Head of Operations
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Digital Bank | Senior Leadership Role
A fast-growing digital bank in Riyadh is seeking an exceptional Head of Operations to lead and scale operational excellence across the organisation. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a commercially minded operations executive who thrives in fast-paced, technology-driven environments and is passionate about building efficient, customer-centric operations.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping operational strategy, driving continuous improvement, enhancing service delivery, and supporting the bank's long-term growth ambitions.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the Head of Operations will oversee day-to-day operational activities across multiple functions, ensuring operational resilience, efficiency, regulatory compliance, and outstanding customer experience.
This role is ideal for a senior operations leader with strong digital banking, fintech, or financial services experience who can combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute operational strategies, policies, and procedures aligned with the bank's strategic objectives.
- Lead and optimise day-to-day banking operations to ensure efficiency, scalability, and service excellence.
- Drive operational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives across the organisation.
- Establish and monitor KPIs, operational metrics, and performance frameworks.
- Partner closely with Technology, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and Customer Experience teams to streamline processes and enhance delivery.
- Manage operational budgets, resource allocation, and third-party/vendor relationships.
- Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, internal controls, governance standards, and risk management practices.
- Identify operational risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
- Build, mentor, and lead high-performing operations teams within a dynamic digital banking environment.
- Support executive leadership in strategic planning and execution of key business initiatives.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a highly capable and intellectually agile leader who combines operational excellence with strong commercial awareness and emotional intelligence.
Requirements
- Minimum 7+ years experience in operations leadership roles within banking, fintech, financial services, or digital platforms.
- Strong understanding of operational best practices, process optimisation, and performance management.
- Experience leading operational transformation and change management initiatives.
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, or related discipline. Advanced qualifications are advantageous.
What Makes This Opportunity Different
This organisation is building a culture focused on:
- Intellectual curiosity and open-minded thinking
- Humility and collaborative leadership
- Customer-first decision making
- Operational discipline and innovation
- High performance with low ego
Why Join
- Opportunity to shape operations within a next-generation digital bank
- High visibility and direct engagement with executive leadership
- Dynamic, entrepreneurial, and growth-oriented environment
- Strong focus on innovation, transformation, and customer experience
- Based in Riyadh, one of the region's fastest-growing financial hubs
