The Head of Risk, Compliance & Licensing (Fintech) is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the company's risk management framework, ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and leading the licensing process for new markets. The role focuses on identifying potential risks, maintaining strong anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) protocols, and fostering a robust compliance culture within a high-growth fintech environment.
Key Responsibilities
Risk Management
- Develop and maintain a company-wide risk management framework.
- Identify, assess, and monitor operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational risks.
- Conduct risk assessments for new products, markets, and partnerships.
- Design and implement mitigation strategies and internal controls.
- Provide regular risk reporting to executive leadership.
Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with local and cross-border regulatory frameworks.
- Stay updated on fintech and payments regulations across markets.
- Act as the primary liaison with regulators and supervisory bodies.
- Manage regulatory filings, reporting, and audits.
AML / KYC / Financial Crime
- Lead AML/CFT, KYC/CDD, and transaction monitoring frameworks.
- Oversee suspicious activity detection and reporting.
- Implement sanctions screening and fraud prevention controls.
- Continuously strengthen financial crime risk controls.
Market Assessment & Licensing
- Assess regulatory requirements for new and existing markets.
- Identify licensing needs and regulatory obligations per jurisdiction.
- Lead end-to-end licensing processes with regulators and internal teams.
- Ensure ongoing compliance throughout market entry and operations.
Policies, Controls & Governance
- Develop and enforce compliance policies and procedures.
- Conduct audits, gap assessments, and ensure audit readiness.
- Maintain strong documentation and internal controls.
- Embed compliance into product, operations, and partnerships.
Data Protection & Privacy
- Ensure compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR and local laws).
- Oversee data security frameworks and controls.
- Conduct data protection impact assessments where required.
Partner & Market Compliance
- Support onboarding of banks, PSPs, and partners.
- Conduct due diligence on partners and counterparties.
- Ensure compliance readiness for market expansion.
Training & Culture
- Build and drive a strong compliance culture across the organization.
- Train teams on regulatory requirements and best practices.
- Provide ongoing advisory support to internal teams.
Requirements
- 5–8+ years’ experience in risk and compliance within fintech, payments, or financial services.
- Proven experience assessing markets and securing regulatory licenses.
- Strong understanding of AML/CFT frameworks, KYC/CDD processes, Sanctions compliance, and Payments regulations and licensing.
- Experience operating across multiple jurisdictions (Africa preferred).
- Proven track record managing regulators, audits, and reporting.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- High attention to detail with strong ownership.
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certifications such as CAMS, CFE, CIPP, or equivalent.
- Experience in cross-border payments or digital wallets.
- Exposure to emerging areas (e.g., crypto, digital assets).
- Experience in a high-growth or startup environment.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the Bridge Talent Management portal at bridgetalentgroup.zohorecruit.com or via the direct application link provided.
