Head of Operations

About Xapo Bank

Xapo Bank is a fully distributed organization with over 160 employees working remotely from more than 50 countries worldwide, headquartered in Gibraltar. Our mission is to enable economic freedom and safeguard wealth globally, independent of location or governance. We foster a culture of continuous learning, global thinking, and innovation with a commitment to changing conventional approaches.

Position Overview

The Head of Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimizing the bank's entire operational framework. The role ensures smooth, scalable, and efficient daily operations while laying down solid foundations for growth. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in banking operations, with a focus on operational excellence, continuous improvement, and rigorous risk management. This position leads diverse teams managing Payments, Reconciliations, Card Operations, and Business Operations, ensuring integrated client and internal stakeholder satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement a comprehensive operational strategy aligned with business objectives emphasizing scalability, regulatory compliance, and efficiency.
• Direct oversight of core operations including payment processing, treasury, reconciliations, and back-office functions to maintain high standards of quality and control.
• Drive process mapping, optimization, and automation initiatives to minimize manual work and maximize operational efficiency.
• Create, document, and enforce standardized operating procedures for essential operational tasks.
• Leverage data and artificial intelligence to advance intelligent automation and foster innovative operational practices.
• Recruit, guide, and develop a proficient and multidisciplinary operations team, promoting accountability, cooperation, and continuous advancement.
• Manage workforce planning and resource distribution ensuring optimal team structure and success.
• Collaborate with Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) and Compliance teams to guarantee adherence to financial regulations and internal policies across operations.
• Establish and maintain a risk management framework for operational risks, including controls, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms.
• Act as the main liaison for internal and external audits related to operational departments.
• Coordinate with leaders from Platform Engineering, People, Data, and Client Coverage to ensure cohesive operational integration and support for premium client experiences.
• Oversee end-to-end Bitcoin and cryptocurrency settlement operations, including wallet management, on-chain reconciliation, and custody control processes.
• Collaborate with Treasury and Compliance on crypto settlement procedures ensuring regulatory compliance and security specific to digital assets.
• Build scalable operational processes supporting crypto-fiat bridging critical to Xapo's products.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 10 years in progressively responsible operations leadership roles within regulated financial sectors such as banking, fintech, or wealth management.
• Proven success in managing and scaling multiple operational areas including Payments, Treasury, and Business Operations.
• Expertise in process improvement methodologies with demonstrated accomplishments in deploying automation and operational enhancements.
• Thorough knowledge of the regulatory environment for financial institutions, including AML and financial crime frameworks.
• Exceptional leadership qualities coupled with strong communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Strategic thinker able to convert broad business visions into actionable operational plans.
• Experience in the cryptocurrency industry is a strong advantage.

Additional Requirements

• Availability of a dedicated home workspace.
• Dependable internet connectivity with the highest available speed in your location.
• Commitment to aligning with Xapo’s values and principles of values-driven leadership.

Why Join Xapo Bank?

• Global Impact & Remote Work: Influence the future of finance while working remotely from any location worldwide.
• Work-Life Harmony: Enjoy autonomy and collaborative teamwork with a flexible schedule and generous PTO options.
• Culture of Excellence: Engage with a high-performing team, access personalized learning budgets, and develop professionally through various resources.

Compliance and Consumer Protection

Xapo prioritizes consumer protection and complies with all regulatory requirements. Employees are responsible for maintaining fairness, transparency, and ethical conduct in all customer and stakeholder interactions.