Chief Operating Officer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Oversee all daily operational activities of zntb, which include custody operations, settlement processes, reconciliation, reserve management, and account administration.

• Develop, implement, and uphold operational playbooks, standard operating procedures, and business continuity frameworks that align with OCC safety and soundness expectations.

• Construct and manage the bank’s operational framework from pre-opening stages to steady-state operations, collaborating with engineering, product, finance, and legal teams.

• Ensure operational readiness for new products, asset types, partner integrations, and modifications to the bank’s operational scope.

• Set up and track SLAs, exception-handling protocols, and operational uptime standards across all bank functions.

• Act as a designated Fiduciary Officer of zntb, assisting the Trust Officer in the management of all fiduciary and custodial accounts.

• Supervise fiduciary recordkeeping tasks, including account setup, asset segregation, ledger accuracy, periodic account evaluations, and documentation necessary under 12 CFR §9.6.

• Ensure trust operations adhere to OCC fiduciary standards, which encompass annual review requirements, internal fiduciary audit protocols, and relevant state trust law.

• Maintain appropriate safeguards and controls over fiduciary assets, including collateral requirements for uninsured fiduciary funds in line with 12 CFR Part 9.

• Enforce policies and procedures governing self-dealing, conflicts of interest, and the co-mingling of fiduciary and non-fiduciary assets.

• Serve as acting Chief Trust Officer when appointed by the CEO or Board.

• Function as the main executive accountable for reporting to the zntb Board of Directors on trustee activities, operational performance, and institutional KPIs.

• Prepare and deliver regular reports to the Board and committees that encompass custody operations, fiduciary account activity, reconciliation integrity, vendor performance, operational incidents, and risk metrics.

• Assist the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary governance responsibilities under 12 CFR §9.7, including involvement in the bank’s audit and risk committees.

• Manage the governance calendar and ensure the timely production of all necessary Board materials, reports, and approvals.

• Keep audit-ready documentation, operational logs, and evidence repositories prepared for OCC examinations, fiduciary audits, and supervisory reviews.

• Implement and sustain OCC-aligned internal control systems across operations, custody, reconciliation, and settlement workflows.

• Support pre-opening examination requirements and deliverables necessary to secure final OCC charter approval.

• Collaborate with the Chief Compliance Officer, CRO, and Legal team on operational risk testing, issue remediation, and supervisory responses.

• Monitor and implement evolving regulatory requirements, including GENIUS Act mandates concerning issuance, reserve management, and redemption operations as applicable.

• Manage relationships with banking partners, sub-custodians, reserve custodians, technology vendors, and other essential service providers.

• Ensure all intercompany and third-party relationships meet OCC third-party risk management expectations, including due diligence, SLA monitoring, and ongoing oversight.

• Maintain vendor performance dashboards, due diligence packages, and documentation required for OCC third-party risk reviews.

• Take ownership of the bank’s operational continuity, incident response, and crisis management programs.

• Lead the triage and resolution of operational incidents across custody, settlement, reconciliation, and technology functions.

• Conduct post-incident evaluations and ensure prompt remediation of control gaps and operational failures.

• Cultivate a culture of operational excellence, fiduciary accountability, and regulatory integrity throughout the organization.

• Be an integral member of the zntb executive leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, cultural development, and organizational growth.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in banking operations, trust operations, custody operations, or payments at a federally regulated financial institution.

• Direct experience with a national bank, federally chartered trust company, or equivalent regulated depository institution under OCC supervision.

• Extensive knowledge of 12 CFR Part 9 (Fiduciary Activities of National Banks), OCC safety and soundness expectations, and fiduciary examination standards.

• Proven experience in managing trust or custodial account administration, encompassing account setup, asset segregation, periodic reviews, and fiduciary recordkeeping.

• A successful history of building or overseeing high-volume, control-intensive operational environments within a regulated banking context.

• Experience in reporting to or collaborating directly with a bank Board of Directors, including preparing board materials, operational KPIs, and governance reports.

• Strong comprehension of bank operational controls, internal audits, and OCC examination procedures.

• Experience in managing third-party and vendor relationships in alignment with OCC third-party risk expectations.

• Demonstrated capability to build, lead, and cultivate high-performing teams in a regulated banking environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in presenting to boards, regulators, and senior institutional stakeholders.

• Willingness and ability to travel for regulatory meetings, partner engagements, and bank-related business as required.

🏝️ Benefits

• Healthcare Insurance: zerohash covers approximately 100% of employee premiums and a portion for spouses/children (U.S. only).

• Vision & Dental Insurance (U.S. only).

• Opportunity to earn equity.

• Maternity & Paternity leave (after 6 months).

• WeWork All Access Membership.

• WFH Yearly Stipend.

• L&D Yearly Stipend (after 6 months).