Group Director - Operations, Platforms & Governance
Location: Zurich / London / Limassol
Group-wide remit across Switzerland, Cyprus, UK and ADGM
Reporting Line
Reports to:
Group CEO / Group COO
Key Stakeholders
- Investment Committee
- Head of Investments
- Finance
- Compliance
- Technology
- External Regulators
- Board Members
- Strategic Service Providers
Role Purpose
The Group Director - Operations, Platforms & Governance is responsible for designing, leading and continuously enhancing the Group's operational platform across all jurisdictions.
The role ensures that governance, regulatory infrastructure, technology, operational processes and reporting capabilities fully support the Group's strategic growth ambitions while maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence, regulatory compliance and client service.
The successful candidate will act as the operational architect of the Group, translating strategic objectives into scalable operating models, efficient processes and robust governance frameworks.
Core Responsibilities
Group Governance & Regulatory Oversight
Lead and oversee governance frameworks across all Group entities.
Ensure ongoing regulatory compliance for the FINMA regulated Swiss entity together with oversight across Cyprus, UK and ADGM.
- Regulatory governance under FINIA, AMLA, AMLO-FINMA
- Internal Control System (ICS)
- Annual regulatory audit readiness
- Regulatory filings and notifications
- Board governance
- Corporate secretarial matters
- Commercial Registry maintenance
- Insurance programmes
- Outsourced compliance providers
- Quarterly compliance reviews
- AML / KYC governance
- Enhanced Due Diligence oversight
Maintain continuous audit readiness and ensure timely remediation of all regulatory findings.
Act as the primary operational counterpart to regulators, auditors and legal advisers
Operations & Operating Model
Design, implement and continuously improve the Group operating model.
- Operating model optimisation
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Cross-border operating frameworks
- Service delivery standards
- Operational governance
- Business continuity planning
- Operational risk management
- Third-party oversight
- Outsourcing governance
Drive operational consistency across all jurisdictions
Platforms, Data & Technology
Own the Group operational technology roadmap.
- Client data architecture
- Portfolio data governance
- CRM ecosystem
- Reporting platforms
- API integrations
- Workflow automation
- AI-enabled operational solutions
- Digital operating platforms
- Data quality frameworks
Ensure scalability, security and operational resilience
Client Operations & Business Support
Lead operational execution supporting business growth.
- Client onboarding
- Custodian onboarding
- EAM onboarding
- Asset transfers
- Client migrations
- Operational support for fundraising
- New market launches
- Legal entity implementation
- Group restructuring projects
- Liquidation projects
- Transfer pricing implementation
- Reporting & Management Information
Reporting & Management Information
Develop a best-in-class reporting environment.
- Quarterly client reporting
- Board reporting
- Executive dashboards
- Management information
- Data analytics
- Reporting automation
Deliver timely, accurate and scalable reporting capabilities.
Leadership
Build and lead a high-performing Operations function.
- Leadership of Group Operations teams
- Performance management
- Talent development
- Succession planning
- Coaching
- External vendor management
- Cross-functional leadership
Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and operational excellence.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
Drive operational transformation through technology and innovation.
- AI adoption
- Process automation
- Lean process improvement
- Digital transformation
- Operational simplification
Continuously improve efficiency, scalability and client experience.
Key Deliverables (First 12 Months)
- Fully operational Group Operating Model
- Elimination of outstanding regulatory remediation actions
- Group-wide governance framework implemented
- Integrated reporting platform operational
- Client onboarding fully standardised
- Data governance framework established
- Operational automation roadmap delivered
- Transfer pricing framework implemented
- Cross-jurisdiction operating model aligned
Key Performance Indicators
Governance
- Zero overdue regulatory filings
- Zero overdue audit remediation actions
- 100% Board documentation delivered on time
- No material regulatory breaches
Operations
- 20% reduction in operational processing time
- 30% reduction in manual workflows
- Improved turnaround times across jurisdictions
- SLA implementation across all Group entities
Technology
- Successful implementation of automation initiatives
- Data accuracy above agreed threshold
- Reduced reconciliation errors
- Stable reporting infrastructure
Business Support
- Successful client onboarding delivery
- Successful client migration execution
- Operational support for strategic growth initiatives
- Delivery of new market operating capabilities
Leadership
- High employee engagement
- Strong internal stakeholder satisfaction
- Talent development and succession plans completed
Required Experience
- 12+ years within Wealth Management, Private Banking or Asset Management
- Proven experience in regulated financial institutions
- Strong knowledge of FINMA regulatory environment
- Experience across multi-jurisdictional organisations
- Track record leading operational transformation
- Experience implementing technology and automation initiatives
- Strong Board-level exposure
- Vendor and outsourcing management experience
Competencies
- Strategic thinking
- Operational excellence
- Executive communication
- Leadership
- Decision making
- Commercial awareness
- Stakeholder management
- Negotiation
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Ability to execute at pace
Success Profile
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong ownership mentality
- Exceptional execution capability
- Ability to simplify complexity
- High credibility with Boards, regulators and senior executives
- Strong commercial judgement
- Passion for operational excellence
- Calm decision-making under pressure
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Ability to build scalable infrastructure supporting future growth
