Operations Senior Manager / Manager

Cobo; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobo Hong Kong is seeking a senior operations leader to shape and run the regulatory-ready operating foundation for its SFC MIC – Operational Control and Review function. You will ensure robust governance, client asset protection, and scalable processes as the business grows in a regulated environment.

Lead end-to-end custody and operational controls, oversee vendor governance, and drive incident response, business continuity, and regulatory readiness in collaboration with Product, Engineering,

Qualifications

• Experience in regulated financial environment and leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of SFC MIC regime and AML/CFT.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into scalable processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational governance and controls for HK regulated business.
• Own licensing readiness, inspections, and regulatory engagements.
• Manage policies, procedures, control docs, and management reporting.
• Oversee client asset safeguarding, wallet ops, and reconciliation.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business, Finance, Technology, Operations

Job description

You will shape and lead the operational foundation of Cobo's Hong Kong regulated business. Serving as the proposed SFC MIC – Operational Control and Review, you will be accountable for operational governance, client asset protection, custody operations, and regulatory readiness, ensuring controls remain effective as the business scales.

Success in this role means delivering a licensing-ready operating model, embedding robust operational controls and governance, and building a resilient operations function that meets the expectations of regulators, clients, and the business.

Role Responsibilities:

• Serve as the proposed MIC – Operational Control and Review, accountable for operational governance and internal controls.
• Lead operational readiness for SFC licensing, inspections, remediation, and regulatory engagements.
• Own operational policies, procedures, control documentation, evidence packs, and management reporting.
• Report operational risks, incidents, and control effectiveness to senior management and the Board.

Operations & Custody

• Own the end-to-end operating model covering client onboarding, deposits, withdrawals, reconciliations, record keeping, and exception management.
• Design and strengthen maker-checker controls, segregation of duties, service standards, and operational KPIs.
• Oversee operational controls for client asset safeguarding, wallet operations, virtual asset transfers, and reconciliation processes.
• Support operational readiness for new products, blockchain networks, and process changes.
• Lead operational risk management, incident response, business continuity, and disaster recovery planning.
• Ensure timely investigation, remediation, and regulatory escalation of operational incidents.
• Oversee governance of critical vendors and outsourced service providers while maintaining regulatory accountability.
• Support internal audits, external assessments, cybersecurity reviews, and financial audits.

Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing Hong Kong operations team with strong ownership and execution.
• Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Security, Wallet, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Finance, and Commercial teams across the Cobo Group.
• Translate regulatory requirements into practical, scalable operational processes that can be consistently executed and evidenced.

Role Requirements

Required Experience

• At least 3+ years of operations, custody, or operational risk experience, with leadership experience in a regulated financial institution.
• Hands-on experience within an SFC-licensed corporation, licensed exchange, custodian, bank, regulated fintech, or virtual asset platform.
• Direct involvement in SFC licensing, inspections, supervisory engagements, regulatory remediation, or incident reporting.
• Strong operational knowledge of digital asset custody, deposits and withdrawals, wallet operations, reconciliations, and client asset safeguarding.

Knowledge & Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the SFO, AMLO, VATP Guidelines, SFC MIC regime, and regulatory expectations for operational controls and AML/CFT.
• Proven experience designing and operating controls within highly regulated, high-availability environments.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in Business, Finance, Technology, Operations, or a related field.

Preferred

• Previous appointment as an MIC, COO, Head of Operations, or equivalent senior operations leader in an SFC-regulated institution or licensed VATP.
• Experience with institutional digital asset custody, MPC/HSM wallet operations, regulatory assessments, and operational resilience.
• Experience working across global product and engineering organizations.
• Comfortable operating in an AI-native environment, leveraging AI tools to improve decision-making, productivity, and operational excellence.