Chief Operating Officer
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Global COO and the Chief Executive of NCME, the COO will be a key member of the leadership team, responsible for operational excellence, technology strategy, and the overall risk and control environment across the Dublin entity.
This is a designated Pre-Approval Controlled Function (PCF) role, and the successful candidate will be required to meet the Central Bank of Ireland’s Fitness and Probity standards.
Working closely with the Heads of Compliance, Finance, and Risk, as well as Nearwater’s global leadership team, you will ensure that operations are controlled, scalable, and aligned with the firm’s strategic objectives. The role carries end-to-end responsibility for the integrity, resilience, and performance of operational processes, systems, and workflows.
What You’ll Do
Lead and scale operations
Oversee end-to-end operational functions, including trade processing, settlements, treasury operations, margin movements, client and counterparty servicing, and transaction management.
Ensure the accurate and timely functioning of business activities, with robust controls to minimise financial and operational risk.
Own and ensure seamless operational support across the client interaction lifecycle.
Implement and continuously refine best-in-class workflows, policies, and procedures to support the seamless delivery of services to counterparties and clients.
Identify key operational metrics and implement reporting frameworks to provide real‑time, transparent feedback on workflows, performance, and risk exposures to management and business heads.
Partner with the business, Legal, Compliance, and Risk to maintain strong internal controls.
Represent NCME in interactions with the Central Bank of Ireland and other relevant regulatory bodies as appropriate.
Build best-in-class processes
Develop and maintain a robust operational risk management framework, focused on the integrity, accuracy, and resilience of processes, systems, and controls.
Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks arising from process failures, technology gaps, human error, and third‑party dependencies.
Foster a proactive culture of operational risk awareness and accountability across the Operations and Technology teams.
Drive technology strategy
Oversee the integrity, security, and scalability of technology platforms supporting business activities.
Partner with Nearwater’s Chief Technology Officer to execute the technology strategy in alignment with the firm’s broader global technology objectives and to drive digital transformation across operational processes, reporting infrastructure, and proprietary systems development.
Evaluate and implement new technological tools, vendors, and platforms that enhance operational workflows, reduce operational risk, and support regulatory compliance.
Lead and develop a high‑performing team
Lead, mentor, and manage a high‑performing team.
Establish clear objectives, performance standards, and accountability across the Operations function.
Build a strong leadership pipeline through coaching, development, and performance management.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performance working culture consistent with Nearwater's values.
What We’re Looking For
You’ll likely bring a combination of the following:
Experience and expertise
10+ years of senior leadership experience in financial services derivatives operations, with meaningful exposure to technology strategy.
Deep understanding of middle and back‑office operations, trade lifecycle management, securities settlements, cash and margin movements (IM/VM), and counterparty management.
Ability to satisfy the Central Bank of Ireland's Fitness and Probity requirements.
Proven track record of operational leadership within a MiFID‑regulated firm, global bank, or investment management organisation.
Exposure to a variety of financing structures (TRS, repo, stock loan, and similar instruments).
Strong command of risk and control frameworks, with experience identifying and remediating operational risks.
Exceptional analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capabilities with a data‑driven mindset.
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage credibly across all levels of the organisation and with external stakeholders.
Ability to function effectively in a fast‑paced, dynamic, and intellectually demanding environment.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high‑performing teams.
How You Work
You take ownership and build with scale in mind.
You’re detail‑oriented but able to operate at a strategic level.
You’re comfortable with complexity and ambiguity and bring structure to both.
You collaborate closely across functions and communicate clearly at all levels.
You hold a high bar for control, accuracy, and accountability.
What You’ll Get
The opportunity to shape the operational and technology foundations of the European business of a well‑established and rapidly growing firm.
Direct influence over the design and development of new business and operational capabilities.
Exposure to a myriad of interesting and complex issues surrounding financial structures and transactions.
Close collaboration with colleagues in Front Office, Risk, Finance and Compliance.
A fast‑paced, intellectually rigorous environment where the work is both challenging and impactful.
A collaborative, in‑office culture where contributions are visible and decisions are made quickly.
Who We Are
Nearwater Capital is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty finance company headquartered in New York City with a global presence and client base. Established in 2017, Nearwater has distinguished itself as a leader in delivering thoughtful, solutions‑based financing to some of the largest financial institutions and financial services firms in the world.
Nearwater is expanding its business in Europe and has established an office in Dublin. Nearwater Capital Markets Europe (NCME) is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) as a MiFID investment firm.
Nearwater offers an attractive market compensation and benefits package. As a creative, intellectual capital firm, Nearwater is proud to be 100% work from office.
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