Global Head of Compliance

OSL; Leeds; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global compliance firm is seeking a Head of Global Compliance in Leeds to build and enhance their compliance program across jurisdictions. The ideal candidate will have extensive senior-level experience in the crypto or digital asset industry, capable of engaging with regulators. Responsibilities include overseeing compliance frameworks, managing teams, and ensuring governance. Proficiency in Mandarin is a plus. This role offers a senior leadership position with significant impact on the firm's growth and regulatory adherence.

Qualifications

• Experience building and scaling global compliance programs.
• Capable of engaging with regulators on compliance matters.
• Experience in payments, fintech, or financial services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain a global compliance framework.
• Act as primary contact for regulators globally.
• Lead a high performing global compliance team.

Skills

Extensive senior level compliance experience in crypto or digital asset industry

Knowledge of AML, CTF, sanctions

Strong leadership presence

Regulatory engagement experience

Job description

Role Overview

The Head of Global of Compliance is responsible for building, implementing, and continuously enhancing the firm’s global compliance program across all regulated and unregulated jurisdictions. This is a very senior, hands on leadership role with full ownership of compliance strategy, regulatory engagement, and day to day execution. The role requires deep crypto industry expertise and strong regulatory credibility.

This position will act as a key control function and strategic partner to senior management, ensuring the business operates in line with applicable laws, regulations, and regulatory expectations while supporting sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain a comprehensive global compliance framework covering AML, CTF, sanctions, KYC, transaction monitoring, market conduct, and regulatory reporting.
• Own the end to end compliance program lifecycle, including policies, procedures, controls, risk assessments, monitoring, testing, and issue remediation.
• Act as the primary point of contact for regulators and supervisory authorities globally, leading regulatory communications, examinations, inspections, and ongoing supervisory engagement.
• Provide regulatory advice to senior management and business teams on new products, markets, and licensing initiatives.
• Lead and manage compliance systems and infrastructure, with strong understanding of available compliance technologies and vendors, including selection, implementation, and ongoing oversight of third party providers.
• Ensure effective governance, documentation, and audit readiness across all compliance activities.
• Oversee licensing and regulatory applications, renewals, and variations, working closely with internal stakeholders and external advisors.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high performing global compliance team, setting clear accountability and performance standards.
• Monitor global regulatory developments in crypto and digital assets, assess impact, and proactively adapt the compliance program.
• Partner closely with Risk, Legal, Operations, Product, and Technology teams to embed compliance by design into business processes.

Key Requirements

• Extensive senior level compliance experience within the crypto or digital asset industry, which is a mandatory requirement.
• Proven experience building and scaling global compliance programs in complex, multi jurisdictional environments.
• Strong hands on capability with compliance frameworks, systems, and operational execution, not purely advisory.
• Demonstrated experience engaging directly with regulators on compliance matters, including examinations and supervisory reviews.
• Deep knowledge of AML, CTF, sanctions, and financial crime compliance requirements applicable to crypto businesses.
• Experience selecting and managing compliance vendors and technology solutions.
• Prior experience in payments, fintech, or traditional financial services is highly preferred.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and regulators.
• Chinese language proficiency (Mandarin) would be a strong plus.