Head of Risk, Compliance & Licensing (Fintech)

About the role

A client of the recruiter is building infrastructure for seamless cross-border payments across emerging markets, using local payment rails, wallets and liquidity systems. As the business grows, strong risk management and regulatory discipline are essential. The Head of Risk, Compliance & Licensing leads all risk and regulatory functions across multiple markets in a hands-on leadership role, requiring deep fintech or payments experience and the ability to work across jurisdictions.

Key responsibilities

• Risk management: develop and maintain a company-wide risk framework, identify and monitor operational, financial, regulatory and reputational risks, assess new products, markets and partnerships, design mitigation strategies and internal controls, and report regularly to executive leadership.
• Regulatory compliance: stay up to date on fintech and payments regulations, act as the main liaison with regulators, manage filings, reporting and audits.
• AML/CFT, KYC/CDD and financial crime: lead AML/CFT, KYC/CDD and transaction monitoring, oversee suspicious activity detection and reporting, implement sanctions screening and fraud prevention controls.
• Licensing: assess regulatory requirements for new and existing markets, identify licensing needs, lead end-to-end licensing with regulators and ensure ongoing compliance during market entry.
• Policies, controls and governance: develop compliance policies, conduct audits and gap assessments, and embed compliance into products, operations and partnerships.
• Data protection and privacy: ensure compliance with data protection laws (e.g. GDPR), oversee data security frameworks and conduct data protection impact assessments where required.
• Partner compliance: support onboarding of banks, PSPs and partners, and conduct due diligence on them.
• Training and culture: build a strong compliance culture, train teams on regulatory requirements and advise internal teams.

Required profile

• 5-8+ years of experience in risk and compliance within fintech, payments or financial services.
• Proven experience assessing markets and securing regulatory licenses.
• Experience operating across multiple jurisdictions (Africa preferred).
• Proven track record managing regulators, audits and reporting.
• Preferred: certifications such as CAMS, CFE, CIPP or equivalent; experience in cross-border payments or digital wallets; exposure to crypto or digital assets; experience in a high-growth or startup environment.

Required skills

• Understanding of AML/CFT frameworks, KYC/CDD processes and sanctions compliance
• Knowledge of payments regulations and licensing
• Analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with strong attention to detail

The role suits someone who wants high ownership and regional impact, building risk and compliance frameworks across several jurisdictions. Applications are made by sending a CV to the recruiter's contact.