Head of Operations / COO

A financial institution in Hong Kong seeks a Head of Operations / Chief Operating Officer to partner with the CEO in translating high-level vision into a scalable, resilient, and future-ready operating model.

Key responsibilities:

As Head of Operations / COO, you will lead the "Change-the-Bank" (CtB) agenda while ensuring "Run-the-Bank" (RtB) operations meet the highest standards of regulatory excellence and technological agility.

• Strategic Transformation & Innovation: Lead digital workflow re-engineering using GenAI/ML to automate processes, enhance client onboarding/KYC, and drive adoption of emerging capital markets technologies
• Operational Excellence & Resilience: Build resilient operating models, enable cross-functional alignment and liquidity optimisation, and oversee scalable IT, facilities, and procurement infrastructure
• Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC): Embed real-time governance, strengthen risk and regulatory frameworks, and partner with Finance on capital allocation and cost efficiency
• Leadership & Talent Strategy: Drive agile talent deployment and foster continuous upskilling to enable teams to work effectively with AI and data-driven tools

Candidate profile:

To excel in this role, you bring investment banking operations experience, expertise in digital transformation and governance, and strong leadership in stakeholder management and operational scaling.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Technology required; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred
• Expertise: Proven experience in investment banking operations with a strong track record of leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives
• Tech Savvy: Deep understanding of AI governance, data management, and the application of emerging technologies in financial services, including trade finance
• Leadership: Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to engage senior leaders and drive cross-functional alignment across complex organisations

About the company:

A leading Asia-based market infrastructure group providing trading, clearing, and settlement services that support regional capital markets and major listings. It offers an innovation-driven environment focused on digital transformation, global connectivity, and long-term career growth.

Keywords: operations, strategic transformation, GRC, operational excellence, financial services

What’s next:

Join a market-shaping platform driving the future of Asia’s capital markets. Apply now!