Interim Chief Operating Officer, Payments

Brightwater Executive; Dublin; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightwater Executive is engaged on an interim Chief Operating Officer role for a regulated payments fintech, operating across multiple markets. The role focuses on robust operational oversight, regulatory readiness and external vendor oversight within an international matrix.

Ideal candidate brings senior experience in regulated payments, banking or fintech, with proven capability in leading cross-functional programmes and managing payment operations across diverse currencies and services.

Qualifications

• Substantial senior-level experience in regulated payments, banking, fintech or financial services.
• Experience in a senior operations, governance or control-function role within a regulated financial-services organisation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational execution and monitoring, continuity planning and incident management.
• Ensure regulatory preparedness of the entity’s payments and operations.
• Manage outsourcing, third-party risk, and vendor oversight across intragroup and external providers.
• Coordinate with CEO, Board and key groups to maintain a compliant operating model.

Skills

Payments/Fintech expertise

Senior operations leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Third-party risk

Program leadership

Job description

Brightwater Executive is delighted to be engaged exclusively on this interim Chief Operating Officer role. Joining a well know payments fintech organisation, operating across multiple markets this is a great opportunity for someone looking for their next interim C-Suite role.

Prior PCF holder (ideally PCF 42) with strong regulated payments expertise will be ideal.

Interim Chief Operating Officer (12-month FTC)

Reporting to:

Chief Executive Officer

This regulated European payment supports activities across different currencies, markets and payment methods. It operates within the financial-services regulatory framework, this COO will have a core remit of ensuring robust operational oversight of their operations, 3rd party and intragroup vendor partner oversight.

• The COO will hold responsibility for the effective operation, oversight and regulatory preparedness of the entity’s payments and operational activities.
• The remit covers operational execution and monitoring, continuity planning, operational resilience, outsourcing arrangements, incident management, regulatory interaction and oversight of external service providers.
• This position requires a senior leader who can operate within a complex international matrix while retaining accountability for the regulated entity’s local operating model. The COO will work closely with the CEO, Board, payments specialists, Legal, Risk, Technology and Security, Internal Audit, Compliance and relevant group functions.
• The successful candidate will assume the responsibilities and accountabilities of the existing role-holder for the agreed period, subject to all required internal appointment, legal and regulatory approval processes.

The Ideal Candidate:

Substantial senior-level experience in regulated payments, banking, fintech or financial services, together with the judgement, credibility and leadership needed to lead a regulated entity during temporary cover.

• A minimum of eight years’ relevant experience across e-commerce, fintech, banking, payments or financial services. Previous experience in a senior operations, business, governance or control-function position within a regulated financial-services organisation.
• Experience working with a national financial-services regulator, or an equivalent supervisory authority, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrable success leading and coordinating large, complex and cross-functional programmes.
• Strong practical knowledge of payment operations, including incoming payments, outgoing payments, movement of funds and payment-service operating models.
• Experience interpreting industry and regulatory change and converting requirements into workable operational measures. Overseeing outsourcing, third-party risk, business continuity, operational resilience, incident management and regulatory remediation.