Head of Risk, Compliance & Licensing (fintech)

Job Summary

As the business scales strong risk management and regulatory discipline are critical to sustainable growth market expansion and trust with partners and regulators.

The Head of Risk Compliance & Licensing will lead all risk and regulatory functions across multiple markets. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring deep fintech or payments experience with the ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional environments and embed compliance into a fast-scaling organization.

• 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
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• Support onboarding of banks PSPs and partners
  
• Conduct due diligence on partners and counterparties
  
• Ensure compliance readiness for market expansion
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• Full visibility and control over risk exposure across markets
  
• Audit-ready compliance frameworks and documentation
  
• Strong AML/KYC systems with minimal fraud incidents
  
• Effective regulatory relationships and smooth market expansion
  
• Compliance seamlessly embedded into business operations
  

This is an opportunity to join a fast-growing fintech shaping cross-border commerce across emerging markets. The role offers high ownership regional impact and the chance to build and scale risk and compliance frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.

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