Head of Operations

Financial House; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Financial House in London is seeking a hands-on Head of Operations to lead day-to-day operations across client IBAN issuing, payment processing and account activities. The role requires strong experience in fintech or payments, with a proven ability to manage banking relationships and ensure compliant, efficient processing.

You will work closely with Compliance, Risk, and Finance to scale operations, implement robust controls, and optimize end-to-end processes.

Qualifications

• Proven operations experience within a fintech or payments company.
• Hands-on experience managing IBANs, payment processing or client account operations.
• Experience dealing with correspondent banks, banking partners or payment institutions on operational matters.
• Experience in senior payments or operations roles such as Head of Operations, Payments Manager or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day operational activities across the business.
• Manage the operational lifecycle of client IBAN issuing and account services, supporting a portfolio of clients.
• Oversee client transactions and ensure payments are processed accurately, efficiently and in line with internal procedures.
• Review and approve operational requests and transactions within internal controls and approval frameworks.
• Act as a key point of contact for correspondent banks and payment partners, managing day-to-day communication.
• Maintain relationships with banking partners and ensure issues are resolved promptly.
• Monitor client and account activity, escalate unusual operational matters when needed.
• Work with Compliance, Risk and Finance to ensure smooth end-to-end processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational processes, controls and efficiency.

Skills

Operations leadership

Fintech/payments domain

IBAN operations

Payment processing

Client account operations

Stakeholder management

Risk & governance

Process improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Hands-on leadership

Job description

Head of Operations – Fintech & Payments

City of London - Hybrid Working

We are looking for an experienced and hands‑on Head of Operations to join a growing London-based fintech as it continues to expand its payments and financial services business.

This is a key operational leadership role with responsibility for managing day‑to‑day operations across client IBAN issuing, payment processing and client account activities, while ensuring transactions are processed efficiently, documentation is complete and accurate, and strong relationships are maintained with banking and payment partners.

The successful candidate will bring strong operational experience from a fintech or payments environment, together with hands‑on knowledge of payment operations, IBANs and banking relationships.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Lead and oversee day‑to‑day operational activities across the business.
• Manage the operational lifecycle of client IBAN issuing and account services, supporting a portfolio of clients.
• Oversee client transactions and ensure payments are processed accurately, efficiently and in line with internal procedures.
• Request, review and validate relevant client documentation and supporting information.
• Review and approve operational requests and transactions within appropriate internal controls and approval frameworks.
• Act as a key point of contact for correspondent banks, banking partners and payment institutions, managing day‑to‑day operational communication.
• Maintain strong relationships with banking and payment partners and ensure operational matters are resolved promptly.
• Monitor client and account activity, escalating issues or unusual operational matters where appropriate.
• Support good‑standing requirements across client relationships and banking arrangements.
• Work closely with Compliance, Risk, Finance and other internal teams to ensure smooth end‑to‑end operational processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational processes, controls and efficiency as the business scales.
• Develop and maintain clear operational procedures and ensure they are consistently followed.
• Provide regular operational updates and reporting to senior management.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven operations experience within a fintech or payments company.
• Hands‑on experience managing IBANs, payment processing or client account operations.
• Experience dealing directly with correspondent banks, banking partners or payment institutions on operational matters.
• Experience in a senior payments or operations role such as Head of Operations, Payments Manager, Payments Operations Manager or similar.
• Strong experience reviewing and managing client documentation and transaction‑related requirements.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong understanding of operational controls, risk and governance.
• Ability to make sound decisions and take ownership of operational matters from start to finish.
• Strong communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced and growing fintech environment.
• A hands‑on and pragmatic approach, with the ability to balance operational efficiency with strong controls and governance.

Desirable

• Previous experience within an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), Payment Institution (PI) or similar regulated payments business.
• Experience managing IBAN issuing or similar account‑based financial products.
• Existing relationships or experience working with correspondent banking partners.
• Experience within a UK‑regulated fintech or payments environment.

Applicants should be London‑based or able to work regularly from London.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced fintech/payments operations professional to take ownership of a key operational function within an ambitious and growing business.