Head of Trading Services

ZainCash is launching a regulated investment service that lets Iraqi retail investors trade securities through the ZainCash app. The Head of Trading Services will own the end-to-end trading business: the team, the regulatory compliance and risk framework, the technology partners, the customer experience, and the commercial performance of equity and fixed income services.Leadership and team managementLead and grow the trading services team, covering equity and fixed income services, trading operations, and customer careSet clear objectives, build a strong operating culture, and develop the leaders who report to this roleBuild succession plans and hire for critical roles across the businessRegulatory compliance and riskOwn the trading service's compliance with the Iraqi Securities Commission (ISC) requirements, including licensing, ongoing reporting, and conduct obligationsOversee the risk management framework for client funds, trade execution, settlement, and operational risk, working with the dedicated compliance and risk managers the business is appointing under the licensing rulesMaintain strong, accurate, and timely relationships with regulators, and ensure that every launch and product change has a documented record of approvals and open itemsEnsure AML/KYC, sanctions screening, and client-asset safeguarding meet local and international standardsProduct and trading operationsDefine the product roadmap for equity and fixed income services, prioritising launch readiness, customer value, and regulatory fitOversee trading operations: order handling, settlement, reconciliations, corporate actions, client statements, and the wind-down and migration processes when requiredSet pricing, funding, and fee structures in line with regulatory guidance and the commercial strategyTechnology and provider managementLead the selection, contracting, and performance management of technology and infrastructure providers, including brokerage partners, OMS/bridge providers, KYC vendors, and back-office systemsWork closely with product and engineering to deliver a secure, reliable, Arabic-first customer experienceManage vendor risk, service-level agreements, and partner communications, including contractual confidentiality termsMarketing and customerPartner with marketing to build awareness and adoption among young Iraqi investors, with compliant and accurate communicationsOwn customer care for trading services: service standards, complaints handling, escalation paths, and customer satisfaction measuresTrack and report on key metrics such as activation, funding, retention, complaints, and net promoter scoreGovernance and reportingPrepare regular reports for the executive team and board on performance, risk, compliance status, and open issuesRepresent the trading services business in internal and external forumsRequirementsAt least 10 years of experience in financial services, with at least 5 years in a senior role in securities brokerage, trading, or investment servicesHands-on experience with equity trading operations and, preferably, fixed incomeProven experience leading and developing teams of 20 or more people across multiple functionsExperience building and launching financial products, from concept through regulatory approval to go-liveExperience managing technology and outsourcing providers, including contract negotiation and performance oversightWorking knowledge of securities regulation, licensing requirements, AML/KYC, and client-asset protectionExperience managing customer care operations in a regulated financial environmentStrong written and spoken Arabic and English