Role Overview for Chief Operating Officer with a Digital Asset Custodian – New York, NY
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to lead the search for a transformative Chief Operating Officer (COO) for a pioneering digital asset custodian based in the heart of New York City. Our client is a market-leading, regulated financial institution at the forefront of the digital asset revolution, providing enterprise-grade custody, trading, and settlement solutions for institutional investors, hedge funds, and financial service providers globally. As the digital economy continues its exponential growth, the integrity, security, and scalability of asset custody have become paramount. This role represents a unique opportunity to join the executive leadership team of a firm that is defining the future of finance.
The Chief Operating Officer will be a cornerstone of the executive team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This individual will be the strategic and operational engine of the company, responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing all business operations to ensure unparalleled efficiency, scalability, and service quality. You will be tasked with translating the company’s ambitious vision into a tangible operational reality, building a world-class operational framework that can support rapid growth while navigating the complexities of a highly regulated and dynamic industry. This is not just a role about managing processes; it is about building the foundational infrastructure for the next generation of financial markets. The ideal candidate is a seasoned operational leader with a deep-seated passion for financial technology and a proven track record of excellence within both traditional finance and the burgeoning digital asset space. You will be instrumental in shaping the company’s culture, driving performance, and solidifying its position as the most trusted name in digital asset custody.
Success in this role requires a blend of strategic foresight, tactical execution, and inspirational leadership. You will work hand-in-hand with the CEO, CTO, and Chief Compliance Officer to set comprehensive goals for performance and growth, establish policies that promote the company’s culture and vision, and lead employees to encourage maximum performance and dedication. Your leadership will directly impact the firm’s ability to innovate, scale, and capture market share in this incredibly competitive landscape. If you are a results-driven executive with a deep understanding of custody, financial operations, and blockchain technology, we invite you to explore this career-defining opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer with a Digital Asset Custodian – New York, NY
The COO will have a broad and impactful mandate, overseeing the entire operational spectrum of the organization. Key responsibilities include:
Strategic Operational Planning
Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute the company’s operational strategy. Translate strategic initiatives into actionable, cross-functional plans with clear metrics for success. Drive the company to achieve and surpass sales, profitability, cash flow, and business goals and objectives.
Operational Excellence and Scalability
Lead the design and implementation of robust, scalable, and efficient business processes across all operational functions, including custody operations, trade settlement, client onboarding, treasury management, and customer support. Champion a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging technology and automation to enhance efficiency and reduce operational risk.
Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance
Develop and maintain a comprehensive operational risk management framework. Ensure all operations adhere to the highest standards of security and compliance with relevant regulatory bodies (e.g., NYDFS, SEC, FINRA). Work intimately with the Chief Compliance Officer to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape, ensuring the firm’s operations are audit-ready and compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements. This includes navigating the complex regulatory landscape for digital asset securities.
Technology and Infrastructure Oversight
Partner closely with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to ensure the firm’s technology infrastructure—including its custody platform, trading systems, and internal tools—is secure, resilient, and capable of supporting institutional-grade service levels. Provide operational input into the technology roadmap and product development lifecycle.
Client Service and Delivery
Oversee all client-facing operational teams to guarantee a superior client experience. Streamline the client onboarding process, enhance support protocols, and ensure the flawless execution of client transactions and asset servicing. Act as a senior escalation point for key client relationships.
Financial and Performance Management
Work with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to manage the operational budget, conduct financial analysis, and optimize resource allocation. Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics across the organization, providing regular performance reports to the CEO and the Board of Directors.
Leadership and Talent Development
Build, mentor, and lead a world-class global operations team. Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that attracts, retains, and develops top talent. Provide clear direction, coaching, and support to your direct reports and the wider organization, embodying the company’s core values.
Vendor and Partner Management
Oversee relationships with key third-party vendors, technology providers, and strategic partners. Ensure that service level agreements (SLAs) are met and that these partnerships contribute positively to the company’s operational strength and strategic goals.
Requirements for the Chief Operating Officer with a Digital Asset Custodian – New York, NY
We are seeking a candidate with a distinguished career in financial operations and a demonstrable expertise in the digital asset domain. The specific qualifications and attributes we are looking for include:
Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in operations within the financial services industry. A significant portion of this experience (5+ years) must be in a senior operational role at a fintech company, cryptocurrency exchange, digital asset custodian, prime brokerage, or a traditional financial institution with a dedicated digital assets division.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is highly preferred.
Domain Expertise
Deep, nuanced understanding of financial market infrastructure, including custody, clearing, settlement, and asset servicing. Expert-level knowledge of the digital asset ecosystem, including blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum), stablecoins, DeFi protocols, and tokenization.
Regulatory Acumen
Proven experience operating within a highly regulated financial environment. Must have a strong understanding of relevant U.S. regulations, including those from the NYDFS (e.g., BitLicense), SEC, FINRA, and FinCEN. International regulatory experience is a plus.
Leadership Prowess
A demonstrated track record of building, scaling, and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Must be an inspirational leader who can motivate teams and foster a culture of accountability and innovation.
Strategic and Analytical Skills
Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Must be data-driven, with a talent for analyzing complex situations, identifying key issues, and developing practical solutions. Experience with financial modeling and data analysis tools is essential.
Communication Skills
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. The ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision and to communicate complex ideas effectively to a variety of audiences, including the executive team, board members, clients, regulators, and employees.
Technical Aptitude
Must be technologically savvy and comfortable discussing technical concepts with engineering and product teams. Experience overseeing the implementation of new financial technology systems is highly desirable.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry and offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
Competitive Compensation
A highly attractive base salary and a significant performance-based annual bonus.
Equity Participation
A meaningful equity stake in the company, providing the opportunity to share directly in the firm’s long-term success.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents with minimal employee contribution.
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) plan with a generous company matching program to help you plan for your future.
Generous Time Off
A flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) policy, in addition to company-paid holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continuous learning, including conferences, certifications, and other professional development opportunities.
Modern Work Environment
A state-of-the-art office in New York City with a hybrid work model offering flexibility.
Wellness and Perks
A comprehensive wellness program, commuter benefits, catered lunches, and regular team-building events and offsites.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive recruitment partner for this confidential search. To express your interest in this pivotal Chief Operating Officer position, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications. We encourage you to highlight your specific achievements in scaling operations within the financial services and digital asset sectors.
Our team of dedicated recruiters will review all applications with the utmost confidentiality. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly for an initial discussion. We are committed to a transparent and efficient recruitment process.
Our client is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at their company. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
