A global financial services and fintech group delivering integrated banking, payments, investment, trading and treasury solutions is searching for a Head of Compliance & Regulatory Strategy to join their team in Malta, Cyprus or Mauritius. The Group is expanding into new products, digital assets, and markets, regulatory strategy, consistency, and execution at scale are central to our growth model. They are looking for someone to lead the global compliance function and manage, embed, and continuously enhance the Group’s regulatory operating model.

Key Responsibilities

Define, evolve and execute the Group’s compliance and regulatory strategy in line with business growth and product expansion
Ensure effective operation, governance, and ongoing improvement of the group compliance operating model
Lead and coordinate the global compliance function, including functional management of local compliance heads
Build a compliance culture of integrity, accountability, collaboration, and commercial awareness
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management, across the compliance function
Act as a senior advisor to executive management and boards on regulatory risk and strategy
Represent the Group in engagements with regulators, counterparties, partners, and other external stakeholders where required
Own and maintain group-wide compliance frameworks, policies, processes, procedures, and standards within which local entities operate
Oversee compliance programmes covering - AML / CFT, Sanctions, Customer due diligence, Market conduct, Regulatory reporting
Monitor regulatory and legal developments globally and translate them in actionable guidance for the Group
Provide structured, forward-looking compliance reporting to senior management and, if required, entity boards
Act as a senior functional partner to the Group’s RegTech and Technology teams, contributing regulatory expertise to the design, development, and implementation of compliance technology
Lead regulatory input into the design and implementation of new compliance capabilities, including transaction monitoring and trade surveillance, as the Group expands into new products and markets
Ensure effective, consistent, and regulator-ready use of existing sanctions screening and client onboarding / KYC tools across the Group, contributing to their ongoing enhancement in line with regulatory and market developments
Partner with technology, product, and operations teams to embed compliance into platforms and workflows
Lead regulatory readiness for new regimes and products, including: MiCA, VASP / VARA frameworks, Digital assets and tokenised products, New market entry and licensing
Ensure the Group remains proactive rather than reactive to regulatory change
Act as a strategic partner to Business Development, Product, and Commercial teams
Advise on regulatory feasibility and structuring of new products and services before launch

Qualifications and Experience

Degree in Finance, Law, Business Administration or a related discipline
Professional certifications (ICA, ACAMS or equivalent): strong familiarity with FATF standards required.
Senior level experience in international financial services compliance within a multi-entity, multi-jurisdictional group
Strong knowledge of: o AML / CFT frameworks, Sanctions regimes (EU, US, UN, UK), Financial services regulations, Risk-based compliance approaches
Experience with digital assets, trading, payments, or Fintech environments is highly desirable
Demonstrated ability to work closely with technology and product teams
Proven track record of building, leading, and managing distributed teams across jurisdictions
Commercially pragmatic mindset with the confidence to exercise judgement in complex situations

Benefits

A senior leadership role within a fast growing, international financial services group.
Direct influence over group strategy, operating model and product expansion
Exposure to evolving regulatory regimes and innovative financial products
Competitive compensation, performance incentives and flexible working arrangements
A collaborative, execution-focused culture with strong senior sponsorship

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Head of Compliance