Chief Operating Officer (Based in Malaysia)

LMA Recruitment Limited; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

LMA Recruitment Limited seeks an experienced Chief Operating Officer to steer strategic and operational performance for a leading financial services group in Malaysia. You will translate board strategy into execution, oversee governance, risk management and regulatory compliance across functions.

Reporting to the Board, you will lead senior management, manage cross‑functional operations, finance, HR and legal, and build a high‑integrity leadership team while ensuring regulatory alignment with

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in regulated financial services.
• Strong understanding of Malaysia's regulatory landscape including Bursa Malaysia and the Securities Commission.
• Proven oversight of multiple business and corporate functions with senior department heads.
• Strong track record in governance, risk management, controls and business transformation.
• Commercial acumen with ability to balance growth, efficiency and risk.
• Strong Board-level communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Board's strategy into effective execution, driving operational performance and organisational priorities.
• Provide overall leadership across key business areas including Equities, Derivatives, IUTA and Wealth Management.
• Oversee key support functions including Operations, Finance, HR, Administration and Legal, ensuring 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.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory know-how

Governance

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Education

Finance degree

Business degree

Accounting degree

Economics degree

Professional qualifications

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.