Quality, Risk & Governance Lead Compliance Operations

Our financial crime reporting function has grown fast. Weve achieved a lot and built strong operational capabilities but as weve scaled we now need to strengthen and formalise our governance risk and quality frameworks. Its time to focus on the foundations and build them properly.

Weve just created a dedicated Quality Risk & Governance pillar and we need someone who can take what we have and build it into something scalable and robust. Youll report to the Head of Quality Risk & Governance and have your own direct reports - this means youll lead and own your domain. 

This isnt about sitting in back-to-back strategy meetings. This is about rolling up your sleeves getting into the details understanding whats actually happening and creating the frameworks documentation and practices that will scale with us. Youll need a clear vision for what excellent quality control looks like in suspicious activity reporting and the experience to make it real.

If youre the kind of person who gets excited about bringing structure to scale teaching others how to do things right and seeing the direct impact of your work - this could be perfect for you.

Build the foundations

• Design and implement the governance risk and quality control framework for our financial crime reporting function from scratch
• Build a scalable QC function: create the right checks and controls develop reporting that shows whats actually happening and set standards that scale
• Develop operational risk and governance inventory establish clear ownership and accountability and define standards for control testing
• Create comprehensive documentation: frameworks policies SOPs process maps - that teams will actually use

Own quality and control effectiveness

• Design and run risk-based quality checks mapped to material risks and controls
• Oversee internal quality teams and establish standards for quality monitoring and testing
• Use quality outcomes and control data to identify systemic issues and drive improvements
• Ensure we can confidently demonstrate control effectiveness at any time

Audit and regulatory readiness

• Prepare the function for regulatory reviews internal audits and external assurance
• Coordinate audit activity and translate findings into credible remediation plans
• Represent the team in audit situations present findings and challenge conclusions when evidence doesnt support them
• Ensure documentation and control evidence are consistently maintained to a high standard

Drive governance and insight

• Establish governance forums reporting and escalation mechanisms that enable informed decision-making
• Develop operational risk and quality dashboards KRIs/KPIs and management information for senior leadership
• Identify emerging risks through data analysis and drive sustainable solutions that address root causes
• Provide a clear view of the health risks and control effectiveness of the function

Lead and enable

• Train team members on quality standards risk management and governance practices
• Give constructive feedback have difficult performance conversations and hold people accountable
• Challenge the status quo diplomatically and advocate for better approaches
• Build a culture of accountability control ownership and continuous improvement
• Work across operations compliance internal audit and QA teams

Run projects independently

• Juggle 5-7 concurrent initiatives manage stakeholders and deliver on time
• Navigate competing priorities in a fast-paced ambiguous environment
• Operate with minimal supervision: own problems from identification through to resolution

Qualifications :

Core experience:

• 5 years across quality risk and governance: youve built frameworks multiple times in different contexts and learned what works. You have hands-on experience with operational risk frameworks and governance structures ideally in financial crime or compliance.
• Regulated environment experience: preferably in financial services financial crime compliance or regulatory reporting where quality risk and governance really matter.
• Leadership experience: youve led people directly or indirectly. You give impactful feedback coach others take performance actions when needed and motivate people even without formal authority.
• Builder credentials: youve designed and implemented frameworks from scratch not just administered existing ones. Youve built comprehensive frameworks policies SOPs process maps and governance documents from the ground up - multiple times. You know how to structure information so its findable usable and maintainable. Youve created templates standards and requirements that teams actually follow.

Technical capabilities:

• Testing review and audit experience: youve designed and run quality tests conducted reviews been through internal and external audits and know what good control documentation looks like.
• Control and assurance expertise: proven experience with control testing risk-based QA methodologies and quality management frameworks.
• Data literacy: you pull your own data analyze metrics identify trends measure impact and use data to tell a story. You know what to measure and why.
• Advanced problem-solving: you dont just solve surface-level problems. You dig into complex operational issues analyse them from multiple angles identify root causes map dependencies and design systemic solutions. Youre comfortable with ambiguity and can structure unstructured problems.
• Project management excellence: you build realistic plans identify risks and dependencies and deliver multiple concurrent initiatives without dropping balls.

What youll get:

• Real impact: build something from the ground up and see it come to life. Your work will directly shape how the function operates.
• Autonomy: freedom to design solutions your way make decisions and own your domain.
• Variety: no two days will be the same. Youll be building teaching problem-solving and collaborating constantly.
• Learning: work with a global team in a fast-paced environment where youll be constantly challenged.
• Visibility: your work will be seen and valued across Compliance Operations and beyond.
• Leadership opportunity: lead through expertise and influence not just hierarchy. Build and grow your team.

Working style:

• Extreme independence: youve been trusted to own a domain make decisions and deliver without constant oversight. You know when to ask for input and when to just get it done.
• Detail orientation: you catch what others miss. You review with a critical eye spot inconsistencies and ensure compliance operations details matter enormously.
• Strong communication: fluent English (written and spoken) is non-negotiable. You create clear documentation present to stakeholders influence without authority and manage expectations across a matrix organization.
• Operational credibility: you understand the reality of frontline work process constraints capacity issues and the human factors that make or break implementation.
• Constructive challenger: youre not afraid to ask why do we do it this way You push back diplomatically and advocate for better approaches.

Nice to have:

• Certifications: ICA CAMS Six Sigma risk management or governance frameworks
• Process improvement methodologies: Lean Six Sigma Design Thinking
• BI tools: Looker Superset Redash or similar
• Bachelors degree in Finance Business Administration Audit Law or related field

Additional Information :

Our hiring process

1. Application Review: We evaluate your experience and skills.
2. Quick Chat with a Recruiter: A brief call to discuss the role and see if Wise aligns with your career goals.
3. First Interview: Meet our team for a discussion around your leadership and operational delivery experience.
4. Final Interview: An in-depth discussion with our team to assess your technical and cultural fit.

About this role

• Salary range: 4350 - 5850 EUR gross
• Relocation/visa sponsorship support: To be provided to the successful candidate
• Restricted stock units (RSU)
• Paid sabbatical
• Other Benefits

For everyone everywhere. Were people building money without borders  without judgement or prejudice too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse equitable and inclusive.

Were proud to have a truly international team and we celebrate our differences.
Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

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Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time