COO - Family Office

About the Family Office: Our client is a single-family office based in Hong Kong, managing multi-generational wealth with a focus on diversified investments, philanthropy, and legacy preservation. We are seeking a strategic and hands-on COO to enhance operational efficiency, with particular emphasis on tax optimization and cultivating strong relationships with banking partners.

Job Summary: The COO will oversee all operations to ensure seamless execution of the family office's objectives. This role demands a leader with deep expertise in operational management, particularly in navigating Hong Kong's tax landscape and fostering key relationships with private and investment bankers. The ideal candidate will integrate functions such as finance, compliance, legal, HR, and family governance, while driving efficiency and risk mitigation in a high-net-worth environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership: Develop and implement comprehensive operational strategies to align with the family office's long-term goals, including oversight of daily activities across HR, finance, compliance, administrative functions, IT/cybersecurity, and asset management.
• Tax Management and Compliance: Lead tax planning, mitigation, and compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to Hong Kong's territorial tax system, international tax treaties, and cross-border regulations. Coordinate with external tax advisors to optimize structures for wealth succession, estate planning, and philanthropic initiatives, while minimizing liabilities in a multi-jurisdictional context.
• Banking and Stakeholder Relationships: Build and maintain strategic partnerships with private banks, investment banks, and financial institutions in Hong Kong and globally. Act as the primary point of contact for banking services, including wealth management, financing, credit facilities, and investment opportunities, to support asset growth and liquidity needs. Negotiate terms, monitor performance, and leverage these relationships to enhance the family office's access to exclusive deals and market insights.
• Risk and Regulatory Oversight: Serve as the key liaison with regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), enhancing the compliance framework for licensed activities and mitigating operational risks.
• Family Governance and Succession: Support family governance structures, including succession planning, next-generation education, and alignment of family values with operational decisions.
• Financial and Budget Management: Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and cash management, ensuring accurate accounting and integration with investment strategies.
• Team Management and Development: Lead a multidisciplinary team, fostering a collaborative culture while recruiting and developing talent to meet evolving family needs.
• Technology and Process Optimization: Implement advanced systems for operational efficiency, including data security and digital tools for tax and banking integrations.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Law, Accounting, or a related field; advanced qualifications such as MBA, CPA, Com Sec or CFA preferred. 
• Experience: 20+ years in senior operational roles within family offices, private banking, wealth management, or financial services. Proven track record in tax strategy for high-net-worth clients and managing banker relationships in a global context. Experience with SFC-regulated entities is advantageous.
• Skills:
  • Strong expertise in tax optimization, compliance, and cross-border planning.
  • Exceptional relationship-building abilities, with a network in Hong Kong's banking sector.
  • Strategic thinking, adaptability, and interpersonal skills to navigate family dynamics.
  • Proficiency in financial modeling, risk management, and operational technologies.
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills, with fluency in English; Mandarin and Cantonese preferred.
• Personal Attributes: Discreet, trustworthy, and client-focused, with the ability to handle sensitive information in a high-stakes environment.