Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer Location: New York, NYSearch Conducted By: The Board of Directors (Retained Executive Search)About the Company:Our client is a high‑growth fintech company transforming digital payments and financial infrastructure across global markets. Backed by top‑tier venture and growth equity investors, the company is entering a critical scale phase and preparing for major strategic milestones.Valuation: ~$500MEmployees: ~400 globallyMarkets: North America, EMEA, APACModel: B2B fintech (payments, infrastructure, compliance, digital banking, financial APIs)The Board of Directors has launched a confidential retained search for a CEO to lead the company through its next chapter of growth, profitability, and market leadership.Role Overview:The CEO will serve as the enterprise‑wide strategic, operational, and cultural leader. This executive will define the long‑term vision, scale global operations, deepen customer trust, and position the company as a dominant force in fintech.We are seeking a proven operator with a track record of scaling technology‑driven financial businesses, navigating regulatory complexity, and delivering strong commercial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & VisionDevelop and execute a long‑term strategic plan aligned with Board priorities and market opportunities.Identify new revenue streams, product innovations, and global expansion pathways.Establish the company’s position as a category leader in fintech infrastructure and digital financial services.Drive alignment across product, engineering, commercial, and operations teams.Operational Excellence & ScaleLead and optimize day‑to‑day operations across a ~400‑person global organization.Build scalable systems, processes, and operating frameworks to support rapid growth.Implement operational KPIs, dashboards, and performance management systems.Strengthen cross‑functional collaboration and organizational efficiency.Financial Leadership & PerformanceOversee financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and capital allocation.Drive revenue growth, margin expansion, and disciplined cost management.Lead fundraising strategy, investor relations, and capital markets engagement.Prepare the company for future liquidity events (IPO, acquisition, secondary).Product, Technology & InnovationChampion a product‑first culture focused on customer needs, reliability, and differentiation.Guide the product roadmap across payments, infrastructure, compliance, and digital banking solutions.Ensure technology investments align with regulatory requirements and long‑term scalability.Foster innovation in automation, AI‑driven financial services, and next‑generation infrastructure.Regulatory, Compliance & Risk ManagementMaintain strong relationships with U.S. regulators (NYDFS, OCC, CFPB) and global regulatory bodies.Ensure compliance with financial regulations, data privacy laws, and industry standards.Build a proactive risk management framework across operational, financial, and technology domains.Oversee governance, audit readiness, and enterprise risk controls.Commercial Growth & Market ExpansionDrive commercial strategy across enterprise clients, financial institutions, and global partners.Expand market share through strategic partnerships, channel development, and new verticals.Strengthen customer retention, satisfaction, and long‑term value creation.Represent the company in high‑impact commercial negotiations.Culture, Talent & LeadershipLead, inspire, and develop a global workforce of ~400 employees.Build a high‑performance leadership team and attract top executive talent.Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, innovation, and operational excellence.Implement leadership development, succession planning, and organizational design initiatives.External Representation & InfluenceServe as the external face of the company with investors, partners, regulators, and media.Elevate the company’s brand and reputation across global financial and technology ecosystems.Represent the company at industry conferences, regulatory forums, and strategic events.Build relationships with key stakeholders across fintech, banking, payments, and technology sectors.Ideal Background15+ years in fintech, payments, digital banking, or financial infrastructure.Proven success scaling a high‑growth technology or fintech business.Experience working closely with Boards, investors, and regulatory bodies.Strong operational, financial, and strategic leadership.Exceptional communication, executive presence, and global mindset.Compensation:The Board has approved a competitive CEO compensation package aligned with high‑growth fintech standards in New York.Base Salary: $450,000–$600,000Annual Bonus: 50–75% of base salaryEquity: 2–4% ownershipTotal Cash Compensation: $700,000–$1.05MTotal Compensation with Equity Upside: $2M–$6M+, depending on performance and liquidity event