Associate Director, Operations | EMEA Lisboa

Overview

Associate Director, Operations | EMEA role at Deel. Deel is the
-
- one payroll and HR platform for global teams. Our vision is to unlock global opportunity for every person, team, and business. Deel combines HRIS, payroll, compliance, benefits, performance, and equipment management into one seamless platform. With AI-powered tools and a fully owned payroll infrastructure, Deel supports every worker type in 150+ countries—helping businesses scale smarter, faster, and more compliantly.

Among the largest globally distributed companies, our team spans more than 100 countries, speaks 74 languages, and fosters a connected and dynamic culture that drives learning and innovation for our customers.

As the
- growing Software as a Service (Saa
S) company in history, Deel is transforming how global talent connects with
- class companies—breaking down borders that have traditionally limited both hiring and career opportunities. Deel is building the infrastructure for the future of work, enabling a more diverse and inclusive global economy. In 2024 we paid $11. 2 billion to workers in nearly 100 currencies and provided healthcare and benefits to workers in 109 countries.

The Associate Director, Operations, oversees and optimizes the
-
- day operational functions at Deel, including operational performance, resource management, and process improvement. This role ensures that all operational processes run smoothly, efficiently, and in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals, supporting growth, improving service delivery, and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Analyze workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement scalable process improvements.
• Lead automation initiatives to reduce manual work and improve speed, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Collaborate
  - functionally to enhance tools and remove friction in internal and
  - facing processes.
• Develop and enforce operational controls to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and strengthen security.
• Improve frameworks for fraud prevention, risk management, and regulatory alignment.
• Define, monitor, and optimize key risk indicators to proactively address potential gaps.
• Drive
  - first process improvements to ensure smooth and frictionless interactions.
• Enhance service performance by improving turnaround times, resolution quality, and escalation handling.
• Expand
  - service options to empower customers and reduce reliance on manual support.
• Implement feedback loops to capture insights and guide continuous improvement.
• Oversee operational readiness for expansion into new markets or services.
• Coordinate
  - functional efforts to ensure smooth execution of launches.
• Assess and address operational, regulatory, and compliance considerations for new initiatives.
• Align operational processes with
  -
  - market strategies.
• Ensure seamless onboarding and adoption by identifying and resolving operational bottlenecks.
• Provide frameworks, tools, and resources that enable strong customer outcomes.
• Monitor
  - launch performance and refine processes for continuous improvement.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to execute strategic initiatives and operational projects.
• Establish clear goals, metrics, and reporting mechanisms to track outcomes.
• Act as a strategic partner to leadership, ensuring smooth collaboration and execution across the organization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience managing operations teams in
  - paced environments (Tech/Fin
  Tech startup experience is a plus).
• Proven track record in leading and scaling large teams.
• KPI-driven with a focus on results.
• Experience in building successful products.
• Background in Fin
  Tech, management consulting, investment banking, or
  - paced startups.
• Strong
  - solving,
  - oriented mindset, with attention to detail.
• High energy and practice of first principles thinking.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable insights (SQL is a plus).
• Willingness to actively contribute and collaborate with the team when needed.

Total Rewards

Our workforce deserves fair and competitive pay that meets them where they are. With scalable benefits, rewards, and perks, our total rewards programs reflect our commitment to inclusivity and access for all.

• Stock grant opportunities dependent on your role, employment status and location.
• Additional perks and benefits based on employment status and country.
• The flexibility of remote work, including optional We
  Work access.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

Deel is an
- opportunity employer that values diversity and encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy or maternity, or other legally protected characteristics.

We provide accommodations on request throughout recruitment. If you require accommodation, please inform our Talent Acquisition Team at recruiting@deel.com.

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Location: Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal (remote options may be available).