[Hiring] Chief Operating Officer @zerohash

Role Description

zerohash national trust bank is seeking a foundational Chief Operating Officer to help build, launch, and operate the bank from the ground up. Reporting directly to the CEO of zntb, the COO will be the bank's senior-most operational executive, responsible for all aspects of bank operations, trust administration, fiduciary controls, and organizational performance.

This individual will play a pivotal role in:

• Completing pre-opening requirements for OCC charter approval
• Establishing the operational and governance infrastructure required to commence business
• Running a safe and sound banking operation thereafter

The COO will also serve as a designated Fiduciary Officer of the bank, supporting the Trust Officer in fulfilling fiduciary obligations under 12 CFR Part 9, and will be the primary executive accountable for reporting to the zntb Board of Directors on trustee activities, operational KPIs, and institutional performance across the organization.

This is a rare opportunity to build a federally chartered trust bank from inception — ideal for a proven banking operator who combines deep trust and custody expertise with the entrepreneurial drive to stand up a new institution. This fully remote role is open to candidates in the U.S.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in banking operations, trust operations, custody operations, or payments at a federally regulated financial institution.
• Direct experience at a national bank, federally chartered trust company, or equivalent regulated depository institution operating under OCC supervision.
• Deep working knowledge of 12 CFR Part 9 (Fiduciary Activities of National Banks), OCC safety and soundness expectations, and fiduciary examination standards.
• Demonstrated experience managing trust or custodial account administration, including account setup, asset segregation, periodic review, and fiduciary recordkeeping.
• Proven track record of building or managing high-volume, control-intensive operational environments in a regulated banking context.
• Experience reporting to or working directly with a bank Board of Directors, including preparation of board materials, operational KPIs, and governance reporting.
• Strong understanding of bank operational controls, internal audit, and OCC examination processes.
• Experience managing third-party and vendor relationships in a manner consistent with OCC third-party risk expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams in a regulated banking environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to boards, regulators, and senior institutional stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to travel for regulatory meetings, partner engagements, and bank business as required.

Requirements

• Experience at a de novo bank or trust company during the chartering, pre-opening, or early-stage operational period; familiarity with OCC pre-opening requirements under 12 CFR 5.20.
• Experience with digital asset custody, stablecoin operations, or blockchain-based transaction workflows.
• Familiarity with GENIUS Act requirements or other federal stablecoin regulatory frameworks.
• Experience as a designated Fiduciary Officer, Trust Officer, or equivalent under OCC or state trust bank supervision.
• Prior experience at a fintech-sponsored or tech-forward national trust bank.
• Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) or equivalent professional credential.
• Background in payments, cross-border settlement, or institutional custody operations.

Benefits

• Healthcare Insurance: zerohash covers roughly 100% of employee premiums as well as a portion of spouse/children (U.S. only)
• Vision & Dental Insurance (U.S. only)
• Chance to earn equity
• Maternity & Paternity leave (after 6 months)
• WeWork All Access Membership
• WFH Yearly Stipend
• L&D Yearly Stipend (after 6 months)