Chief-Operating-Office /Chief of Staff

Job Title: Chief-Operating-Office (COO)

Day Rate: Via Umbrella

Length of Contract: 12 months

Location: Bromley/London

Hybrid 2-3 days from office

Client: Our client is a leading global investment bank with a strong presence across North America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. They are known for their innovation in financial technology and robust global markets infrastructure.

About the Role We are seeking an experienced and driven COO / Business Manager to support the global FX and Emerging Markets (EM) Technology team within a leading investment bank. This high-impact role reports into the Global COO and partners closely with senior technology and business leadership across London, New York, and Asia.

You'll drive operational excellence across a complex, fast-paced technology organisation supporting one of the bank's most dynamic trading businesses.

Key Responsibilities You will lead across a mix of the following (strength in at least 2 areas required):

  1. Project Portfolio Oversight
  • Centralise and report on cross-border tech project initiatives
  • Coordinate between project leads and governance teams
  • Drive senior-level project review meetings and deliverables
  1. People & Org Management
  • Manage regulatory and structural compliance (e.g., FINRA, span of control)
  • Lead people-focused initiatives (training, engagement, development)
  1. Financial Management
  • Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and headcount/resource planning
  • Analyse financial performance and support cost optimization
  • Track contractor/consultant spend and hiring approvals
  1. Risk & Controls
  • Identify, track, and resolve operational risk issues
  • Support compliance with internal tech risk/control frameworks
  • Own remediation plans and back-to-green tracking

Ideal Candidate Profile We're looking for someone with:

  • 5-10+ years' experience in a COO, Business Manager, or PMO-type role in financial services
  • Strong experience in at least two of: project governance, tech finance, operational risk, or people management
  • Excellent communication skills - able to engage with senior stakeholders globally
  • Proven ability to operate in fast-paced, evolving environments
  • Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; strong analytical mindset
  • Prior experience within investment banking, trading tech, or global markets strongly preferred

Nice to Have

  • Knowledge of FX / Emerging Markets businesses or trading systems
  • Exposure to financial governance tools (e.g., Clarity, Apptio, Tableau)
  • Experience working across UK, US, and Asia regions

Apply Now If you're a high-performing operations leader with a background in financial technology or trading environments, we'd love to hear from you.

Company
Pontoon
Location
Bromley, Kent, England, United Kingdom
Hybrid / WFH Options
Employment Type
Contractor
Salary
Salary negotiable
Posted
Company
Pontoon
Location
Bromley, Kent, England, United Kingdom
Hybrid / WFH Options
Employment Type
Contractor
Salary
Salary negotiable
Posted