General Manager - UK
General Manager - UK
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Job Description
About
Swan is Europes embedded banking specialist. We empower software companies to embed banking features like accounts cards and payments directly into their products under their own processes over 1.5 billion in monthly transactions for more than 150 companieslike Pennylane Indy Agicap Libeo and Lucca. Founded in 2019 the company has received growth capital from leading investors such as Lakestar Accel Creandum Bpifrance and Eight Roads. Swan is a principal member of Mastercard and a licensed financial institution regulated by the French banking authority (ACPR).
Our mission
Banking belongs in business software
Many software companies already serve small businesses incredibly well: helping them send invoices run payroll manage inventory and more. Theyre on a mission to become the central hub for managing every aspect of business life.
But when it comes to financial workflows theres still a gap. Too many critical tasks like managing cash flow tracking payments or reconciling accounts happen outside the software across spreadsheets email threads banking portals.
Its a missed opportunity. Business software shouldnt just record financial activity it should run it.
To learn more about us: About Swan ; Our story.
Job description
Swans is heading to the UK and needs someone to pave the way for the company to become a key player in the UK FinTech ecosystem.
As an Electronic Money Institution Swan faces many product legal and regulatory challenges when conducting its business and operations : explaining embedded finance to potential partners localising its product to each markets fighting money laundering protecting clients funds working with legitimate partners etc.
Your mission
The GM will help secure the EMI license with the UK MLRO build and manage the local team set up operations drive commercial growth (Sales & Account Management) and ensure alignment with the European entity all in preparation for a Q1 2026 launch.
Main Tasks:
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the branchs business strategy ensuring it aligns with the companys overall vision and objectives. Lead the establishment of the branch from infrastructure setup to operational strategy formulation. Run the company corporate obligation with the leadership team from Europe.
- Business Development: Identify and capitalize on business opportunities in the UK to engage sign and onboard our UK first customers. Build and maintain strong relationships with key players in the ecosystem (e.g. thought leader public official adjacent player competitor)
- Operations Management: Oversee the daily operations of the branch ensuring efficiency quality and cost-effective management of resources. Localise European processes and systems to support business operations and report on operational performance.
- Compliance and Regulation: Support the Compliance team to gain the FCA approval. Ensure the branch operates in compliance with all local regulatory requirements and laws as well as internal policies. Adapt Swans use cases to the UK regulation with the support of the Compliance team. Stay updated with changes in the financial regulatory environment to adjust strategies accordingly.
- Team Leadership: Recruit train and manage a high-performing team to achieve the branchs goals. Foster a culture of innovation accountability and teamwork. The team will start with the leadership group that will expand as business grows (sales finance account manager)
- Financial Management: Develop and manage the branchs budget ensuring financial objectives are met. Monitor financial performance make adjustments to operations and strategies and report financial status to senior management.
- Product Development and Innovation: Work closely with the product development team to include UK key product requirements in the company roadmap.
- Marketing and Branding: Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and implement marketing strategies that align with the branch goals and increase brand visibility within the UK market.
- Risk Management: Identify potential risks related to business operations and implement effective mitigation strategies. Ensure a framework for risk assessment and management is in place.
Preferred experience
Youre a great match if:
- You have 6 to 10 years of experience in Product or Payment Operations within the UK market ideally in a FinTech environment and are ready to step into a Head of / VP-level role.
- You thrive on building from the ground up whether its launching operations hiring a team or securing regulatory approvals.
- You bring strategic vision and know how to define and communicate a clear market plan for the UK while aligning with a broader European strategy.
- Youre a strong leader who knows how to inspire hire for potential and culture fit and develop high-performing teams.
- You have a deep understanding of payments compliance and regulatory environments and know how to turn constraints into opportunities.
- Youre financially savvy experienced in managing budgets and forecasting and confident in taking ownership of P&L.
- You always keep the customer front and center and have a track record of using feedback to guide product priorities and strengthen long-term relationships.
- Youre comfortable with risk identifying mitigating and collaborating closely with local and HQ teams to stay ahead of it.
- Youre a problem-solver who prioritizes action based on customer impact and strategic value.
- Youre a skilled negotiator able to secure favorable terms and close deals that make sense for the business.
- You adapt quickly in the face of change and have already proven your ability to successfully launch and scale a business.
- Youre a clear communicator able to convey complex ideas and company goals to stakeholders of all kinds.
Its okay if you dont tick all the boxes dont let imposter syndrome prevent you from applying!
Swan is committed to providing a caring work environment for all employees regardless of age sex disability sexual orientation race religion or belief.
When it comes to recruitment were interested in your work experience skills and overall personality. Because diversity makes the workplace stronger and is necessary for Swans success we are intensifying efforts to incorporate concrete actions to help us improve in this area.
About Swan
Perks of being a Swanee:
- Holidays: 27 days of paid leave.
- Hybrid remote policy: We offer the possibility of working from home for 2 days per week.
- Offsite: Once a year we gather to reconnect deep-dive into big topics and relax.
- This isnt a perk it should be the rule but diversity and inclusion are important at Swan. Were working hard to get better every day.
Our values:
Swans core values guide our actions daily. Individually they may seem obvious but together they form a unique culture.
Simplicity: Leonardo Da Vinci said: simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. If somethings convoluted or confusing we work extra hard to break it down. - Making complex things simple is what we do.
Long Term: We always play the long game whether its to support our partners in their growth journey or make tangible commitments to climate action.
Excellence: We are a team of experts who consistently go all out to create pixel-perfect banking services and exceed our partners expectations whatever it takes.
Be Human: We believe in the power of kindness and the importance of acting with integrity. But embracing our humanity extends beyond interpersonal interactions it means caring about greater issues that affect our planet.
You can find out more about our culture.
Recruitment process
- A 30-min video call with our Talent Acquisition Manager to get to know you understand your career expectations and answer your question
- A 1-hour interview with our Chief Revenue Officer
- A case study
- A peer interview
- An interview with our CEO
Employment Type
Full Time
