SMF16 and SMF 17 in the future and be responsible for the Compliance function too.
You will be responsible for hiring, management, and development (as well as managing any existing support function employees) in all support functions, leading budgets, creating target operating models, and ensuring that processes are robust and scalable in the future as the business grows.
There is no policy around working-from-home vs. in the office, but the MD’s preference will be for you to be in the office more often than not. This is a start-up Wealth Manager, so their view is that everyone needs to be visible, hardworking, and working together as a team to help build the company out. There will obviously be days when you can work from home, but this will be less than the time spent in the office.
Total compensation will be between ÂŁ250k pa - ÂŁ400k pa (a mix of base salary and bonus), plus pension, healthcare, and other benefits.
Seniority level: Executive
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Accounting/Auditing, Administrative, and Legal
Industries: Financial Services and Investment Management
Contact Detail:
Martis Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer (start-up Mayfair based Family Office/ Wealth Management company)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the wealth management and family office sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups in Mayfair to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights and possibly refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and technologies in financial operations and compliance. Being knowledgeable about automation tools and regulatory changes will demonstrate your readiness to lead the operational transformation at a start-up.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with FCA applications and tax planning in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated these processes in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by highlighting past experiences where you've built teams or improved operational efficiencies. The ability to manage and develop support functions will be key in this role, so emphasise your hands-on and strategic approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer (start-up Mayfair based Family Office/ Wealth Management company)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a COO or CFO, particularly in family offices or wealth management. Emphasise your qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) and any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to build infrastructure and manage operations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that outlines your vision for the role and how your background aligns with the company's needs. Discuss your experience with FCA applications, tax planning, and compliance, and express your enthusiasm for contributing to a start-up environment.
Showcase Leadership Skills: In your application, highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams and developing support functions. Provide examples of how you've successfully led change initiatives and improved operational efficiencies in previous roles.
Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Illustrate your strategic mindset by discussing past projects where you implemented new systems or technologies. Explain how these initiatives contributed to the overall success of the organisation and how you plan to apply this experience in the new role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Martis Search
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a COO/CFO, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and manage teams effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and developed teams in previous roles, especially in start-up environments.
✨Highlight Your Technical Skills
Given the focus on automation and system implementation, be ready to discuss your experience with financial systems and technology. Mention specific tools or software you've used and how they improved operational efficiency.
✨Understand Regulatory Requirements
Familiarise yourself with FCA applications and compliance regulations. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences with regulatory frameworks and how you ensured compliance in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
The role requires both hands-on and strategic capabilities. Prepare to discuss how you've contributed to strategic planning and decision-making in your previous positions, particularly in finance and operations.
