At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations, finance, and legal matters to ensure smooth business scaling.
- Company: Polixis, a boutique European firm focused on trusted AI data solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation support, hybrid work, and board-level exposure.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in Yerevan's vibrant tech hub.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making an impact in the AI and data sectors.
- Qualifications: Experience as CFO or similar, with strong finance and operational skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Polixis is building the data foundation for trusted AI.
A boutique European operation — lean, senior and punching above its weight — we turn fragmented, high-stakes information into structured data that people and AI systems can rely on.
Our teams operate out of Geneva (HQ), Zurich and London, with Yerevan as our engineering backbone: a modern hub in the heart of downtown Yerevan, in an iconic house of Sergey Mergelyan, the father of Soviet computers, and easy to reach from anywhere in Yerevan.
THE role.
As COO, you are the CEO's right hand and deputy — the person who makes sure the business runs, the numbers are sound, and the company can scale without friction.
You own the legal, HR, contractual and administrative backbone of the company together with internal financial oversight, and you deputise for the CEO on defined matters.
A note on finance — bounded, but a must-have.
Polixis's accounting is outsourced to a professional accounting firm that already produces detailed, well-established CFO-level reporting.
Internally, this role consolidates that work, owns the numbers in-house and acts as the company's “memory” — the single internal point of continuity and judgement, at no more than a few days a month
. Finance is not the centre of this role — but the coordination runs deep, so prior experience as a CFO, or an equivalent depth of finance understanding, is a must-have
Responsibilities
WHAT YOU'LL own.
- Consolidate and own, internally, the reporting produced by our external accounting firm — the single in-house point of continuity and institutional memory for the numbers.
- Bring senior finance judgement to Saa S/Daa S financial reporting and metrics.
- Act as the internal counterpart to our external accountants and fiduciaries, and partner with the CEO on financial planning, pricing and investment decisions.
- AUDIT & CERTIFICATION
- Supervise audit and assurance activities, including ISO 27001, ISAE 3000 and other audits/certifications; act as internal owner and primary liaison with auditors.
- LEGAL, HR & ADMINISTRATION
- Supervise legal and HR matters — employment, policies and day-to-day compliance — working with external counsel where needed.
- Oversee the operational backbone: team tooling and access, budgets, and internal administration.
- CONTRACTS & VENDOR MANAGEMENT
- Own the company’s contract portfolio end to end — from cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Swisscom, Proton etc) to software, subscriptions and key provider agreements: negotiation, renewals and cost control.
Qualifications
WHO YOU are.
- Finance understanding — a must-have.
You have served as a CFO, Finance Director or in a similar senior finance seat — or carry an equivalent depth of finance understanding — and can consolidate outsourced accounting into clear, board-grade internal reporting.
- Comfortable being the internal “memory” for the numbers: organised, detail-retentive and dependable across reporting cycles.
- Fluent in Saa S/Daa S financial reporting and the metrics that drive a subscription business.
- Comfortable supervising legal, HR and contractual matters, and negotiating vendor and cloud agreements.
- Familiar with audit and certification frameworks (ISO 27001, ISAE 3000) — or ready to take full ownership of them quickly.
- A trusted, discreet operator who can deputise for a CEO: hands‑on, structured, and effective in a lean, fast-moving international scale‑up.
- Fluent in English; additional languages (French or Armenian) a plus.
- Open to relocating to — or spending significant time at — our Yerevan office (preferred).
- Finance experience gained in a Saa S or technology business.
- Background in Reg Tech, compliance, data or AI sectors.
- Experience scaling an international Saa S business and managing cross-border operations (e. g. Switzerland and Armenia).
WHAT WE offer.
- Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience.
- Relocation support for your move to Yerevan.
- Hybrid and flexible working.
- A front-row seat: genuine ownership and board-level exposure, while building the data foundation for trusted AI.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Chief Operating Officer employer: Polixis
Polixis is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of trusted AI in a boutique European setting. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, team members enjoy competitive compensation, hybrid working options, and the chance to make a significant impact within a lean, dynamic team. The Yerevan office, located in a historic building, provides a modern and inspiring environment for innovation and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer
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✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Polixis.
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When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Polixis.
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We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Polixis.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Polixis. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Polixis
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Polixis, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Polixis, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Polixis could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Polixis as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
