Vice President of Operations

Vice President of OperationsCompany: Catena Labs Location: United States Workplace Type: Remote Employment Type: Full-time Seniority Level: Executive Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Position OverviewThe Vice President of Operations is responsible for overseeing the company's operational strategy, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and ensuring that business activities are executed efficiently in support of corporate objectives. At Catena Labs, which is building AI-native financial infrastructure and services that enable AI agents to participate in financial transactions within defined governance and control frameworks, this role focuses on operational excellence, cross-functional coordination, scalable business processes, and effective execution across the organization. Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, the Vice President of Operations will translate strategic priorities into operational plans, establish performance management practices, improve internal workflows, and coordinate resources across business functions. The successful candidate will bring strong leadership, analytical judgment, and the ability to build effective operating structures in a dynamic, technology-driven environment. Teams Under Management Business Operations Operational Strategy and Planning Project and Program Management Business Process Improvement Internal Coordination and Performance Management Vendor and Third-Party Operations, as assigned Other operational functions designated by executive leadership Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Strategy and Executive LeadershipDevelop and execute operational strategies aligned with the company's corporate objectives and long-term business priorities. Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to translate strategic initiatives into actionable operational plans. Establish clear operational priorities, performance expectations, and accountability frameworks across relevant departments. Advise executive leadership on operational challenges, organizational capacity, and opportunities to improve business performance. Lead cross-functional initiatives that strengthen execution, improve efficiency, and support sustainable growth. Ensure that operational decisions remain aligned with the company's strategic direction and available resources. Business Process Management and OptimizationEvaluate existing workflows, operating procedures, and internal processes to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. Develop standardized operating procedures and documentation to support consistent execution across the organization. Implement appropriate process controls, escalation procedures, and performance monitoring practices. Coordinate process improvement initiatives that reduce unnecessary complexity and strengthen operational reliability. Establish clear ownership of key workflows and ensure that operational responsibilities are appropriately assigned. Support the development of scalable processes that accommodate evolving business needs and organizational growth. Cross-Functional CoordinationCoordinate with product, engineering, finance, compliance, commercial, and other relevant teams to support effective business execution. Ensure that departmental objectives, project timelines, and operational dependencies are clearly communicated. Facilitate the resolution of cross-functional issues that may affect delivery, productivity, or business continuity. Establish consistent communication and reporting practices across distributed teams. Monitor the implementation of executive decisions and ensure that responsible teams follow through on agreed commitments. Promote collaboration and accountability across the organization. Project and Program ManagementOversee significant operational projects and strategic initiatives from planning through implementation. Establish project objectives, milestones, resource requirements, ownership assignments, and reporting expectations. Monitor project progress, identify potential delays, and coordinate corrective actions when necessary. Maintain visibility into key dependencies, operational risks, and competing priorities. Provide executive leadership with timely updates regarding project status, performance, and implementation challenges. Encourage disciplined project management practices that support timely delivery and measurable business outcomes. Operational Performance and ReportingEstablish and maintain appropriate key performance indicators for operational efficiency, productivity, quality, and execution. Analyze operational data and management reports to identify trends, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities. Develop reporting mechanisms that provide leadership with clear visibility into operational performance. Conduct regular operational reviews with department heads to assess progress against established objectives. Recommend corrective actions when performance falls below expectations or business priorities change. Support data-informed decision-making through accurate reporting, structured analysis, and practical recommendations. Technology and Operational InfrastructureCollaborate with engineering and product teams to improve internal systems, operational tools, and business workflows. Identify opportunities to automate repetitive administrative processes and improve operational productivity. Evaluate operational technology requirements in coordination with relevant technical stakeholders. Support the implementation of tools that improve workflow visibility, documentation, collaboration, and reporting. Help ensure that internal systems and operating procedures can support increasing business complexity. Promote responsible use of automation and AI-enabled tools while maintaining appropriate human oversight and accountability. Financial and Resource ManagementWork with finance leadership to support operational budgeting, expense monitoring, and resource planning. Evaluate staffing, technology, vendor, and infrastructure requirements in relation to business priorities. Identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency without compromising operational quality or control effectiveness. Monitor resource utilization and recommend adjustments based on workload, performance, and strategic requirements. Support operational forecasting and planning to help ensure that resources are allocated appropriately. Escalate material budgetary concerns and resource constraints to executive leadership. Risk Management and Operational ControlsIdentify operational risks that may affect business continuity, service delivery, internal processes, or organizational performance. Work with compliance, legal, security, and other relevant teams to incorporate appropriate controls into operational workflows. Support the development of contingency plans, escalation procedures, and incident management processes. Maintain appropriate documentation and reporting practices for material operational decisions and business processes. Help ensure that operational activities follow applicable legal requirements, company policies, contractual obligations, and delegated authority. Escalate significant operational incidents, control deficiencies, and unresolved risks to the appropriate executives. Vendor and Third-Party CoordinationCoordinate operational relationships with external service providers, contractors, and vendors within the assigned scope of responsibility. Support vendor evaluation, onboarding coordination, service monitoring, and performance reviews. Establish clear expectations regarding service delivery, communication, responsibilities, and issue resolution. Work with relevant internal teams to address vendor-related operational concerns. Monitor third-party dependencies and identify opportunities to improve service quality, efficiency, and continuity. Support appropriate vendor documentation and oversight procedures in coordination with relevant control functions. Remote Team LeadershipLead and coordinate operational teams in a fully remote working environment. Establish effective communication practices, reporting routines, and performance expectations for distributed teams. Promote accountability and timely execution without unnecessary administrative complexity. Support employee development, team planning, and the continuous improvement of management practices. Facilitate effective collaboration across different functions and time zones. Maintain clear visibility into team performance, project progress, and operational priorities through digital management tools. Initial PrioritiesDevelop a comprehensive understanding of the company's operating model, organizational structure, current workflows, and strategic priorities. Review existing operational processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accountability, and cross-functional coordination. Establish an operational roadmap aligned with executive leadership's priorities. Assess current project management, reporting, and performance monitoring practices. Identify opportunities to improve internal systems, workflow automation, and operational documentation. Evaluate resource requirements and operational dependencies across relevant departments. Establish a consistent operating review process to monitor progress, identify challenges, and communicate results to executive leadership. Qualifications and ExperienceSignificant experience in operations management, business operations, program management, or a related leadership function. Demonstrated ability to develop operational strategies and translate business objectives into effective execution plans. Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects in a technology-driven or growth-oriented organization. Strong understanding of process improvement, performance management, resource planning, and organizational development.