Chief Operations Officer (COO)

PERSOLKELLY Singapore Pte Ltd (Formerly Kelly Services Singapore Pte Ltd); Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Executive Leader to drive strategic initiatives and operational excellence within the banking sector. This role involves partnering with the CEO and executive team to translate high-level strategies into actionable goals while ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. You will lead HR operations, champion talent management, and oversee office administration to foster a productive work environment. If you possess exceptional leadership skills and a strong understanding of banking operations, this is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic organization.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in banking operations with a focus on regulatory frameworks.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills to manage multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO to develop strategic and operational plans for the bank.
• Oversee HR operations and ensure compliance with labor laws.
• Lead office administration and maintain operational readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory Compliance

Risk Management

Interpersonal Skills

Communication

Operational Control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Master’s degree or MBA

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Leadership Strategy

· Partner with the CEO and executive team to develop and implement the bank’s strategic and operational plans.

· Translate high-level strategy into actionable operational goals, KPIs, and performance metrics.

· Provide leadership and oversight to key operational functions to ensure consistent and high-quality execution.

· Lead cross-departmental projects to support growth, transformation, and innovation.

Regulatory Compliance, AML & KYC

· Lead and oversee all regulatory compliance activities, with a strong focus on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols.

· Ensure the bank meets all applicable local and international regulatory obligations.

· Work with Compliance to establish robust internal processes for due diligence, transaction monitoring, and reporting obligations.

· Maintain strong relationships with regulatory bodies and manage responses to audits, inspections, and reviews.

Human Resources & Talent Management

· Oversee HR operations including workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation and benefits, and employee relations.

· Ensure HR policies comply with labour laws and reflect best practices in people management and corporate culture.

· Champion leadership development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.

Office Operations & General Affairs

· Lead all office administration and general affairs functions including facilities management, procurement, vendor management, budgeting, and other administrative services.

· Maintain operational readiness, business continuity, and security across physical and digital infrastructures.

· Foster a work environment that is productive, secure, and conducive to employee well-being and operational efficiency.

Operational Excellence

· Implement best-in-class operational frameworks to drive efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness across departments.

· Analyze business processes and technology platforms, recommending improvements to enhance speed, accuracy, and customer experience.

· Ensure smooth integration and coordination across departments such as IT, finance, legal, compliance, and business units.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Law, or a related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.

· Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in banking operations.

· Demonstrated experience navigating regulatory frameworks within a financial institution.

· Strong understanding of banking operations, risk management, and operational control environments.

· Exceptional leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams.

· Effective communicator with the ability to influence at all levels and represent the institution with regulators, auditors, and stakeholders.

· Proficient in written and oral business Korean is essential to liaise effectively with Korean counterparts and prepare management reports for Parent Bank.