About the job
We are seeking an experienced COO to join our executive team at a fast-growing digital banking company. The ideal candidate will lead both operational and technical strategy and delivery, ensuring cross-functional excellence across Legal, HR, Accounting, Technology, and General Operations. This role demands a strong blend of strategic oversight, regulatory acumen, and technical leadership to enable scalable, compliant, and innovative solutions.
Responsibilities:
Operational & Delivery Leadership
» Lead cross-functional execution of tech-enabled banking projects (SaaS, implementation, consulting).
» Resolve delivery bottlenecks across engineering, product, support, and client success teams.
» Track and improve operational KPIs: delivery margins, resolution times, uptime, compliance metrics.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
» Act as the primary technical and operational liaison with client stakeholders.
» Ensure strategic alignment between execution and business objectives.
» Translate technical concepts into business insights for executive communication.
» Maintain a strong on-site presence to build trust and gather real-time feedback.
Compliance & Risk Management
» Enforce operational risk controls including compliance checks, incident response, and regulatory reporting.
» Lead governance and legal coordination, ensuring contractual and licensing compliance.
» Drive readiness for certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS) to enable enterprise engagement.
Technology Strategy & Architecture
» Define and maintain the technical vision, ensuring scalability, security, and maintainability.
» Evaluate and select platforms and tools to meet business and delivery needs.
» Promote DevOps, agile, and CI/CD practices for efficient development and deployment.
» Drive innovation and continuous improvement within engineering and delivery teams.
Global Team Leadership
» Lead multicultural teams of engineers, architects, QA, and delivery managers across time zones.
» Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous learning.
» Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across geographies.
Resource Planning & Talent Development
» Allocate internal talent based on business priorities, skills, and delivery pipelines.
» Build a talent engine by leading upskilling, mentorship, and retention programs.
» Structure teams to support hybrid models (SaaS + consulting) and long-term growth.
Strategic Growth & Alliances
» Design and refine infrastructure to support secure, scalable digital banking products.
» Integrate AI and automation in workflows like KYC, fraud detection, and loan origination.
» Forge strategic alliances with fintech, vendors, and consulting firms to scale delivery.
» Lead co-delivery and consortium-based transformation deals.
Reporting & Communication
» Provide structured, data-driven updates to leadership and stakeholders.
» Maintain clear documentation of designs, decisions, risks, and performance metrics.
» Ensure transparent communication and alignment across all organizational levels.
Qualifications:
» Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, Law, or related field; MBA or equivalent is a major plus.
» 10+ years of experience in senior operational leadership roles, preferably in digital banking, fintech, or financial services.
» Proven experience in the GCC market, with a strong understanding of KSA business and regulatory landscape.
» Demonstrated success in building, leading, and scaling operational teams.
» Strong familiarity with SAMA regulations, compliance standards, and digital banking operations.
» Exceptional leadership, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
» Fluent in English and Arabic.
