Head of Financial Crime & Compliance

Our client is a forward-thinking fintech company dedicated to transforming cross-border money transfers. They empower migrant workers in South Africa to send funds home, bridging financial gaps with affordable, transparent solutions. Founded in 2015, our client’s impact has grown to span multiple continents, backed by a dynamic team of innovators who share a vision of making finance fairer.

With a HQ in vibrant Cape Town, this organization has cultivated a culture rooted in integrity, well-being, and diversity. They believe in creating meaningful change, rejecting profit maximization in favor of putting people first.

Now, they are looking for a visionary leader to steer their Financial Crime & Compliance efforts, someone with proven expertise in AML, regulatory affairs, and fraud prevention who can ensure their continued compliance and protect their growing global customer base.

Your Impact as Head of Financial Crime & Compliance:

In this pivotal role, you will protect both the company and its customers from financial crime while maintaining regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you’ll provide the strategic direction needed to build and enhance compliance frameworks, ensuring the company navigates complex financial regulations without compromising on its customer-centric values.

Your leadership will shape the company’s approach to risk, enabling the business to expand into new territories while safeguarding the integrity of its services. From managing regulatory relationships to preventing fraud, your expertise will ensure a robust compliance environment that aligns with our client's mission and values.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Regulatory & Licensing Mastery:

• Lead all regulatory compliance efforts, ensuring the company adheres to both local and global financial regulations.
• Expand and maintain multiple licenses across various international markets, positioning the business for growth.
• Act as the main liaison with regulatory bodies, managing inspections and inquiries with confidence and clarity.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Excellence:

• Build and evolve the company's AML framework with a focus on automation and efficiency.
• Lead the AML team’s day-to-day activities, including investigations, regulatory reporting, and customer screening processes.
• Continuously adapt the AML strategy to align with regulatory changes and business priorities, ensuring best-in-class processes.

Fraud Prevention Innovation:

• Champion cutting-edge fraud prevention measures, protecting customers and the business from malicious activity.
• Drive the design and implementation of robust fraud prevention processes, collaborating with internal teams to identify and mitigate risks.
• Lead investigations into fraudulent activities and develop insightful intelligence reports for senior management.

Technical Leadership:

• Bring your technical expertise to the forefront, leveraging data analysis to guide decision-making on compliance and fraud prevention.
• Implement and enhance compliance systems that allow for scale, ensuring the business is future-proofed for growth.

What You’ll Bring to the Role:

• A degree in Law, Data Science, Criminology, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in banking, financial services, or crypto sectors, with a focus on compliance and financial crime.
• Demonstrated experience leading fraud prevention, customer screening, and compliance frameworks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to present complex compliance topics in a clear and concise manner.
• Previous experience in a remittance, payments, or crypto fintech environment is a major plus.
• Proficiency in English is mandatory, and relevant industry certifications (Security+, CISSP, OSCP) are highly advantageous
• Dive deep into the company’s business model, products, and transaction patterns, conducting an initial risk assessment and identifying key gaps.
• Forge relationships across the compliance, senior management, and broader teams, gaining a holistic understanding of the company’s operations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to propose and implement mitigation strategies that reinforce the company’s compliance infrastructure..

Why Join Our Client:

Working with our client isn’t just a job—it’s a mission. You’ll be part of a passionate team that cares deeply about the communities they serve, providing life-changing financial services to those who need it most. Your voice will matter here, and you’ll have the freedom to make meaningful contributions that shape the future of fintech.

Plus, you’ll join a diverse, inclusive environment where you can bring your full self to work. Whether you're having those tough but necessary conversations or celebrating team wins, you'll be surrounded by people who share your values and support your growth.

Ready to make a difference in the world of fintech? Apply today!