Head of Compliance

Skills

About the Role

In this role you will lead the full end-to-end process of obtaining a Payment Institution or Electronic Money Institution license from De Nederlandsche Bank, preparing all required documentation and managing the regulatory dialogue through to approval. You will build the compliance function from scratch, designing policies, procedures, controls and training programmes for an EU-regulated payment institution. You will monitor regulatory developments across the EU, conduct risk assessments and audits, and design a robust AML/CFT programme covering KYC, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening and suspicious transaction reporting. You will act as the primary compliance contact for DNB, AFM and FIU-Nederland, partner with legal, risk, product and operations teams to embed compliance into business processes, and prepare all regulatory reports and filings. You will also contribute to global licensing efforts, from Hong Kong MSO registration to US Money Transmitter Licenses.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Law, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Professional compliance certifications are a strong advantage (ICA Diploma in Compliance, CAMS, Certified Compliance Professional or equivalent EU-recognised qualifications)
• Minimum 7 years of compliance experience within the payments, e-money, or financial services industry in the EU
• Demonstrated hands-on experience leading a successful PI or EMI license application with DNB or another EU national competent authority
• Proven track record of building compliance programmes from scratch within a regulated payment or fintech environment
• Experience managing regulatory relationships with DNB, AFM or equivalent EU supervisory bodies
• Deep expertise in PSD2 and awareness of PSD3 developments, AMLD, and EBA Guidelines on outsourcing, internal governance, and ICT risk
• Strong working knowledge of Wwft, GDPR and applicable DNB/AFM supervisory frameworks
• Familiarity with EU sanctions regimes, AML/CFT typologies in the payment sector and relevant EBA opinions
• Fluency in English; Dutch is a strong advantage
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce regulator-ready documentation
• Strong project management skills with the ability to drive a complex licensing process to completion under pressure
• High degree of integrity and professional discretion
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders at all levels

Responsibilities

• Lead the complete PI/EMI license application process with DNB from initiation to approval
• Prepare, compile, and submit all required application documentation including compliance programme, AML/CFT policies, governance structure, internal control frameworks, risk assessments, and business plan compliance sections
• Coordinate with legal, finance, operations, and external advisors to ensure all regulatory requirements are met ahead of submission
• Manage ongoing DNB and AFM correspondence, information requests, and supervisory interactions
• Build the compliance function from the ground up, designing and implementing policies, procedures, controls, and training programmes
• Develop and maintain a strategic compliance framework aligned with EU regulations and DNB/AFM supervisory expectations
• Define compliance objectives, KPIs, and governance structures
• Monitor regulatory developments across the EU and the Netherlands including PSD2/PSD3, AMLD, MiCA, EBA guidelines, and DNB/AFM communications
• Conduct regular compliance risk assessments, internal audits, and gap analyses and oversee remediation
• Lead compliance investigations, incident management, and escalation processes
• Design and implement a robust AML/CFT programme in line with Wwft, EU AML Directives, and EBA guidelines
• Oversee KYC/CDD/EDD processes, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and suspicious transaction reporting to FIU-Nederland
• Act as the primary compliance contact for DNB, AFM, FIU-Nederland, and other relevant authorities
• Partner with legal, risk, technology, product, and operations teams to embed compliance into business processes and new product development
• Represent the company in industry forums and relevant EU regulatory working groups
• Prepare and submit all regulatory reports, filings, and periodic disclosures required under DNB/AFM supervision
• Maintain accurate compliance records and ensure transparency in all reporting obligations
• Support the establishment of the initial operational infrastructure of Xsolla Payment Network EU B.V.

Benefits

• Flexible/hybrid working arrangement