Chief Operating / Information Officer

The Chief Operating Officer/Chief Information Officer (COO/CIO) position at Owl Payments Europe Ltd (OPEL) is responsible for overseeing the operational and information technology services of the company. This includes providing strategic direction and support for operational resilience, IT systems design and development, and ensuring alignment with OPEL's business objectives. The COO/CIO will also be responsible for managing outsourcing arrangements, establishing IT security policies and controls, and monitoring industry trends and emerging technologies. This role plays a crucial part in OPEL's ongoing expansion goals and requires a senior professional with a strong background in financial services and technology.

• Manage OPEL's day-to-day operations and embed operational strategies, policies, and develop and maintain business Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS)
• Own OPEL's outsourcing arrangements and develop structures and mechanisms to oversee, monitor, and assess the appropriateness and performance of the firm's outsourcing framework, including outsourcing arrangements and associated outsourcing risks.
• Manage relationships with technology vendors and service providers, ensuring the effective selection, negotiation, and oversight of services.
• Develop and implement strategy for information technology matters, including information security.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies, assessing their potential impact on the organization and recommending strategic investments in technology.
• Maintain a Business Continuity Plan and manage operational resilience.
• Coordinate the implementation of IT security policies, respond to incidents, and establish appropriate standards and controls.
• Oversee IT vulnerability assessments and remediation efforts.
• Responsible for the firm's outsourcing framework, ensuring appropriate oversight and assessing and managing outsourcing risks in accordance with regulatory and board requirements.

• Strong background in financial services and technology
• Experience in operational and information technology services
• Strategic direction and support for operational resilience and IT systems design, development, and operation
• Coordination of IT security policies, incident response, and establishment of standards and controls
• Oversight of IT vulnerability assessments and remediation efforts
• Management of outsourcing framework and assessment of outsourcing risks
• Experience in managing day-to-day operations and developing business Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Ability to oversee and assess the appropriateness and performance of outsourcing arrangements
• Relationship management with technology vendors and service providers
• Knowledge and implementation of information security strategies
• Monitoring of industry trends and emerging technologies for strategic investments
• Familiarity with Business Continuity Planning

• Manage OPEL's day-to-day operations and embed operational strategies
• Develop and maintain business Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS)
• Own OPEL's outsourcing arrangements and develop structures and mechanisms to oversee, monitor, and assess the appropriateness and performance of the firm's outsourcing framework
• Manage relationships with technology vendors and service providers
• Develop and implement strategy for information technology matters, including information security
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies, assessing their potential impact on the organization and recommending strategic investments in technology
• Maintain a Business Continuity Plan and manage any incidents according to OPEL's Incident Management policy
• Oversee any group or own IT system changes relating to OPEL
• Control access to Sensitive Payments Data or any system changes which may touch Sensitive Payments Data
• Maintain 1st line ownership of the operations and technology risk register, and outsourcing register
• Develop and manage the MI reporting for all departments
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of operational processes and IT systems
• Report to the Senior Management Team, Chief Executive Officer, and the Board on operations and technology matters
• Knowledge of payments/card schemes/networks desirable
• Experience in payments/fintech an advantage
• Third-level qualification and ideally seven plus years in a regulated financial services company, with at least two years at a COO and/or CIO level
• Previous experience in managing inter-group outsourcing arrangements in accordance with CBI and EBA guidelines
• Previous Central Bank approved PCF holder an advantage
• Self-starter, highly driven, enthusiastic with a can-do attitude, approachable, and excellent team player
• Able to form relationships with people across all levels of the company
• Strategic thinker with excellent leadership, communication, listening, and writing skills