Chief Operating Officer (Based in Malaysia)

LMA RECRUITMENT SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 282,000 - 470,000; Full time

Job summary

LMA Recruitment Singapore Pte. Ltd. seeks an experienced Chief Operating Officer to lead strategic and operational execution for a Malaysian financial services organisation.

The role involves risk management, governance and regulatory compliance oversight under theBoard's strategy. The COO will oversee operations and corporate support functions while building a strong leadership team, maintaining regulatory relationships, and ensuring robust controls and resilience across the business.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in regulated financial services.
• Strong knowledge of Malaysia's financial services regulatory landscape.
• Experience overseeing multiple business and corporate functions, leading through senior department heads.
• Proven track record in governance, risk management, controls and business transformation.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Economics or related discipline; relevant professional qualifications will be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Board's strategy into execution, driving operational performance and priorities.
• Provide overall leadership across key areas including Equities, Derivatives, IUTA and Wealth Management.
• Oversee Operations, Finance, HR, Administration and Legal to align with business objectives.
• Drive efficiency, productivity, service quality and continuous process improvement.
• Strengthen operational risk management, internal controls and governance, addressing audit and compliance matters.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, Bursa Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia.
• Oversee business continuity, resilience, major projects and outsourcing arrangements.
• Lead talent development, succession planning and senior management capability.
• Provide timely updates to the Board on operations, finance, risk and strategy, with escalation as needed.
• Develop relationships with regulators, auditors and key stakeholders.
• Travel within Malaysia as required.

Skills

Senior leadership

Governance

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Economics or related discipline

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.

Company Reg No.: 201131609D | License No.: 24S2411 | Reg No:R21102223| Goh Choon Mui