At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead EMEA operations, optimise platform performance, and manage regulatory oversight.
- Company: Leading global financial institution in the commodities sector.
- Benefits: High visibility with senior leadership and opportunities for strategic impact.
- Other info: Ideal for professionals looking to transition into a leadership role.
- Why this job: Step into a COO role with significant commercial exposure and drive platform improvements.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in financial markets or commodities, strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 £ per year.
We are working on a high-impact opportunity for an EMEA COO within a leading global financial institution's commodities platform, based in London. The business operates across the full commodities value chain, delivering risk management, financing, physical execution, and logistics solutions to a global client base. The EMEA footprint spans multiple key financial centres with a workforce of approximately 250 professionals.
This is a central leadership role, closely aligned to the Front Office and senior stakeholders, focused on driving operational performance, strategic delivery, and regulatory oversight across the EMEA region. You will lead a team and act as the key conduit between the business and core infrastructure functions, ensuring the platform is scalable, controlled, and commercially effective. Importantly, this role is not revenue-generating or business development focused, as that function sits within a dedicated Business Development team. The remit is centred on enabling, optimising, and scaling the platform to support front office activity. This is a great opportunity for Heads of Business Management/Deputy COOs to take up a step into a global commodities platform.
Core Responsibilities
- Provide oversight of EMEA operations, ensuring alignment with business strategy and performance objectives
- Lead and develop a team responsible for core middle office and operational activities
- Act as a trusted partner to Front Office, enabling revenue-generating teams to focus on commercial activity
- Manage engagement with internal stakeholders across Finance, Risk, Technology, Legal, Operations, Tax, and Compliance
- Support regulatory interactions, including management information, escalations, and responses to enquiries
- Oversee end-to-end trade lifecycle processes including booking, P&L, and reporting
- Drive enhancements across booking models, new product implementation, and process automation
- Identify and mitigate operational risk through continuous improvement initiatives
- Deliver clear, actionable MI and dashboards to senior leadership
- Provide oversight on reporting linked to regulatory and booking frameworks
- Partner with business teams to implement new commercial initiatives and transactions
- Lead collaboration with Technology on system enhancements and platform evolution
- Support execution of complex transactions, including strategic projects and acquisitions
- Coordinate internal expertise to deliver key transformation programmes
Candidate Profile
- 10+ years' experience within financial markets or commodities, ideally in a COO, business management, or risk-aligned role
- Strong understanding of EMEA regulatory requirements and experience managing regulatory engagement
- Exposure to physical commodities and derivative products
- Broad understanding of finance, capital, governance, and tax considerations
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across front office and control functions
- Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and commercially aware
- Strong academic background in a relevant discipline
Why This Opportunity
- Directly aligned to the front office with significant commercial exposure (without a BD mandate)
- Ideal transition opportunity for commodities risk professionals into a COO leadership role
- Broad remit across physical and financial commodities markets
- High visibility with senior leadership across EMEA
- Opportunity to drive platform improvement, automation, and strategic initiatives
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land COO EMEA - Commodities Markets & Financing in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Selby Jennings. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace COO EMEA - Commodities Markets & Financing in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Selby Jennings.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Selby Jennings's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Selby Jennings
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Selby Jennings.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Selby Jennings will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Selby Jennings employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
