Chief Operating Officer

ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer to join our team. As a pivotal executive leadership role, the COO will combine strong operational leadership with deep regulatory awareness to shape the organisation's operational strategy, resilience, and long-term success. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and holding the SMF24 Chief Operations Function under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR), the COO will play a central role in driving operational excellence and ensuring the organisation remains resilient, scalable, and well-positioned for future growth. WHAT YOU'LL DO As the approved holder of the SMF24 Chief Operations Function, you will: - Fulfil all SMF24 responsibilities in line with PRA and FCA requirements and expectations - Ensure the organisation's operational framework remains robust, well-controlled, and aligned with regulatory standards - Promote and uphold the principles of the Senior Manager Conduct Rules across the operational environment - Build and maintain trusted relationships with regulatory stakeholders You will also provide strategic leadership across the operational landscape, ensuring that processes, controls, and capabilities support the organisation's ambitions. Responsibilities include: - Maintaining oversight of core operational processes, systems, and controls across the business - Ensuring operational activities are efficient, scalable, and aligned with the firm's risk appetite - Driving operational effectiveness through ongoing improvement, innovation, and simplification - Providing leadership and oversight of the Operational Middle Office and associated operational functions - Leading and continually enhancing the firm's Operational Resilience Framework - Overseeing the identification and management of Important Business Services (IBS) and associated impact tolerances - Ensuring the business can continue to deliver critical services during severe but plausible disruption scenarios - Sponsor scenario testing, operational mapping, and remediation programmes - Maintaining oversight of business continuity planning, crisis management, and disaster recovery capabilities - Delivering meaningful insight and reporting to Executive and Board-level stakeholders GIVEN THE EXECUTIVE NATURE OF THIS ROLE, WE ARE OFFERING A REMOTE WORK ARRANGEMENT TO ALLOW THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE TO WORK FROM A LOCATION OF THEIR CHOICE. WHAT YOU'LL NEED - Extensive senior leadership experience in banking operations within a UK-regulated financial institution - Deep understanding of PRA/FCA regulatory frameworks, including SM&CR, operational resilience requirements, outsourcing rules, and conduct expectations - Demonstrable experience performing or directly supporting an SMF24 role - Strong expertise in operational resilience, business continuity, crisis management, and end-to-end operational process oversight - Proven experience managing an Operational Middle Office - Strong track record of involvement in IT projects, technology-enabled change, and operational transformation - Proven ability to manage operational risk within the first line of defence - Strong governance and committee experience with Board-level influence - Excellent leadership skills and ability to drive cultural change - Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving capabilities - Exceptional communication skills and ability to engage with regulators and senior stakeholders WHY REMOTE We offer the flexibility to work from a location of your choice, allowing you to maintain a healthy work-life balance and choose a location that suits your needs. BENEFITS - Up