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 management

• Lead and grow the trading services team, covering equity and fixed income services, trading operations, and customer care.
• Set clear objectives, build a strong operating culture, and develop the leaders who report to this role.
• Build succession plans and hire for critical roles across the business.

Regulatory compliance and risk

• Own the trading service’s compliance with the Iraqi Securities Commission (ISC) requirements, including licensing, ongoing reporting, and conduct obligations.
• Oversee 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 rules.
• Maintain strong, accurate, and timely relationships with regulators, and ensure that every launch and product change has a documented record of approvals and open items.
• Ensure AML/KYC, sanctions screening, and client-asset safeguarding meet local and international standards.

Product and trading operations

• Define the product roadmap for equity and fixed income services, prioritising launch readiness, customer value, and regulatory fit.
• Oversee trading operations: order handling, settlement, reconciliations, corporate actions, client statements, and the wind-down and migration processes when required.
• Set pricing, funding, and fee structures in line with regulatory guidance and the commercial strategy.

Technology and provider management

• Lead the selection, contracting, and performance management of technology and infrastructure providers, including brokerage partners, OMS/bridge providers, KYC vendors, and back-office systems.
• Work closely with product and engineering to deliver a secure, reliable, Arabic-first customer experience.
• Manage vendor risk, service-level agreements, and partner communications, including contractual confidentiality terms.

Marketing and customer

• Partner with marketing to build awareness and adoption among young Iraqi investors, with compliant and accurate communications.
• Own customer care for trading services: service standards, complaints handling, escalation paths, and customer satisfaction measures.
• Track and report on key metrics such as activation, funding, retention, complaints, and net promoter score.

Governance and reporting

• Prepare regular reports for the executive team and board on performance, risk, compliance status, and open issues.
• Represent the trading services business in internal and external forums.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in financial services, with at least 5 years in a senior role in securities brokerage, trading, or investment services.
• Hands-on experience with equity trading operations and, preferably, fixed income.
• Proven experience leading and developing teams of 20 or more people across multiple functions.
• Experience building and launching financial products, from concept through regulatory approval to go-live.
• Experience managing technology and outsourcing providers, including contract negotiation and performance oversight.
• Working knowledge of securities regulation, licensing requirements, AML/KYC, and client-asset protection.
• Experience managing customer care operations in a regulated financial environment.
• Strong written and spoken Arabic and English.