Managing Director, UK

About the role

As the Managing Director for Bvnk's UK entity, you will provide executive leadership, overseeing strategy, commercial performance, and regulatory compliance. Your role will involve significant engagement with the FCA and ensuring the firm meets its governance and regulatory obligations.

You will lead a high-performing management team, balancing sustainable growth with risk management and regulatory requirements. This position is crucial in maintaining Bvnk's reputation and operational integrity as it continues to innovate in the stablecoin financial solutions space.

Who this role suits

• Experienced in senior executive roles within UK-regulated financial services.
• Strong understanding of regulatory environments, particularly with the FCA.
• Proficient in managing complex operational and financial activities.
• Excellent communicator with strong stakeholder management skills.

From the employer

Key Areas of Responsibilities

• Provide overall executive leadership of BVNK UK, with accountability for its strategy, commercial performance, governance and regulatory obligations.
• Lead the UK entity through the FCA authorisation process, acting as a key point of contact for regulatory engagement, assessments and interviews.
• Establish and maintain effective UK-based governance, ensuring appropriate decision-making authority, management oversight and accountability within the regulated entity.
• Hold the FCA approvals required for the role, including as a Senior Manager (SMF1 and SMF3) and as a director or manager of the electronic money institution, fulfilling the associated regulatory obligations and maintaining compliance with the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.
• Take responsibility for the firm's Senior Managers Regime obligations, Certification Regime arrangements and Conduct Rules training.
• Oversee the firm's financial resources and prudential compliance across its e-money and cryptoasset activities, including capital and liquidity adequacy, fixed overhead requirements, financial forecasting, stress testing and wind-down planning.
• Own the commercial strategy and financial performance of the UK entity, leading UK commercial teams, balancing sustainable growth with regulatory requirements and effective risk management.
• Ensure appropriate governance and oversight of the firm's cryptoasset, e-money and payment services, working closely with the COO and relevant control functions.
• Oversee local marketing activities and compliance with applicable financial promotions requirements and ensure appropriate controls are maintained.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing oversight of Consumer Duty requirements where applicable to the firm's regulated activities.
• Work closely with Compliance, Risk, Finance and Operations to establish an effective three lines of defence model, with clear responsibilities, appropriate independence and robust escalation arrangements.
• Maintain effective oversight of material risks, ensuring the Board receives appropriate management information and that significant regulatory or operational issues are escalated promptly.
• Establish effective working relationships with Mastercard and BVNK group leadership, ensuring appropriate oversight of intra-group dependencies while preserving the UK entity's regulatory accountability.
• Chair or attend relevant local and group-level committees and/or forums, providing effective challenge and ensuring the local entity is properly represented.
• Build and lead a high-performing UK senior management team, promoting a culture of accountability, integrity, customer protection and regulatory compliance.
• Represent BVNK UK with regulators, strategic partners and other key stakeholders.

What We Need From You

• Significant senior executive leadership experience within a UK-regulated financial services business, ideally having previously held an FCA-approved SMF1 or SMF3 position.
• Demonstrable experience running or holding substantial executive accountability within a regulated entity, including engagement with the FCA and responsibility for regulatory governance.
• Strong knowledge of the UK financial services regulatory environment, including the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, governance requirements and individual accountability.
• Experience within payments, electronic money, cryptoassets, digital assets or a closely related financial services sector.
• A strong understanding of the regulatory and operational risks associated with cryptoasset custody and trading activities.
• Sound knowledge of prudential requirements, including capital and liquidity adequacy, fixed overhead requirements, financial resource planning, stress testing and wind-down planning.
• Understanding of Consumer Duty requirements, financial promotions and the associated governance and oversight expectations.
• Experience developing and executing commercial strategies while maintaining effective regulatory controls and financial discipline.
• Demonstrable ability to lead cross-functional senior management teams and oversee complex operational, financial and regulatory activities.
• Strong understanding of risk management frameworks, governance structures and the three lines of defence model.
• Experience working within a wider group structure, with the ability to balance group strategy and shared services with local regulatory accountability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including the confidence and credibility to engage directly with regulators, Board members and senior executives.
• Ability to demonstrate the fitness and propriety standards required for FCA Senior Manager approval, including honesty, integrity, competence, capability and financial soundness.
• Willingness and ability to be based in the UK on a full-time basis, providing effective local leadership and regulatory oversight.

What You Can Expect From Us

• Fair and competitive salary at every stage of your growth
• Flexible working hours, with hybrid working at its heart
• A culture built on passionate, growth-minded people
• A flexible approach to holiday
• Opportunities to travel to our offices around the world
• An open and creative environment where you can help us define the future of BVNK, its culture, and its opportunity sets

At BVNK, we are focused on building a diverse and inclusive team. While you may not meet all of our requirements, we’d encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of our expectations. You may be a great fit for this role or another role in our team.