Are you a strategic leader who thrives at the intersection of technology, business development, and market disruption? We are partnering with a leading organisation operating at the heart of European market infrastructure to find an exceptional Director of Innovation & New Business. Our client is seeking a commercially astute, visionary leader to define and execute a forward-thinking innovation and business development strategy. Reporting directly to the senior leadership team, this role carries a broad, highly strategic mandate. You will lead a focused team and act as the organisation's primary engine for growth, innovation, and transformation.

Key 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.

Requirements

• 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).

Benefits

Salary €130,000 – €150,000 gross per annum

Standard Benefits apply

Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.

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Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under EU law and the laws of the respective EU member states.

Commitment to Diversity

Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected. We recognize and celebrate the cultural diversity across EU member states.

Reasonable Accommodations

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with EU Directive 2000/78/EC and national laws of EU member states. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.

Compensation Information

For client positions, compensation information will be provided in accordance with applicable EU and national laws. When required by law, salary information will be included in job postings or provided during the recruitment process. We are committed to pay transparency and equal pay for equal work, in line with EU Directive 2006/54/EC and national laws on pay equity.

Compliance with Laws

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with EU laws, directives, and regulations, as well as national laws of EU member states governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Workplace Harassment

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on any protected characteristic under EU law and the laws of EU member states. This includes, but is not limited to, harassment based on race, ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, age, disability, or genetic information.

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We process personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable national data protection laws. For more information about how we collect and process personal data for recruitment and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.

Pay Equity

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable EU and national laws.

Working Time and Leave

We comply with EU Directive 2003/88/EC concerning certain aspects of the organization of working time, as well as national laws of EU member states regarding working hours, rest periods, and leave entitlements.

Health and Safety

We are committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment in accordance with EU Framework Directive 89/391/EEC on Safety and Health at Work and relevant national laws of EU member states.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment
Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.

Works Councils and Employee Representation

We respect the rights of employees to form and join works councils and other forms of employee representation in accordance with EU Directive 2009/38/EC and national laws of EU member states.

Country-Specific Declarations

While this policy provides a general framework applicable across the EU, it's important to note that specific employment laws can vary significantly between EU member states. To ensure full compliance with local regulations, we make the following provisions:

Local Law Compliance: In addition to EU-wide regulations, we comply with all national laws and regulations of the specific EU member state where the employment takes place.
Country-Specific Addenda: For each EU country where we operate, we maintain country-specific addenda to this policy. These addenda outline any additional requirements, protections, or procedures mandated by national law that go beyond or differ from EU-wide standards.
Language Requirements: In countries where local law requires that employment policies be provided in the local language, we will make available a properly translated version of this policy and its country-specific addendum.
Notification of Applicable Laws: During the recruitment process, candidates will be informed of the specific national laws that apply to their potential employment, in addition to EU-wide regulations.
Regular Updates: We commit to regularly reviewing and updating our country-specific addenda to reflect any changes in national employment laws.
Precedence of National Law: Where national law provides greater protection or additional rights to employees beyond what is outlined in this general EU policy, the national law will take precedence.
Specific Declarations: Where required by national law, we will make specific declarations regarding matters such as:
Pay transparency and gender pay gap reporting
Working time arrangements
Collective bargaining agreements
Data protection and privacy measures
Whistleblower protection mechanisms
Any quota systems for underrepresented groups in employment
Access to Information: Employees and candidates can request information about the country-specific policies applicable to their employment or potential employment by contacting assistance@kellerexecutivesearch.com.
Genetic Information

In accordance with EU and national laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.

Local Laws

Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate within the EU.


Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location within the EU.

Directeur de l'Innovation & de la Croissance – Infrastructure de Marché Européen

Présentation du Poste

Êtes-vous un penseur stratégique qui s'épanouit à la croisée de la technologie, du commerce et de l'évolution des marchés ? Nous travaillons en partenariat avec une organisation bien établie, située au centre de l'écosystème de l'infrastructure de marché européen, pour nommer un(e) Directeur(trice) de l'Innovation & de la Croissance de haut niveau. Le client recherche un(e) dirigeant(e) doté(e) d'un sens aigu des affaires et d'une vision prospective, capable d'élaborer et de porter un programme ambitieux de croissance et d'innovation.

