About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Head of Operations to lead all operational and financial functions of our Electronic Money Institution (EMI). The ideal candidate has strong experience in payments, financial operations, safeguarding, regulatory compliance, and team leadership. You will ensure operational excellence, scalability, and full adherence to EMI regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
1. Operations Management
- Oversee day-to-day EMI operations including payment processing, reconciliation, settlement, and reporting.
- Develop and maintain operational policies, workflows, and procedures.
- Monitor transaction processes for accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
2. Financial Operations (FinOps)
- Manage safeguarding processes and ensure full regulatory compliance.
- Oversee financial reconciliation for client funds, safeguarding accounts, and operational accounts.
- Build and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial risk mitigation strategies.
3. Market Entry & Expansion
- Develop and execute market entry and growth strategies.
- Build strong relationships with regulators, partners, banks, and business stakeholders.
- Identify and support new commercial opportunities to drive customer and market growth.
4. Regulatory Compliance
- Work closely with compliance teams to ensure adherence to EMI regulatory frameworks and reporting requirements.
- Lead internal and external audits and collaborate with regulators and auditors.
5. Process Improvement
- Identify operational inefficiencies and implement improvements.
- Drive automation across transaction processing, reconciliation, and reporting.
- Enhance operational resilience and scalability through continuous optimisation.
6. Team Leadership
- Build, lead, and mentor high-performing PayOps and FinOps teams.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and results.
- Manage recruitment, onboarding, and development of operational talent.
7. Stakeholder Management
- Maintain strong relationships with banks, PSPs, and key operational partners.
- Serve as the primary contact for operational and financial inquiries.
- Ensure alignment between operational strategy and business objectives.
Qualifications & Experience
You will be a strong fit if you:
- Align with our values: Belief, Positivity, Accountability & Ownership, Speed, Execution.
- Have 7+ years of operations leadership experience in FinTech, preferably within payments, financial operations, or EMIs.
- Understand regulatory frameworks relevant to EMIs, including compliance, safeguarding, and reporting requirements.
- Have strong knowledge of SEPA, SWIFT, card schemes, and payment infrastructures.
- Demonstrate expertise in financial reconciliation, safeguarding, and operational risk management.
- Possess strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Are proficient in financial and operational software/tools.
