Chief Operating Officer, EU

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Austria.

📋 Description

• Develop and implement the operational strategy for Europe in accordance with business goals and regulatory standards.

• Supervise daily operations across European branches, ensuring efficiency, scalability, and high-quality service.

• Manage operational budgets, key performance indicators (KPIs), resource allocation, and performance evaluation.

• Lead operational transformation initiatives, automation efforts, and ongoing process enhancements.

• Oversee the comprehensive customer journey within operational functions, enhancing customer satisfaction and reducing service costs.

• Manage AML/AFC operations, which include KYC/KYB processes, customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and financial crime investigations.

• Ensure effective operational controls, escalation protocols, and adherence to regulatory compliance.

• Direct European customer service operations for retail, VIP, and institutional sectors.

• Foster customer satisfaction, service excellence, complaint resolution, and operational efficiency.

• Supervise payment operations, including fiat deposits, withdrawals, transaction processing, reconciliation, and settlement.

• Assist in the delivery and development of regulated EMI payment services.

• Oversee MiFID-related operations and activities of the European trading desk.

• Ensure the execution of trades, order management, reconciliation, settlement, and operational controls.

• Manage key relationships with banks, payment providers, custodians, liquidity providers, and outsourced service partners.

• Monitor partner performance, service agreements, outsourcing contracts, and third-party operational risks.

• Establish frameworks for operational governance, internal controls, risk management, and business continuity.

• Ensure compliance with MiCA, MiFID II, AML, and DORA regulations.

• Oversee incident management, readiness for audits, regulatory remediation, and management reporting.

• Build and lead high-performing operations teams throughout Europe.

• Set objectives, KPIs, and accountability measures across the organization.

• Act as a member of the European executive leadership team, collaborating with both global and local stakeholders.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in financial services, banking, fintech, digital assets, brokerage, or capital markets, including substantial executive leadership experience.

• Proven track record in managing complex, multi-functional operations in regulated financial services settings.

• In-depth knowledge of crypto trading, digital assets, payment services, AML/AFC, and MiFID-related operations.

• Demonstrated experience in leading customer operations, payment systems, trading functions, and managing external service providers.

• Strong understanding of European regulatory frameworks, including MiCA, MiFID II, AML, DORA, and payment services regulations.

• Proven capability to scale operations, enhance efficiency, and establish governance and risk management frameworks.

• Experience in managing outsourcing relationships, banking collaborations, and strategic external partnerships.

• Strong commercial, analytical, and financial management abilities, including oversight of budgets, KPIs, and operational performance.

• Established leadership experience across international teams and various European jurisdictions.

• Excellent strategic thinking, decision-making, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Proficient in English; knowledge of additional European languages is advantageous, and Chinese is a plus.

• A background in management consulting, banking, or trading is preferred.

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Banking, Management, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.

🏝️ Benefits

• Study Growth Fund to support professional development and ongoing learning opportunities.

• Regular internal team-building activities, workshops, and events.

• Opportunity for global collaboration with a diverse and international team.

• Career advancement opportunities within a fast-growing global organization.

• Internal mobility and job opportunities for career progression.