Global Head of Risk & Risk Strategy (Fintech)

Airwallex; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Airwallex, a global fintech, is seeking a Head of Risk to lead its second line risk management across worldwide operations in the UK and beyond. You will build robust risk frameworks, governance, and monitoring, partnering with Product, Engineering, Compliance, and Commercial teams to enable growth while controlling risk.

This senior role reports to the Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer and requires international leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Law, or related field.
• 15+ years of risk management, compliance, control, or audit experience in fintech or financial services.
• Experience building governance models and risk frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.
• Ability to define risk appetite, metrics, escalation, and governance processes.
• Strong communication skills and executive-level influence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale Airwallex’s global second line risk management function.
• Build frameworks, governance, monitoring and risk culture across the organization.
• Collaborate with Risk Product, Operations, Engineering, Commercial, and Compliance teams.
• Communicate risk appetite clearly across the company.
• Partner with leaders to minimize financial crime and other enterprise risks.
• Embed the Risk Management Framework across global entities.
• Advise executive leadership on regulatory requirements and risk strategy.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing global risk team.

Skills

Risk management

Compliance

Governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Regulatory liaison

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Law, or a related field

Job description

Airwallex, a global fintech, is seeking a Head of Risk to lead its second line risk management across worldwide operations in the UK and beyond. You will build robust risk frameworks, governance, and monitoring, partnering with Product, Engineering, Compliance, and Commercial teams to enable growth while controlling risk.

This senior role reports to the Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer and requires international leadership experience.