At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy and execution of digital assets in a UK financial institution.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking UK financial institution embracing next-gen payments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and potential for permanent role.
- Other info: Opportunity to engage directly with the Board and influence key decisions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments with stablecoins and innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in regulated payments and a strong understanding of digital assets.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 € per year.
A senior digital assets leadership mandate at a UK financial institution that is about to step decisively into stablecoins, tokenisation and the next generation of international settlement infrastructure. The individual will design the strategy, align the executive team, and lead the build. The role sits at ExCo-minus-one with direct visibility to the Board.
Who you must be:
- A builder, not an investor. You’ve built and shipped something, not just sponsored, advised, or monitored a portfolio of initiatives. You can point to a specific capability you took from concept through to commercialised, regulated, in-production.
- Payments-first, not crypto-native first. Your career foundation is in regulated payments: treasury, settlement, FX, cross-border, and off-ramp economics. You moved into digital assets because the payments stack is changing, not because you are chasing the cycle.
- Hungry and humble. This is not a CEO-of-your-own-business mandate. The institution is compliance-led and capital-conscious. You’re ready to roll up your sleeves in an established organisation, take real ownership, and play the long game on converting to permanent.
- Regulatory and central bank fluency. You can think clearly through licensing pathways and jurisdictional choice. You treat regulator engagement as core to the mandate, not back-office hygiene. Central bank rooms do not intimidate you.
- Gravitas to control the narrative. Equally credible in a boardroom and on a conference stage. You can be the grown-up who distinguishes blockchain, crypto and stablecoins, and resists the conflation of all three. Comfortable walking into a regulator meeting and a Money 20/20 or Token 2049 panel in the same week.
- Strategic operator. You frame the question as a small number of strategic bets, clearing-and-settlement agent for which flows, build versus partner across infrastructure, whether to issue, white-label or stay out, and you resource them. You do not chase trends; you sequence them.
- Global lens, high-growth markets sensibility. Crypto is geography-agnostic, but the institution's core corridors are not. You understand that a 'we do crypto' headline kills the wrong conversations with the wrong regulators. You frame stablecoin normalisation as a control story.
- Technically fluent without being a developer. Enough depth to engage substantively with infrastructure choices, partner conversations and stablecoin treasury design. Not a CTO. Not a CPO. A product and commercial athlete who can hold their own with engineers, treasurers, regulators and the Board.
The engagement:
- Format. Interim, initial six to twelve months.
- Location. London, two to three days per week in the office.
Interim Head of Digital Assets UK Financial Institution. Next Gen Payments: Stablecoins + Ramps - Strategy + Execution in City of London employer: ZRG
As an Interim Head of Digital Assets at a leading UK financial institution, you will be part of a forward-thinking team that is pioneering the future of payments through stablecoins and tokenisation. The company fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and strategic thinking, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and direct engagement with executive leadership. Located in London, this role provides a unique chance to influence the next generation of financial infrastructure while working in a compliance-led environment that prioritises both regulatory engagement and employee development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Digital Assets UK Financial Institution. Next Gen Payments: Stablecoins + Ramps - Strategy + Execution in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the digital assets space. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or at networking events, make sure to highlight your experience in building and executing strategies in regulated payments. Share specific examples of how you've taken concepts from idea to execution – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for the tough questions! Given the regulatory landscape, you should be prepared to discuss licensing pathways and your approach to engaging with regulators. Show them you’re not just knowledgeable but also comfortable navigating these conversations – it’s a big plus!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic roles that could be perfect for you. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you can showcase your passion for the role right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Digital Assets UK Financial Institution. Next Gen Payments: Stablecoins + Ramps - Strategy + Execution in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Building Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight specific projects you've built and shipped. We want to see how you've taken something from concept to reality, especially in the payments space.
Keep It Payments-First:Remember, we’re looking for someone with a solid foundation in regulated payments. In your application, focus on your experience in treasury, settlement, and cross-border payments, and how that led you to digital assets.
Be Hungry and Humble:We love candidates who are ready to roll up their sleeves and take ownership. In your written application, convey your willingness to dive into the nitty-gritty of the role and your commitment to long-term success.
Engage with Regulatory Insight:Make sure to demonstrate your understanding of regulatory pathways and central bank engagement. We want to see that you can navigate these conversations confidently, so include relevant experiences in your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at ZRG
✨Know Your Digital Assets Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and regulations surrounding stablecoins and digital assets. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've led that align with the institution's goals, showcasing your ability to build and execute strategies.
✨Showcase Your Payments Expertise
Highlight your background in regulated payments and how it informs your approach to digital assets. Be ready to explain how your experience in treasury, settlement, and cross-border payments can contribute to the institution's strategy in this evolving landscape.
✨Demonstrate Gravitas and Communication Skills
You’ll need to convey complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Practice articulating the differences between blockchain, crypto, and stablecoins, and prepare for questions that test your ability to control the narrative in high-stakes environments.
✨Prepare for Regulatory Discussions
Familiarise yourself with the regulatory landscape and be ready to discuss licensing pathways and jurisdictional choices. Show that you treat regulator engagement as a priority and can navigate these conversations with confidence and clarity.