Ce poste est rattaché aux plus hauts niveaux de l'entreprise et s'accompagne d'un périmètre stratégique véritablement étendu. Vous piloterez une équipe resserrée et prendrez la responsabilité du principal moteur d'expansion commerciale, d'innovation et de transformation de l'organisation.

Principales Missions

• Encadrement d'Équipe & Développement des Talents : Prendre la tête d'une équipe compétente intervenant sur le développement commercial, l'analyse stratégique et la gestion des comptes clés ; instaurer un environnement marqué par l'engagement, la rigueur intellectuelle et l'esprit d'équipe.
• Accélération de l'Expansion Commerciale : Concevoir et déployer la feuille de route de l'organisation en matière d'innovation et de nouvelles activités, en repérant les opportunités émergentes dans l'infrastructure de marché européen, qu'il s'agisse de nouvelles sources de revenus, de secteurs adjacents ou de rapprochements stratégiques.
• Conseil Auprès de la Direction Générale : Jouer le rôle de conseiller(ère) privilégié(e) du PDG ; produire et présenter des analyses stratégiques percutantes, études de cas et études de marché destinées aux comités exécutifs et au conseil d'administration.
• Développement d'Alliances Stratégiques : Rechercher, cultiver et pérenniser des alliances, coentreprises et relations clients à fort impact, venant renforcer la trajectoire de croissance de l'organisation.
• Articulation entre Agendas Commerciaux & Technologiques : Incarner le tissu conjonctif entre la stratégie commerciale et l'exécution technique, en défendant le cloud, le DevOps et la transformation numérique comme leviers d'un avantage concurrentiel durable.
• Promotion d'une Approche Moderne du Leadership : Renforcer la démarche globale de l'organisation vers un leadership plus réactif, adaptatif et cohérent.
• Lecture de l'Environnement Concurrentiel & Réglementaire : Surveiller de près les évolutions des dynamiques de marché, l'activité des concurrents et l'environnement réglementaire européen ; transformer ces observations en orientations stratégiques claires et en recommandations pour l'équipe dirigeante.
• Contribution aux Opérations de M&A : Contribuer activement à l'identification et à l'évaluation de candidats à l'acquisition, d'opportunités de partenariat ou d'investissements stratégiques qui viennent compléter les ambitions à long terme de l'organisation.

Profil Recherché

• Maîtrise professionnelle de l'anglais.
• Historique clair de conquête de nouveaux territoires commerciaux, que ce soit par de nouvelles opportunités, des partenariats stratégiques ou des stratégies d'entrée sur le marché.
• Parcours de niveau senior en développement commercial, stratégie ou innovation, de préférence acquis dans les services financiers, l'infrastructure de marché, les marchés de capitaux, la fintech ou un domaine étroitement lié.
• Connaissance approfondie de l'environnement de l'infrastructure de marché européen.
• Excellentes compétences en communication et en gestion des parties prenantes ; parfaitement à l'aise auprès du comité exécutif et du conseil d'administration.
• Capacité avérée à concevoir et déployer des stratégies commerciales sophistiquées et multi-parties prenantes dans un cadre réglementé.
• Bonne compréhension du cloud, du DevOps et des programmes de transformation numérique, ainsi que le discernement commercial nécessaire pour convertir ces capacités en valeur pour l'entreprise.
• Expérience dans la constitution et la direction d'équipes compactes et performantes.

Atouts Appréciés

• Maîtrise d'autres langues européennes (le français, l'allemand, le néerlandais, l'italien ou l'espagnol seront appréciés).
• MBA ou qualification postuniversitaire équivalente en commerce, finance, économie ou management des technologies.
• Réseau actif au sein des marchés financiers européens, des organismes réglementaires ou des fournisseurs technologiques.
• Implication concrète dans des opérations de M&A, que ce soit via l'identification de cibles, la due diligence ou le pilotage de l'intégration post-transaction.

Rémunération

Salaire : Rémunération executive compétitive, indicativement comprise entre 130 000 € et 150 000 € bruts par an, selon l'expérience et le profil. Le package final sera discuté avec les candidats présélectionnés.

Avantages standards applicables.