Director of Innovation & New Business - European Market Infrastructure

Overview

Director of Innovation & New Business – Infrastructure of European Market. A strategic leadership role at the intersection of technology, business development, and market disruption, reporting to the senior leadership team with a broad, highly strategic mandate to drive growth, innovation, and transformation.

Responsibilities

• Drive Strategic Growth: Define and execute the organisation's innovation and new business strategy, identifying emerging opportunities across European market infrastructure, including new revenue streams, adjacent markets, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead & Develop a High-Performing Team: Manage and mentor a talented team spanning business development, strategic analysis, and account management; foster a culture of ambition, rigour, and collaboration.
• Bridge Business & Technology: Act as a strategic connector between commercial objectives and technology capabilities, championing cloud adoption, DevOps practices, and digital transformation to unlock competitive advantage.
• Navigate the Competitive & Regulatory Landscape: Monitor market dynamics, competitive positioning, and regulatory developments across Europe; translate insights into actionable strategy and executive-level recommendations.
• Build & Manage Strategic Partnerships: Identify, develop, and maintain high-value partnerships, alliances, and client relationships that support the organisation's growth objectives.
• Support M&A Activity: Play an active role in identifying and evaluating potential acquisition targets, partnerships, or investments that align with the organisation's long-term strategic vision.
• Executive Engagement: Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO; prepare and present strategic analyses, business cases, and market assessments at board and executive level.
• Champion a Modern Leadership Culture: Contribute to a broader shift towards a more proactive, agile, and holistic approach to leadership across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior business development, strategy, or innovation leadership role, ideally within financial services, market infrastructure, capital markets, fintech, or a closely related sector.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute complex, multi-stakeholder commercial strategies in a regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of European market infrastructure.
• Experience leading and growing small, high-impact teams.
• Track record of identifying and securing new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, or market-entry strategies.
• Familiarity with cloud, DevOps, and digital transformation programmes, ability to translate technology capability into business value.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills; comfortable operating at C-suite and board level.
• Fluent in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting or leading M&A processes, including target identification, due diligence, or integration planning.
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree in business, finance, economics, or technology management.
• Established network within European financial markets, regulators, or technology vendors.
• Additional European language skills (French, German, Dutch, Italian, or Spanish advantageous).

Package

Salaries: €130,000 – €150,000 gross per annum, depending on experience and profile. The final package will be discussed with shortlisted candidates. Standard benefits apply.

About Keller Executive Search

Keller Executive Search is a recruitment agency serving clients ranging from startups and non-profits to multinational corporations, emphasising ethical search processes, candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term outcomes.

Equal Opportunity

Equal Employment Opportunity statements apply. Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.