Group Head of Compliance & Regulatory Strategy

• Ensure local compliance teams operate effectively within group-defined frameworks
• Regulatory obligations are met consistently and pragmatically
• Compliance enables growth, product innovation, and a seamless client experience across jurisdictions
• The Group remains ahead of regulatory change, particularly in digital assets, trading, payments, and emerging regimes
• Provide assurance to senior management and boards that all group entities comply with applicable local and international laws, regulations, sanctions, and internal standards
• 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
• Ensure consistent interpretation and application across all entities, avoiding fragmentation or local deviation
• 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 across the Group
• 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
• Balance regulatory integrity with speed to market and commercial objectives
• Ensure regulatory considerations are addressed early, reducing late-stage rework and time-to-market risk
• Reduce unnecessary friction for low-risk clients while maintaining robust controls
• Ensure clients experience a consistent, high-quality onboarding and servicing journey, regardless of booking entity or jurisdiction

• 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:

• 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
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• 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

GRS Recruitment