Chief Operating Officer; Client

Description

Confidential Careers Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (On-site)

Position Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To:

CEO / Board of Directors

Location:

Riyadh

Sector:
Retail Brokerage

License Status: CMA License In Progress

Our client offers round‑time, fast‑execution trading with connectivity to global financial markets, delivering comprehensive investment and wealth management solutions for both retail and corporate clients. With a vision rooted in Hong Kong and oriented towards China and the broader Asia Pacific region, the organization is now executing a strategic international expansion.

As part of this growth trajectory, the firm is in the process of applying for a Capital Markets Authority (CMA) license in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the intention of offering securities dealing and related capital markets services to Saudi retail and institutional clients from its Riyadh office. The Saudi operation will uphold the organization’s mission of providing sincere, integrity‑oriented, and pragmatic financial services that add real value to clients’ wealth.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a critical senior leadership appointment, responsible for building, leading, and managing all operational aspects of the organization’s Saudi Arabian business. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will serve as the operational backbone of the Saudi entity, translating the firm’s strategic vision into day‑to‑day operational reality. This is a foundational role: the COO will be responsible for establishing the operational infrastructure of the Saudi business from the ground up, including people, processes, technology, and vendor relationships, while working in close coordination with the CEO, Chief Compliance Officer, and the parent organization’s Hong Kong headquarters.

• Business Set‑Up & Launch Operations
  • Lead the end‑to‑end operational establishment of the Saudi entity, including office set‑up, infrastructure build‑out, technology deployment, and vendor onboarding in Riyadh.
  • Develop and execute the operational launch plan for the Saudi business, working closely with the CEO and HQ to ensure readiness for CMA licensing and commercial launch.
  • Coordinate with legal, compliance, finance, and IT functions to ensure all operational systems, processes, and controls are in place prior to commencing regulated activities.
  • Oversee the procurement and management of all third‑party service providers, including technology vendors, custodians, clearing brokers, data providers, and facilities managers.
  • Establish operational policies, procedures, and service standards that reflect the organization’s heritage of professionalism and its obligations as a CMA‑regulated entity.
• CMA Licensing Support
  • Support the Chief Compliance Officer and CEO in fulfilling all operational requirements of the CMA license application, including preparation of operational documentation, business plans, and process maps as required by the CMA.
  • Ensure the organization’s operational infrastructure, staffing model, and technology systems satisfy CMA requirements for a licensed dealing entity.
  • Liaise with the CMA and external advisors on operational matters arising during the licensing process.
  • Develop and maintain the organization’s operational risk framework in alignment with CMA regulatory expectations and the parent organization’s standards.
• Day‑to‑Day Operations Management
  • Oversee all daily operational functions of the Saudi brokerage business, including trade execution support, client onboarding operations, order management, settlements, and back‑office processing.
  • Establish and maintain robust operational controls to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance across all business processes.
  • Monitor key operational metrics and performance indicators, reporting regularly to the CEO and Board on operational performance, capacity, and risk.
  • Manage relationships with exchanges, clearing houses, custodians, and counter parties relevant to the Saudi and regional markets.
  • Ensure business continuity and operational resilience through the development and maintenance of…