Chief Operating Officer - Financial Services

Global Talent Search; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,438,000 - 2,301,000; Full time

Job summary

A COO role in a leading financial services organisation in Papua New Guinea partners with the CEO to steer enterprise-wide operations and drive growth. You will champion operational excellence, digital transformation and a culture of accountability across functions to deliver on strategic priorities.

You will lead major transformation programs, improve performance, and ensure strong governance, risk management and stakeholder engagement while developing leadership capability across the

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in banking or financial services.
• Proven track record in operational improvement and transformation.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide operational performance and service delivery.
• Drive transformation, technology and automation initiatives.
• Establish governance, compliance and risk management.
• Translate strategy into measurable operational outcomes.
• Act as CEO during periods of absence.

Skills

Senior leadership

Banking / Financial services

Regulatory environment

Strategic planning

Digital transformation

Education

MBA or CA

Job description

A leading financial services organisation in Papua New Guinea is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to partner with the Chief Executive Officer in leading enterprise-wide operations and driving the next phase of organisational growth.

This is a rare executive opportunity to join an established, profitable and highly respected financial services business focused on operational excellence, digital transformation and sustainable growth. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will play a pivotal role in translating strategy into disciplined execution, improving organisational performance and building a high-performing operational culture.

The Opportunity

This is far more than a traditional operational management role. You will provide executive leadership across multiple business functions, ensuring strategic priorities are successfully delivered through strong execution, accountability and continuous improvement.

Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, you will:

• Lead enterprise-wide operational performance and service delivery.
• Drive major business transformation, technology and automation initiatives.
• Improve organisational efficiency, customer outcomes and operational discipline.
• Develop leadership capability and build a culture of accountability.
• Establish and monitor key operational performance indicators.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across the organisation.
• Oversee significant operational and business improvement projects.
• Partner with the CEO to execute strategic priorities and organisational objectives.
• Ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance and risk management.
• Act as CEO during periods of absence.

About You

You are an experienced executive who combines strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on leadership style. You enjoy building high-performing teams, improving business performance and ensuring organisations consistently deliver on their commitments.

You will ideally possess:

• Significant senior leadership experience within banking, financial services, insurance or another regulated commercial environment.
• A proven track record of operational improvement and organisational transformation.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Experience leading technology-enabled change and process improvement.
• The ability to translate strategy into measurable operational outcomes.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to coach and develop senior leaders.
• High levels of integrity, resilience and sound judgement.
• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Commerce, Finance, Economics or Accounting. Postgraduate qualifications such as an MBA or CA will be highly regarded.

Why Apply?

This is an outstanding opportunity to make a genuine executive-level impact within one of Papua New Guinea's leading financial services organisations.

You will join a business with:

• A clear strategic direction and ambitious growth plans.
• A strong executive leadership team.
• Significant investment in technology and operational improvement.
• The opportunity to influence enterprise-wide strategy and execution.
• A broad leadership portfolio with genuine organisational impact.
• The chance to build capability, improve performance and leave a lasting legacy.

If you are an accomplished operational executive looking for a challenging and rewarding international leadership opportunity, we would welcome a confidential discussion.