Head of Technology Operations UAE

Since being founded in 2018, Copper has been building the standard for institutional digital asset infrastructure with a focus on custody, collateral management, and prime services. Led by Amar Kuchinad, Copper’s Global CEO, the firm provides a comprehensive suite of custody, trading and settlement solutions that reduce counterparty risk and bring greater capital and operational efficiency to digital asset markets. At the heart of Copper's offering is Multi‑Party Computation (MPC) technology – the gold standard in secure custody. Copper’s multi‑award winning custody system is unique in that it can be connected to centralised exchanges, DeFi applications and even staking pools without the assets leaving the custody. Built on top of this state‑of‑the‑art custody, ClearLoop is the first solution in the market that overcomes a growing industry challenge; counterparty risk with exchanges. This solution underpins a full prime services offering, connecting global exchanges, and enabling customers to trade and settle directly from the safety of their MPC‑secured wallets. By reducing settlement time for transfers to a few milliseconds (without blockchain network dependency) and offering enhanced security measures, ClearLoop is rapidly reshaping the way asset managers trade and manage capital. In addition to industry‑leading security certifications, Copper has one of the strongest insurance coverages in the industry from an A+ rated insurer, positioning the firm as the partner of choice for institutions seeking to safeguard their assets.

Department/Team Purpose

Technology Operations is responsible for the management, operational and technical support of our corporate and product platforms and infrastructure. The Technology Operations functions play a critical role guiding and supporting the product and engineering functions to deliver strategic technology initiatives, programs, and large projects across the company. The Technology Operations functions provide major incident management and empower the business and engineering functions with the data and insights they need to make key infrastructure decisions. The Technology Operations function is also the entry point for client contact. Providing strategic direction, support, governance and transparency across the Global 24×7×365 Client Operations function.

Role Purpose

The Head of Technology Operations UAE is responsible for overseeing all operations and technology functions within the region. They are accountable to the SEO and their functional Group Manager for the effective day‑to‑day delivery of CSL’s technology‑enabled operations, ensuring robust service management, change delivery and operational resilience for CSL’s regulated activities. Working closely with the Global CTO, the technology leadership team and senior stakeholders across CSL and the wider Copper group, the Head of Technology Operations UAE translates CSL’s strategy and regulatory obligations into disciplined execution, measurable outcomes and transparent management information for senior governance forums.

Key Responsibilities

• Regional Responsibilities:
  • Establish and lead operations management and control execution for CSL’s client operations and services, including custody operational processes (as applicable) and service quality.
  • Maintain a robust and compliant first‑line operational control environment across technology‑enabled processes, including clear procedures, segregation of duties, maker‑checker controls and reconciliations.
  • Ensure operational resilience including incident, problem, change and continuity of coordination (BCP/DR planning and testing coordination).
  • Oversee Technology service delivery to CSL (including oversight of intra‑group and third‑party services supporting CSL’s technology stack).
  • Oversee outsourcing and vendor for operational and technology services, including performance, SLA governance, incidents and remediation.
  • Manage local change delivery for initiatives impacting CSL (technology, product, process, operating model and organizational changes).
  • Coordinate Internal and External Audit conduct and ensure closure of operational/technology‑related findings.
  • Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to maintain operating framework, documentation and records supporting regulatory requirements (policies/procedures, outsourcing registers, incident logs, change records, audit trails).
  • Support the SEO with committee materials, operational updates and transparent reporting; provide regular MI/KRIs for ExCo and ARCC.
  • Represent the technology and operations function in client and regulatory meetings.
• Global Responsibilities:
  • Develop and execute the CSL technology strategy in alignment with local CSL strategy and global corporate objectives.
  • Act as a central point of contact, strategic partner and CTO for the global tech team with the senior leadership in CSL.
  • Contribute to the strategic direction of the global Client Operations team.
  • Support the global Service Management function, acting as a regional escalation point for major issues/incidents.
  • Mitigate technology risks through proactive planning and contingency measures.
  • Oversee relationships with local vendors, service providers and technology partners.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experience (15+ years) in operational leadership roles with an important technology angle in Financial Services and regulated sectors, preferably within a Fintech and/or digital assets space firm for 3+ years.
• Proven experience managing a regional affiliate operating on a global technology stack.
• In‑depth knowledge of the UAE market and its regulatory environment.
• Proven experience in setting‑up and scaling up a first‑line operational control environment across technology‑enabled processes.
• Strong understanding of enterprise IT infrastructure, software development lifecycles and cloud technologies.
• Demonstrated capability managing outsourced functions, shared services and third‑party providers, including SLA governance and incident management.
• Experience coordinating audits and delivering remediation in a disciplined, well‑documented manner.
• Client facing experience.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of security best practices and compliance standards.
• Knowledge of Agile, Product and project management.
• Strong ITIL background.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off – 25 days annual leave per annum in addition to local bank holidays. Employees also receive one additional day of annual leave for each year of service.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

Equal Opportunity Statement

Copper is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunities in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Copper is a Disability Confident Employer; please let us know if you have a disability. If you require us to provide any assistance during the recruitment process, we will be happy to accommodate.