General Manager - UK

swan.io; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Swan is seeking a General Manager to lead its UK operations. You will establish a new branch, set up operations, and drive business growth in the UK FinTech ecosystem. This role requires a strong leader with deep regulatory knowledge and hands-on experience in launching businesses.

Qualifications

• 6–10 years of experience in product or business launches within the UK FinTech sector.
• Hands-on in building from scratch, regulatory approvals.
• Strong leader with a track record in launching and scaling businesses.

Responsibilities

• Establish the UK branch, set up operations, and drive business development.
• Support compliance and regulatory requirements for FCA authorization.
• Recruit, train, and manage the local team.

Skills

Strategic Vision

Leadership

Regulatory Knowledge

Business Development

Financial Management

Customer Focus

Adaptability

Negotiation Skills

Job description

About

Swan is Europe’s embedded banking specialist. We empower software companies to embed banking features like accounts, cards, and payments directly into their products, under their own brand. Swan processes over €1.5 billion in monthly transactions for more than 150 companies—like Pennylane, Indy, Agicap, Libeo, and Lucca. Founded in 2019, the company has received growth capital from leading investors such as Lakestar, Accel, Creandum, Bpifrance, and Eight Roads. Swan is a principal member of Mastercard and a licensed financial institution, regulated by the French banking authority (ACPR).

Our mission

Banking belongs in business software

Many software companies already serve small businesses incredibly well: helping them send invoices, run payroll, manage inventory, and more. They’re on a mission to become the central hub for managing every aspect of business life.

But when it comes to financial workflows, there’s still a gap. Too many critical tasks like managing cash flow, tracking payments, or reconciling accounts happen outside the software, across spreadsheets, email threads, banking portals.

It’s a missed opportunity. Business software shouldn’t just record financial activity — it should run it.

To learn more about us: About Swan ; Our story.

Job description

Swan is heading to the UK and needs a leader to establish our presence and drive growth in the UK FinTech ecosystem.

We are seeking a General Manager based in London to lead the launch and growth of our UK branch. You will be responsible for establishing the branch from scratch, setting up operations, assisting the AMLRO in obtaining the full license, hiring the local team, driving business development (sales and account management), and ensuring alignment with the European entity—all in preparation for a Q1 2026 launch.

As an Electronic Money Institution, Swan faces numerous product, legal, and regulatory challenges, including explaining embedded finance to partners, localizing products, combating money laundering, protecting client funds, and collaborating with legitimate partners.

Main Tasks:

• Gain full authorization: Support the AMLRO by providing expertise on payments and safeguarding to obtain FCA authorization, initially with restrictions, then lifting them.
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the UK branch’s business strategy, ensuring alignment with Swan’s overall vision. Lead the setup of infrastructure, operational strategy, and oversee corporate obligations with European leadership.
• Business Development: Identify opportunities, onboard first UK customers, and build relationships with key ecosystem players (e.g., thought leaders, officials, partners).
• Operations Management: Oversee daily operations, localize European processes, and report on performance.
• Sponsor Bank Management: Manage relationships with the sponsor bank, validate safeguarding processes, and participate in UK rails once authorized.
• Compliance and Regulation: Support FCA approval, ensure local compliance, adapt Swan’s use cases to UK regulations, and stay updated on regulatory changes.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and manage the team, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. The team will expand as the business grows.
• Financial Management: Manage the branch’s budget, monitor financial performance, and report to senior management.
• Product Development and Innovation: Collaborate with product teams to incorporate UK-specific requirements.
• Marketing and Branding: Work with marketing to develop strategies and increase brand visibility in the UK.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate operational risks, ensuring a comprehensive risk framework.

Preferred experience

You’re a great match if:

• You have 6–10 years of experience in product or business launches within the UK FinTech sector, aiming for a Head of or VP role.
• You are hands-on, capable of building from scratch—from launching operations and hiring to securing regulatory approvals.
• You possess strategic vision, can define and communicate market plans, and align them with European strategies.
• You are a strong leader, inspiring and developing high-performing teams.
• You have deep knowledge of payments, compliance, and regulations, turning constraints into opportunities.
• You are financially savvy, experienced in managing budgets, forecasts, and P&L.
• You are customer-focused, leveraging feedback to improve products and relationships.
• You are adaptable, proactive, and have a successful track record in launching and scaling businesses.
• You are a clear communicator and skilled negotiator, able to secure deals and explain complex ideas.

Don’t worry if you don’t meet all criteria—apply anyway!

Swan is committed to diversity and an inclusive work environment, welcoming all backgrounds and perspectives.

About Swan

Our values:

Swan’s core values guide our daily actions:

Simplicity: Making complex things simple.

Long Term: Supporting growth and climate commitments.

Excellence: Delivering high-quality banking services.

Be Human: Acting with kindness and integrity, caring for broader issues.

Learn more about our culture.