UK Head of Operations, Resilience and Outsourcing - #1802077

About Us

Wallester is a cutting-edge financial technology company that specializes in providing innovative solutions for businesses seeking to modernize their payment systems. By offering white-label card issuance platforms, seamless integration with existing infrastructure, and comprehensive support for both digital and physical cards, Wallester empowers companies to enhance their financial services and customer experience. Recognized as a leader in the FinTech space, Wallester has earned a reputation for its state-of-the-art technology, security, and scalability. Whether you are a startup or an established enterprise, Wallester delivers flexible, reliable solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of the digital economy.

About Position

The role of UK Head of Operations, Resilience and Outsourcing (UK HoORO) is a key role for Wallester UK and operates as part of the first line of defence.

The UK HoORO is employed by Wallester UK Ltd to perform a key control role for the technical operations carried out by, or on behalf of, Wallester UK (on an outsourced basis), including development, platforms and systems, and the general business and customer service operations.

The UK HoORO is also responsible for undertaking and controlling UK operational activities and ensuring that the business and all operations are highly resilient.

The UK HoORO will report to the Wallester UK CEO and will play a key role in the governance and internal control arrangements operated by Wallester UK.

The UK HoORO will also be a subject matter expert at Wallester Group level for DORA/Operational Resilience, BCP, Incident Management and Data Privacy.

Work Responsibilities

Control and Oversight of Outsourced Technology and Operations

• Ensure that systems and technology platforms used for Wallester UK operations are set up and maintained in a manner that is suitably secure and resilient, to protect customer funds and data integrity.
• Manage relationships with vendors and third-party service providers, including ensuring sufficient due diligence procedures are conducted and governance and oversight arrangements are effective.
• Establish KPIs and other monitoring and analytical frameworks for all technology and operational activity, whether outsourced or in-house.
• Ensure full compliance with Wallester AS Outsourcing Agreement, including maintaining Exit/Migration Plan.
  
  

Control of Wallester UK Operations

• All operations undertaken solely by Wallester UK

• UK DPO
• UK BCP, DR and Operational Resilience
• Process efficiency and improvement
  
  

Control and Oversight of Financial Operations

• Ensure that daily reconciliations are completed in the UK, in line with Safeguarding requirements.
• Oversee and/or undertake the day-to-day financial operations carried out by Wallester AS as an outsourced service provider.
• Ensure that the Wallester UK Exco and Board receive accurate information about Wallester UK’s Own Funds and Capital requirements, as well as overall financial performance.
• Manage UK Banking relationships and integrations.
  
  

Risk and Compliance

• Operate as the ‘risk owner’ for technology, outsourcing and operations risk, including identifying, assessing and mitigating risks related to these areas. Key risk areas include cybersecurity and operational resilience.
• Maintain effective incident response and business continuity arrangements in partnership with the Wallester UK CCO, including managing operational incidents in a manner that meets FCA requirements.
• Ensure all applicable regulatory requirements are complied with, including staying up to date with FCA, PSR and ICO expectations for technology and operations areas of the business, particularly as it relates to effective oversight of outsourcing.
  
  

Strategy and Leadership

• Keep up to date with emerging technologies that may be relevant to Wallester UK, for example changes in open banking and digital wallet infrastructures.
• Develop and execute a technology and operational strategy that aligns with business goals and regulatory obligations, particularly ensuring technology, operational activity or expertise from Wallester AS teams can be utilised in a manner that is effectively governed by the Wallester UK Board and management team.
  
  

Requirements

The UK HoORO must have strong technical and operational expertise, with sufficient experience to facilitate effective control and oversight of technical operations both internally and where they are carried out by Outsourced Service Providers.

A key responsibility of the UK HoORO will be ensuring that activities carried out by Outsourced Service Providers meet the expectations of the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) in the UK, so the individual holding this role must have significant experience within regulated financial services, namely E-Money, payments and cards, and strong knowledge of the regulatory requirements applicable to Wallester. Of particular importance for this role are the requirements relating to Operational Resilience.

• Experience in successful UK and EU Fintech organisations
• Proven record of delivering industry best practice outcomes in a pragmatic and agile manner
• Experience in managing technology in e-money, payments or related fields.
• Experience with IT and operational teams within financial services organisations, specifically cards and payments.
• Experience in onboarding and implementing operations with Outsourced Service Providers and vendors for Material, Important Business Services (as defined by the FCA and EBA).
• Deep knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements both for the design and management of technology for e-money and payment services and in the oversight of material outsourcing arrangements - including preparing and submitting associated regulatory reporting.
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate operations and technology-related risks, especially around fraud prevention, cybersecurity, and operational resilience.
• Strong experience in data management practices, including data protection, encryption, and GDPR compliance.
• Experience of holding a senior Information Security Officer and/or Data Protection Officer role highly desirable
• Capability in setting up secure and resilient systems to protect customer funds and data integrity.
• Fluent in English. French, Russian and Estonian desirable but not essential.
  
  

Company Offers

• 30 days holiday (pro rata), plus UK Bank and Public Holidays
• Private Medical cover, including Family if applicable (after Probation Period)
• Pension scheme (after 3 months)
• Quarterly Team-Buildings
• Corporate events: regular employee gatherings (Summer Days, Winter Gala)
• Work Anniversary Celebrations
• Affiliate program for employees
• Referral program for employees