Chief Operations Officer (COO)
3 days ago
Paris
Introduction PayXpert is a pioneer in omnichannel payments and a subsidiary of the Société Générale group. We serve a diverse array of local and international brands both online and in-store, spanning various sectors. At the heart of our vision is the creation of a payment ecosystem that fosters an inclusive commerce experience for all. We have developed services that focus on revenue optimisation, performance enhancement, fraud prevention, and seamless payment orchestration. Our expertise extends to cross-border payments and alternative payment methods such as Alipay+ and WeChat Pay. Furthermore, our solutions are designed with accessibility in mind, offering features that cater to the visually impaired, ensuring everyone can engage in the modern commerce landscape. PayXpert is part of Societe Generale Group. Department description The Operations function is at the heart of our business, powering the delivery of seamless, reliable and scalable payment experiences. Acting as the bridge between strategy and execution, the team works cross-functionally with Product, Technology, Compliance and Customer teams to ensure operational excellence at every stage of the payment lifecycle. In a dynamic and highly regulated fintech environment, Operations drives continuous improvement, scalability and performance, enabling the company to grow efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of quality and customer experience Role Purpose The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is a transformation-oriented leader, driving execution, efficiency, and alignment across PayXpert’s operations. The COO holds ultimate accountability for the design, performance, and scalability of the company’s operational model. The role involves shaping and overseeing the systems, processes, and people that underpin business operations, ensuring delivery against forecasted revenue, expense budgets, and timelines. The COO is responsible for ensuring the business meets its commitments to clients, including uptime and consistently excellent customer feedback. Additionally, the COO will lead transformation initiatives, leveraging AI and automation to optimise processes and improve productivity. As a member of the Executive Committee, the COO will actively drive cultural change, embed accountability, and track the execution of strategic initiatives at the executive level. Key Responsibilities Enterprise Operations Strategy & Execution • Define and lead the enterprise-wide operations strategy aligned with PayXpert’s long-term business objectives and growth plans., • Translate the business roadmap into operational plans that ensure scalability, efficiency, and minimal disruption., • Anticipate operational risks and constraints, proactively designing mitigation and continuity strategies. Operational Excellence & Service Delivery • Ensure PayXpert consistently delivers on its commitments to clients, including platform availability, uptime, service quality, and operational reliability., • Oversee operational performance across all markets and services, ensuring high standards of execution and customer satisfaction., • Drive continuous improvement of processes, controls, and service delivery models., • Move from manual / fragmented processes to scalable, automated systems., • Identify and execute cost optimization and productivity improvements. Organisation, Leadership & Governance • Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams across Operations, Human Resources, Finance, Compliance, Administration, and Legal., • Define operating models, governance structures, and decision frameworks that support cross-functional alignment and accountability., • Ensure clear ownership, deadlines, and follow-up mechanisms., • Establish a culture of accountability, performance, and execution discipline across the organisation., • Define and enforce a company-wide KPI framework linked to strategic objectives., • Address underperformance decisively at all levels, • Set and enforce high standards across teams. Merchant Lifecycle & Onboarding Performance • Own end-to-end onboarding performance (Sales → Risk → OPS), • Define SLA-based onboarding by risk category, • Reduce onboarding cycle time while maintaining risk quality, • Ensure strong alignment between Sales, Risk, and Operations Financial & Resource Management • Prepare, own, and manage annual operational budgets, ensuring delivery against cost, efficiency, and profitability targets., • Monitor operational expenditure, resource allocation, and capacity planning in line with business growth., • Report accurately on operational performance, risks, and challenges to the Executive Team and Board., • Improve operational efficiency (cost per merchant, onboarding cost, service cost), • Drive ROI-based priorization across initiatives Transformation & Cross-Functional Integration • Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives to integrate siloed business functions and improve end-to-end operational effectiveness., • Oversee the implementation of strategic initiatives, ensuring delivery on scope, timing, and budget., • Partner closely with Technology, Product, and Commercial leadership to enable innovation and revenue growth. Risk, Compliance & Regulatory Oversight • Ensure operational compliance with regulatory, legal, and contractual obligations across all jurisdictions., • Partner with Compliance and Legal functions to maintain robust risk management and control frameworks., • Ensure operational readiness to support audits, regulatory reviews, and external assessments. Skills & Capabilities • Enterprise-level operational and strategic leadership in complex, regulated environments., • Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience managing large operational budgets., • Proven ability to design scalable operating models and lead organisational transformation., • Excellent cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management skills., • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities., • Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, • Proven ability to lead through ambiguity and resistance, • Strong decision-making under pressure, • Ability to challenge senior stakeholders constructively, • Track record of delivering transformation, not just managing operations., • French and English proficiency. Position Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance or a related field., • MBA or other relevant postgraduate degree is strongly preferred., • +15 years of total experience in operations, strategy, business management, or executive‑level operational leadership., • At least 8–10 years in senior executive, COO‑level, or equivalent strategic operational leadership roles, ideally within fintech, payments, or similarly regulated industries., • Progressive experience in operations, including senior executive or COO-level roles., • Proven track record of delivering operational excellence, growth, and financial performance in Fintech, Payments, or similarly regulated industries., • Strong understanding of technology-driven business models and complex operational ecosystems., • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Our Culture & Ways of Working Our culture is built around people, ownership and continuous progress. We strive to create an environment where individuals feel trusted, supported and challenged to grow, with regular feedback and meaningful follow-up. We value collaboration over hierarchy. Ideas can come from anywhere, and every voice matters; we expect our teams to contribute, challenge and shape the way we work. We are strongly product-oriented, with a hands-on mindset and a genuine openness to new ideas. Innovation is not limited to specific teams; it is a shared responsibility. We believe in continuous improvement over perfection. Each quarter, we actively look for ways to optimise our processes, enhance our solutions and raise the bar as an organisation. At PayXpert, we want you to grow, feel valued and enjoy your work experience. Here’s what we bring to the table: Compensation & Stability • Competitive salary package with a permanent contract, • Flexible working hours and a wellbeing-focused intensive summer schedule. Work Environment & Flexibility • Hybrid working model, • International, diverse and collaborative teams across Spain, France & the UK, • Regular engagement events to build strong connections Growth & Career Development • Real ownership and visible impact on key HR initiatives, • Continuous learning opportunities tailored to your development plan, • Free language courses (Spanish, French, English) to support your global career, • Involvement in exciting and innovative fintech projects Recognition & Rewards • Employee referral bonus program Apply now and let’s build the future of payments together. We believe in equal employment opportunity, a culture built around gender-balanced development opportunities for our professionals, a flexible and healthy working environment, and general equality in the workplace. The personal data collected is intended for PAYXPERT and used to process your application with a view to possibly offering you an employment contract. It is intended for use by the departments responsible for recruitment. This information will be kept for a maximum of 2 years if your application is not successful. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016 on the protection of personal data, you have the right to access, rectify, delete, portability and limit the Processing of Data concerning you. You may also, for legitimate reasons, object to the Processing of your Data. You may exercise your rights by contacting our DPO at the following address or at the following postal address Av. Diagonal 440, 08037 BARCELONA,SPAIN. For more information on the Processing of your Personal Data by PAYXPERT, please consult our privacy policy available on our website at the following address: ___.