Head of Business Operations

About the role

This position serves as the UK Chief Operating Officer, bridging the gap between high-level strategy and daily execution. You will act as a key integrator within a lean local leadership team, working directly with the local CEO to refine the operating model and drive progress across global departments. In this capacity, you will own the end-to-end operational workflow from strategic intent to market delivery, ensuring that long-term visions are translated into actionable and sustainable practices. You will be responsible for establishing the foundational structures that allow the business to scale efficiently while maintaining rigorous standards of governance and accountability. The role requires a unique blend of strategic foresight and operational discipline to align people, processes, and technology toward a unified commercial outcome. You will be expected to challenge the status quo, identify systemic inefficiencies, and implement robust frameworks that enhance clarity, speed, and execution across the entire UK entity.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the development of the UK operating model by defining end-to-end processes for strategic planning, organizational design, and market positioning.
• Convert ambiguous high-level goals into concrete execution plans, establishing operational rhythms, clear ownership, and measurable milestones for the business.
• Monitor critical operational KPIs related to regulatory readiness, delivery speed, customer outcomes, and cost efficiency to inform data-driven decisions.
• Support the local CEO in prioritizing competing initiatives and actively managing cross-functional dependencies to ensure timely market delivery.
• Assist in developing the commercial strategy by analyzing client acquisition funnels and identifying structured revenue growth opportunities.
• Manage day-to-day delivery across multiple workstreams, diagnosing root causes of delays and resolving operational bottlenecks directly with stakeholders.
• Establish robust governance structures and operational processes to support licensing applications and ongoing regulatory requirements.
• Partner closely with Legal, Compliance, and Risk teams to embed regulatory standards into core workflows and maintain an up-to-date risk register.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering teams to define the UK-specific product roadmap, ensuring features are tailored for local market suitability and user needs.
• Utilize data analytics and AI tools to enhance executive decision-making and optimize the performance of the client funnel from awareness to conversion.
• Represent the business in key industry discussions and maintain constructive relationships with external stakeholders, including regulators and partners.
• Drive the design and implementation of performance management frameworks to align teams around shared operational objectives.
• Own the coordination of critical projects, ensuring that timelines, resources, and dependencies are managed with a high degree of transparency.
• Act as the central point for operational reporting, synthesizing complex information into clear narratives for the leadership team.

Requirements

• Possess 5 to 10+ years of cumulative experience in operations and strategy roles within crypto, digital assets, fintech, or regulated financial services.
• Hold a proven track record in leadership positions such as Head of Operations, Head of Strategy, COO, or Chief of Staff in a high-growth environment.
• Demonstrate a strong capacity to navigate complex regulatory environments and consistently align operational workflows with compliance standards.
• Show a strong track record of cross-functional coordination, managing global stakeholders to achieve defined local objectives and deliverables.
• Have direct experience in designing organizational structures and operational governance frameworks specifically within fast-scaling businesses.
• Exhibit a high level of ownership and accountability, with the ability to operate effectively with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities.
• Bring a deep understanding of operational risk management and the ability to implement controls that mitigate potential issues proactively.
• Communicate with precision and influence, adapting your style to suit executives, regulators, and cross-functional partners with equal competence.

Nice to have

• Experience working closely with Legal, Compliance, and Risk teams in regulated financial services.
• Familiarity with crypto market dynamics, digital asset infrastructure, and the specific challenges of licensing in the UK.
• A background in utilizing data and AI tools to enhance business performance and decision-making.
• Prior involvement in commercial strategy development and client acquisition initiatives within a B2B context.

Practical notes

• All operational expansion, product launches, and strategic implementations are subject to necessary regulatory approvals and legal requirements.
• The role requires a hands-on approach to both high-level planning and granular execution.