Head of Compliance

Overview

Our client is a fast-growing European payments-focused Fintech building regulated products at pace. Theyre looking for a Head of Compliance who is more than a gatekeeper someone who can own the compliance and AML/CTF framework lead regulator engagement and enable commercial growth while maintaining a strong risk-based approach.

In this role you will take full ownership of the regulatory roadmap including MFSA and FIAU engagement and help shape the firms compliance strategy as it scales across Europe under evolving requirements (PSD2/PSD3 EU AML Directives sanctions and financial crime controls).

Role Purpose

To establish implement and maintain a risk-based compliance and AML/TF framework across the institutions activities ensuring the business meets regulatory expectations while supporting sustainable growth and product delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance Leadership & Regulatory Engagement

• Own and oversee the firms compliance framework in line with MFSA regulations and industry best practice including regulatory and controls mapping where applicable.
• Lead and manage relationships with regulators and key stakeholders ensuring ongoing alignment with regulatory requirements.
• Drive applicable periodic regulatory reporting to the MFSA and support interactions with the FIAU where required.
• Act as an internal subject matter expert providing pragmatic guidance to the business to ensure activities comply with applicable laws regulations and standards.

AML/CTF Sanctions Fraud & Financial Crime Controls

• Ensure Compliance Sanctions and Fraud policies procedures and controls are effective current and embedded with staff trained to identify and escalate suspicious activity.
• Ensure systems and controls prevent and detect financial crime including fraud and bribery.
• Support development of robust methodologies to understand clients participants and partners enabling strong CDD/EDD and due diligence reporting.

Risk Assessment Monitoring & Governance

• Conduct and maintain a comprehensive Business Risk Assessment (BRA) across the institutions activities.
• Prepare and execute the Compliance Monitoring Plan including escalation of findings and oversight of remedial actions and timelines.
• Support governance forums by providing structured risk insight and recommendations including:
• Attendance in relevant meetings and providing information required to decide whether to onboard or retain clients
• Periodic reporting of customer risk and key compliance themes to the Executive Team and Board

Training & Culture

• Develop and deliver effective compliance training programmes to ensure staff remain current with regulatory and industry developments.

Requirements

• 710 years of experience in compliance or legal roles within financial services ideally within E-Money Institutions (EMI) or Payment Service Providers (PSP).
• Strong working knowledge of MFSA regulations FIAU implementing procedures PSD2/PSD3 and the EU AML Directives.
• University degree in Law Finance or a related field. Professional certifications such as ACAMS or ICA are highly desirable.
• Proven track record of leading compliance functions and managing relationships with national regulators.
• Comfortable working with modern Fintech tooling and automated AML/KYC screening and monitoring systems.
• Commercially minded able to balance regulatory requirements with the goals of a scaling business.
• Exceptional English communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to present complex regulatory requirements clearly to senior stakeholders.

Why This Role

• Full ownership and influence: compliance strategy monitoring risk assessment and regulator engagement.
• High-impact seat at the table with senior leadership and board-level visibility.
• Fast-paced tech-driven environment where compliance is treated as a business enabler.