Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Company: Aurora Payments Employment Type: Full-Time | Remote Department: Executive Leadership & Operations Level: C-Suite Executive

Position Overview

Aurora Payments is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead day-to-day business operations, strengthen organizational performance, and support the company's continued growth in the payments industry.

This role calls for an executive who understands the operational and financial demands of payment processing, merchant services, and technology-enabled financial solutions. The COO will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership to translate business strategy into disciplined execution, improve operational scalability, and ensure that the organization delivers consistent results.

The successful candidate will bring strong financial judgment, hands-on operational leadership, and experience building teams and processes in a fast-moving financial technology environment.

Key Responsibilities

Lead company-wide operations, establishing clear performance expectations, operational priorities, and accountability across departments.

Partner with the CEO and executive leadership to develop business strategies, operating plans, and organizational growth initiatives.

Oversee operational performance across merchant services, payment operations, customer support, and related business functions.

Work closely with Finance to manage operating budgets, financial forecasts, expense controls, and profit and loss (P&L) performance.

Evaluate transaction processing costs, service delivery expenses, operating margins, and revenue performance to identify opportunities for improvement.

Develop scalable operating procedures that support business expansion while maintaining service quality and financial discipline.

Collaborate with Risk, Compliance, and Technology teams to strengthen transaction monitoring, operational controls, and payment processing reliability.

Oversee initiatives designed to improve merchant onboarding, customer service, issue resolution, and overall client experience.

Establish key performance indicators covering operational efficiency, processing performance, customer retention, service quality, and profitability.

Identify opportunities to automate workflows, improve internal systems, and reduce unnecessary operational costs.

Coordinate with Sales and Business Development to ensure that commercial commitments align with operational capacity and service capabilities.

Manage relationships with payment technology providers, financial institutions, processing partners, and other strategic vendors.

Support executive decisions involving capital allocation, technology investments, business expansion, and strategic partnerships.

Lead organizational planning, talent development, and succession initiatives across operational departments.

Provide regular operational and financial performance reports to the CEO and executive leadership.

Qualifications

15+ years of progressive experience in business operations, financial services, payment processing, financial technology, or related executive leadership roles.

At least 8 years of senior management experience overseeing complex operations, business units, or cross-functional leadership teams.

Strong knowledge of payment processing, merchant services, financial transaction operations, and the broader payments ecosystem.

Demonstrated experience managing operational budgets, financial forecasts, cost structures, and P&L performance.

Advanced understanding of financial planning, profitability analysis, cash flow considerations, and operational risk management.

Experience improving operational efficiency, developing scalable business processes, and leading organizational change.

Familiarity with payment industry compliance requirements, PCI DSS, transaction security, and financial services risk controls.

Experience working with financial institutions, payment processors, technology providers, and enterprise clients.

Strong analytical capabilities and proficiency with financial reporting, business intelligence, and operational performance systems.

Excellent executive communication, negotiation, organizational leadership, and strategic decision-making skills.

A bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Operations Management, or a related discipline is required. An MBA or relevant advanced degree is preferred.

Ideal Candidate

You are an accomplished operations executive who understands how financial discipline, operational reliability, and customer experience contribute to success in the payments industry.

You have experience managing complex business operations, improving financial performance, and leading teams through periods of growth and organizational change.

You understand payment transaction economics, merchant relationships, operational risk, and the importance of maintaining reliable financial services.

You are comfortable working directly with the CEO, senior executives, financial partners, and technology leaders to resolve challenges and make important business decisions.

Most importantly, you bring practical leadership, strong financial judgment, and the ability to build an efficient, accountable organization that supports sustainable growth.

Pay: $254,000.00 - $308,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Tempe, AZ 85281