Director of Operations

About the Client
International fintech company in the payments sector, growing rapidly and building a UK Principal (EMI) from scratch. The company focuses on safe, scalable operations and compliance with FCA regulations, combining innovative systems with operational excellence.

Role Overview
You will lead the launch and daily operations of the UK Principal, ensuring processes, systems, and teams are fully integrated. Your work will directly impact the company's ability to operate safely, scale efficiently, and meet regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Build strong working relationships with the Board of Directors and report regularly.

• Ensure compliance with FCA regulations, preparing documents and responding to inquiries.

• Oversee operational processes to meet EMI licensing requirements.

• Select and implement core systems (payment gateway, monitoring, reporting, CRM, fraud detection).

• Develop company process maps, internal policies, and operational controls.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams: compliance, IT, product, finance, and business.

• Hire and manage key operational staff, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities.

Requirements

• Proven experience launching or managing EMI or PI in the UK.

• Deep understanding of FCA regulations, licensing, and audits.

• Hands-on experience implementing IT, compliance, and finance systems.

• Ability to build a business from scratch, balancing strategy and detail.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills; able to explain complex topics clearly.

Key Soft Skills

• Hands-on, result-oriented, structured, and adaptable.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

• Able to prioritize effectively across multiple projects.

• Comfortable working independently while keeping leadership informed.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape the operations of a UK Principal from the ground up.

• Leadership over cross-functional teams and strategic projects.

• Exposure to regulatory and operational best practices in fintech.

• Competitive compensation with clear performance incentives.

Build a UK Principal from scratch Lead operations, integrate teams, select systems, implement automation, and ensure FCA compliance. Hands-on role with real impact and visible results 

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