Head of Compliance and Legal Affairs

Skills

About the Role

You will lead legal, regulatory, compliance and financial crime matters across a global crypto trading business. You will serve as MLRO for the UK entity, oversee compliance frameworks and coordinate matters across multiple jurisdictions. You will manage disputes and external counsel, negotiate commercial agreements, advise senior leadership, maintain financial crime controls, handle regulatory engagements and turn regulatory developments into practical actions.

Requirements

• Have significant experience in compliance, AML, financial crime, legal or regulatory roles within financial services, cryptoassets or another regulated environment
• Possess strong knowledge of the UK regulatory framework applicable to cryptoasset and financial services businesses
• Understand AML, sanctions and wider financial crime requirements
• Understand cryptoassets, blockchain technology and associated regulatory risks
• Have experience overseeing CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring and financial crime investigations
• Interpret complex regulation and translate it into practical risk-based policies and controls
• Have experience working with senior management and challenging or escalating matters when necessary
• Demonstrate strong communication, judgement and stakeholder-management skills
• Previous experience as an MLRO, Deputy MLRO, Head of Compliance or senior financial crime professional is preferred
• A legal qualification, law degree or significant in-house legal experience is preferred
• An ICA, ACAMS or other relevant compliance or AML qualification is preferred
• Experience reviewing and negotiating commercial, trading or financial services agreements is preferred
• Experience dealing directly with regulators and supervisory authorities is preferred
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions is preferred
• Familiarity with blockchain analytics, wallet screening and transaction-monitoring tools is preferred
• Understanding of institutional crypto markets, market making and OTC trading is preferred
• Exercise sound independent and pragmatic judgement
• Work across strategic and day-to-day matters
• Maintain regulatory independence while applying commercial awareness
• Operate effectively in a fast-moving trading environment
• Work confidently with senior management, the Board, regulators and external advisers
• Turn complex legal and regulatory issues into practical solutions

Responsibilities

• Lead legal, compliance and financial crime matters across the group
• Act as MLRO for the UK entity
• Oversee AML, CTF, sanctions and wider financial crime frameworks
• Take ownership of litigation, disputes and potential claims
• Define dispute strategy and coordinate external lawyers across relevant jurisdictions
• Select, instruct and manage external legal counsel
• Review, draft and negotiate client, trading, vendor, confidentiality and intercompany agreements
• Identify and manage legal and regulatory risks arising from new products, counterparties, jurisdictions and business initiatives
• Advise senior management and the Board on material legal, regulatory and compliance matters
• Develop compliance policies, risk assessments, monitoring and controls
• Oversee client onboarding, CDD, EDD, screening and transaction monitoring
• Coordinate legal, regulatory and compliance matters across UK, BVI, Swiss and European entities
• Manage regulatory filings, supervisory engagements and audits
• Manage relationships with regulators and other relevant authorities
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting cryptoasset and financial services businesses
• Translate legal and regulatory developments into practical business actions