Chief Operating Officer (COO) – UK

Antal International Network; United Kingdom; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is on the lookout for a dynamic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to spearhead the operational strategy for its UK banking operations. In this pivotal role, you will oversee daily operations, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and drive business transformation initiatives. Your leadership will be crucial in enhancing operational resilience and mitigating risks, including financial crime prevention. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a forward-thinking organization that values innovation and operational excellence. If you have a strong background in banking operations and a passion for strategic leadership, this role is tailored for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in banking operations with 5+ years at senior management or COO level.
• Deep knowledge of UK banking regulations and operational risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational strategy and execution for UK banking operations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies.
• Drive business transformation initiatives for operational efficiency.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Leadership

Operational Risk Management

Business Transformation

Financial Crime Prevention

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO) – UK

Location: United Kingdom

Salary: Competitive Salary Package + Benefits

Job Purpose:

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the operational strategy and execution for our UK banking operations. As a member of the executive leadership team, the COO will be responsible for overseeing daily operations, ensuring operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and aligning operational initiatives with the strategic goals of the Board and CEO. This role plays a critical part in the First Line of Defence for Operational Risk and Financial Crime prevention, including AML.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Translate Board-level strategic direction into operational execution, driving delivery of the Strategic Business Plan.
• Design, implement, and optimise operations strategies, policies, and procedures to enable sustainable business growth.
• Lead business transformation initiatives and continuous improvement to enhance operational efficiency.
• Ensure the organisation’s operations comply with internal policies, regulatory standards, and industry best practices.
• Oversee the firm’s day-to-day operations and systems infrastructure to support scalability and effective risk management.
• Drive the development and execution of the firm’s Operational Resilience Framework, including business continuity and incident response.
• Lead the ongoing improvement of operational risk frameworks, governance, and internal controls across the bank.
• Ensure robust outsourcing and third-party risk management, including due diligence, monitoring, and exit planning.

Cross-functional & Supplier Management

• Provide executive oversight of end-to-end transaction processing across key business units.
• Liaise with Compliance, Credit Risk, KYC, AML, and other control functions to ensure integrated risk mitigation.
• Develop strong partnerships with critical suppliers to ensure delivery of business-critical services, including resilience testing and incident resolution.
• Lead supplier risk governance, from onboarding to performance review and continuity planning.
• Build and lead high-performing operations teams across the organisation.
• Set and monitor KPIs, ensure professional development, and create a culture focused on performance, compliance, and innovation.
• Promote a culture of risk awareness, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.

Governance & Reporting

• Serve as the executive lead for reporting on operational performance, resilience, and risk to the Board and executive committees.
• Oversee the preparation of operational MI, Board papers, and regulatory reports.
• Ensure governance frameworks are adhered to in all operational matters.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years’ leadership experience in banking operations, with at least 5 years at a senior management or COO level.
• Deep knowledge of UK banking regulations, operational risk, and financial crime prevention.
• Proven experience in driving business transformation, operational resilience, and third-party risk oversight.
• Strategic Thinking & Execution
• Leadership & People Management
• Resilience Planning & Incident Management