Chief Operating Officer

Our partner is looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) based in Italy. As Chief Operating Officer, you will play a pivotal role in building and leading the operational infrastructure of a new international crypto-fiat digital banking venture. You will oversee the development of the business's operating model, ensuring efficient financial operations, reliable payment processes, and scalable service delivery. Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, you will establish the systems, controls, and procedures required to support a successful market launch and sustainable growth. Your responsibilities will span customer onboarding, payment processing, banking partnerships, operational risk management, and team development. Combining strategic oversight with hands‐on execution, you will build a lean, high‐performing organization while maintaining strong operational standards. This is a unique opportunity to shape a financial services business from the ground up, backed by experienced technology entrepreneurs and operating in the fast-evolving digital finance and cryptocurrency ecosystem. Accountabilities Design, establish, and implement the overall operating model for a new crypto-fiat digital banking and financial services business. Oversee daily operations, including customer onboarding, payment processing, transaction workflows, and end‐to‐end service delivery for both B2B and B2C customers. Develop and implement robust operational procedures covering settlements, financial reconciliation, exception handling, dispute resolution, and operational reporting. Coordinate with compliance and risk management specialists to establish effective KYC/AML processes, internal controls, transaction monitoring procedures, and regulatory compliance frameworks. Build and manage strategic relationships with banking institutions, payment providers, card issuers, and other financial services partners, ensuring reliable operational arrangements. Establish operational KPIs, service‐level standards, escalation procedures, and management reporting systems to monitor performance and identify improvement opportunities. Recruit, lead, and develop a lean operations team, establishing clear responsibilities, efficient workflows, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Identify process inefficiencies, implement practical solutions, and continuously improve operational performance as transaction volumes and customer requirements evolve. Collaborate with commercial, product, and executive leadership to support business launches, new product developments, customer acquisition initiatives, and international market expansion. Requirements Proven senior‐level leadership experience in operations within crypto banking, crypto‐fiat financial services, or crypto‐enabled neobanking. Demonstrated success establishing, managing, or scaling financial operations, ideally within an early‐stage business, startup, or rapidly growing financial services organization. Strong practical understanding of payment operations, transaction processing, settlement procedures, financial reconciliation, card services, and customer onboarding. Experience managing relationships and operational arrangements with banking partners, payment providers, card issuers, and other financial institutions. Working knowledge of KYC/AML operational processes, transaction monitoring, internal controls, and regulatory requirements applicable to financial services, with experience collaborating closely with compliance and risk specialists. Experience defining and monitoring operational KPIs, service levels, budgets, and performance management frameworks. Proven ability to manage cross‐functional stakeholders and align operational priorities with broader commercial and business objectives. Strong organizational, problem‐solving, and decision‐making skills, particularly in fast‐moving and evolving business environments. Demonstrated experience recruiting, developing, and motivating compact, high‐performing teams. Excellent communication and relationship‐building skills, with the ability to work effectively with executives, external partners, and international stakeholders. Benefits Competitive and flexible compensation: Attractive, individually tailored remuneration package, negotiable according to experience, expertise, and profile. Performance‐based incentives: Equity and profit participation: Potential profit‐sharing or equity participation, to be discussed as part of an individualized compensation package. Take ownership of building the operational foundations of a new international crypto‐fiat financial services business from the ground up. Experienced investment backing: Join a venture supported by established technology entrepreneurs with a proven track record of building and scaling international businesses. Shape operational strategy, establish processes, recruit your team, and directly influence