Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Digital Bank France

About the role

Freedom Digital Bank France, part of Freedom Holding Corp. (listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market), is looking for a strategic and hands-on Chief Operating Officer to set up, lead and scale the bank's operations. As a member of the founding executive team, the COO will help with the bank's regulatory authorisation, establishment and launch in France, ensuring the operating model meets French and EU requirements and supervisory authority expectations.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the operational strategy and design the bank's target operating model
• Build scalable, efficient and customer-focused banking processes and oversee day-to-day operations and customer service
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and set decision-making and escalation processes
• Establish operational KPIs, service levels and reporting frameworks, and support the launch of digital banking products
• Set up operational controls, governance and compliant processes for onboarding, complaints handling, payments and incident management
• Oversee business continuity, crisis management and operational resilience, and manage outsourcing and third-party provider relationships
• Drive operational transformation, automation and continuous improvement, working closely with Risk, Compliance, Product and Technology
• Prepare operational documentation needed for regulatory authorisation

Required profile

• 10+ years of operations experience in digital banking, banking, fintech or another regulated financial institution
• Previous COO, Head of Operations or equivalent senior leadership role
• Proven experience establishing, transforming or scaling regulated operations
• Experience supporting a banking authorisation, market entry or major transformation in France or another EU jurisdiction is strongly preferred
• Full professional fluency in French and English is mandatory

Required skills

• Strong understanding of French and EU operational requirements for banks and digital financial institutions
• Knowledge of ACPR and EBA expectations, including governance, outsourcing, complaints handling, customer protection and business continuity
• Understanding of DORA, ICT incident management, operational resilience and third-party risk
• Experience with digital onboarding, customer servicing, operational automation and outsourced services in a regulated environment
• Strong stakeholder management and people leadership skills

What we offer

• Employment contract in line with French labour law
• Relocation package for the employee and family members
• 50% coverage of annual health insurance costs for the employee and eligible family members
• 25 days of annual leave, public holidays and all statutory leave entitlements
• On-site work in a modern, well-located office