Chief Operating Officer (Based in Malaysia)

LMA Recruitment; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

LMA Recruitment is assisting in finding a Chief Operating Officer for an established Malaysian financial services organisation. The COOs role encompasses strategic and operational leadership, aligning the board’s strategy with execution, and managing governance, risk and regulatory compliance.

The COO will lead across core business operations and corporate support functions, including engagement with regulators, auditors and senior management, with travel within Malaysia as needed.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in regulated financial services environments.
• Strong understanding of Malaysia’s financial services regulatory landscape.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple business and corporate functions.
• Track record in operations, governance, risk management, controls and transformation.
• Commercial acumen balancing growth, efficiency and risk.
• Strong Board-level communication and stakeholder management.
• Hands-on leadership with high integrity and judgement.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Board’s strategy into execution and drive performance.
• Provide leadership across Equities, Derivatives, IUTA and Wealth Management.
• Oversee Operations, Finance, HR, Administration and Legal.
• Drive operational efficiency, service quality and process improvement.
• Strengthen risk management, internal controls and governance.
• Ensure compliance with Bursa Malaysia and Securities Commission requirements.
• Lead talent development and succession planning.

Skills

Senior leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Board communication

Operations governance

Risk management

Leadership integrity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Business/Accounting/Economics

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic and operational leadership for an established financial services organisation in Malaysia.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the effective execution of the Board's strategy, overseeing key business and support functions, and ensuring strong operational governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.

The COO will work closely with the Board, senior management and regulators, while leading a broad organisation across business operations and corporate support functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate the Board's strategy into effective execution, driving operational performance and organisational priorities.


• Provide overall leadership and oversight across key business areas including Equities, Derivatives, IUTA and Wealth Management.


• Oversee key support functions including Operations, Finance, HR, Administration and Legal, ensuring strong alignment with business objectives.


• Drive operational efficiency, productivity, service quality and continuous process improvement.


• Strengthen operational risk management, internal controls and governance, ensuring timely resolution of audit, risk and compliance matters.


• Ensure the organisation operates in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and regulatory requirements, including Bursa Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia.


• Oversee business continuity, operational resilience, major projects, outsourcing arrangements and key service providers.


• Lead organisational development, manpower planning, talent development and succession planning, while building a strong senior management team.


• Provide the Board with timely updates on operational, financial, risk and strategic matters, including recommendations and escalation of material issues.


• Develop strong relationships with regulators, auditors and other key stakeholders.


• Travel within Malaysia as required to support business and operational priorities.

Ideal Profile

• Senior leadership experience within securities, capital markets, investment management, wealth management, banking or another regulated financial services environment.


• Strong understanding of Malaysia's financial services regulatory landscape, with exposure to Bursa Malaysia and/or Securities Commission requirements.


• Proven experience overseeing multiple business and corporate functions, with the ability to lead through senior department heads.


• Strong track record in operations, governance, risk management, controls and business transformation.


• Commercially astute with the ability to balance business growth, operational efficiency and risk.


• Strong Board-level communication, stakeholder management and decision-making skills.


• A credible, collaborative and hands-on leader with high integrity and sound judgement.


• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Economics or a related discipline; relevant professional qualifications will be an advantage.