The Head of Europe will be responsible for scaling KAST’s presence across the European Union, managing complex post-merger integrations, and overseeing a high-stakes regulatory landscape. The role will cover Product, Growth, Partners and Commercial as we line up the region for success.
Strategic Objectives:
Strategic Objectives:
- Entity Integration: Lead the comprehensive integration of the acquired UK and EU entities, ensuring continuity of talent and systems.
- Regulatory Leadership: Drive the "Change of Control" and re-authorisation processes in collaboration with external legal and regulatory advisors (TBC based on timing of role change)
- Operational Scaling: Oversee the expansion of European operations to support growth in fiat transfers and card spend.
- Product Market Fit: Successfully launch and scale KAST Business and KAST Private within the European market post acquisition
What You’ll Be Doing
Post-Merger Integration & Leadership
- Manage the transition of Gemini’s UK and EU team members to KAST, fostering a unified high-performance culture.
- Coordinate post merger with Latham & Watkins (legal) and FS Com (regulatory)
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
- Ensure the business model adheres to the legal opinions required for cross-border collections and payouts.
- Ensure the KAST products fit under the new licences
Financial Partnerships
- Oversee the critical partnership with partners managing the transition from Phase I (Operational accounts) to Phase II (Client money accounts).
- Negotiate and optimize commercial pricing for European operational flows to maintain high net margins.
Growth & Product Strategy
- Scale the user base to meet aggressive MAU targets through localized marketing and incentive programs.
- Drive adoption for KAST Business leveraging KAST’s premium market positioning.
- Identify opportunities for direct issuance
What You'll Bring
- 10+ years in a senior executive role (GM, Managing Director, VP Growth) at a high-growth Fintech, Neobank, or Crypto Payments platform,
- Direct CBI Track Record: Proven experience dealing directly with the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) on license applications, supervisory visits, or PCF role approvals (e.g., PCF-1 / Executive Director, PCF-2, PCF-11, or similar).
- Regulator Engagement: First-hand experience leading license applications or post-licensing supervisions with European regulators
- M&A / Team Integration: Proven experience managing post-merger integrations, restructuring teams, and unifying distinct organizational cultures following an acquisition or asset transfer.
- Payment Product Native: In-depth knowledge of B2B payment flows (cross-border settlements, global IBANs, batch payouts) and B2C/C2C products (debit cards, P2P transfers).
- Mandatory to be based in Ireland