Lead Operations Officer

About the Role

Step into a pivotal leadership role as the Lead Operations Officer for a rapidly scaling E-Money Institution. You will shape the core operational framework, drive team excellence, and ensure daily workflows align seamlessly with strategic financial goals. If you thrive on optimizing complex processes, mentoring high-performing teams, and building scalable systems in a dynamic fintech environment, this is your opportunity to make a massive impact.

About the Client

Our partner is a fintech and payment services provider based in the EU. Licensed and regulated as an E-Money Institution, they offer consumer wallets and corporate accounts.

As their exclusive recruitment partner, we manage their full-cycle talent acquisition.

What You Will Do

• Lead and mentor the operations team, overseeing daily workflows and conducting impactful performance reviews to foster continuous professional growth.

• Serve as the senior escalation point for complex client queries and high-priority operational issues, driving swift resolutions alongside internal departments and third-party providers.

• Oversee the entire client onboarding lifecycle, acting as the critical final internal checkpoint before liaising with Compliance on high-value or complex due diligence cases.

• Superintend daily payment flows and SWIFT messaging, guaranteeing 100% accuracy and strict adherence to crucial cut-off times.

• Manage strategic relationships with Banking Partners to continuously optimize payment routes and resolve systemic operational queries.

• Own the Core System configuration, spearheading the implementation of new financial products, dynamic fee structures, and complex account setups.

• Draft and enforce best-in-class operations policies, procedures, and internal guidelines, conducting periodic reviews to ensure ongoing excellence.

• Supervise the first line of defence in AML/CFT transaction monitoring, ensuring your team precisely identifies and reports suspicious activities.

• Collaborate closely with Risk and Compliance leaders to design and deploy robust, forward-thinking mitigation strategies for operational risks.

• Identify and spearhead automation projects to eliminate manual inefficiencies, reduce operational costs, and scale the Institution effectively.

• Assist the Chief Operating Officer by delivering critical operational reports, KPIs, and data-driven insights to support high-level executive decision-making.

What You Bring

• Experience: 4–6 years of proven experience in financial services operations, including at least 1–2 years in a supervisory, senior, or leadership capacity.

• Education: A Bachelor's degree or higher in Finance, Banking, Business, or a closely related field.

• Technical Knowledge: Advanced understanding of global payment mechanisms, deep hands-on experience with SWIFT messaging, and strong familiarity with core banking architecture.

• Leadership Skills: The proven ability to lead, delegate effectively, mentor junior staff, and manage high-volume workloads under pressure.

• Regulatory Acumen: A comprehensive understanding of AML and CFT regulations and their practical application in daily fintech operations.

• Analytical Mindset: Strong capabilities to analyze complex data, identify underlying trends, and propose strategic, actionable process improvements.

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written English communication skills, with the confidence to present effectively to senior stakeholders.

• Agility & Ethics: An unwavering commitment to professional integrity, coupled with the agility to confidently lead a team through rapid organizational growth and change.

What's in It for You

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Private Health Insurance (provided after successful completion of the probation period).

• Work-Life Balance: 24 days of paid annual vacation to ensure you have time to rest and recharge.

• Premium Workspace: An attractive, modern office location equipped with top-tier facilities.

• Catered Perks: Daily breakfasts, Friday team lunches, and a fully stocked kitchen with snacks to keep you fueled.

• Vibrant Culture: Regular office events and engaging team-building activities designed to foster collaboration and celebrate success.

Please note: this role is fully onsite at the office in Birkirkara, Malta.