MD, Head of Risk and Compliance Singapore, Private Bank

Empower Partners Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading private bank in Singapore is seeking a Head of Risk and Compliance to provide independent oversight and drive risk culture. This key leadership role requires over 20 years of experience in risk and compliance, particularly in private banking or wealth management. The successful candidate will partner closely with the CEO, advise on complex risks, and lead a high-quality team while ensuring regulatory alignment and governance.

Qualifications

• 20+ years’ experience in risk and/or compliance within private banking or wealth management.
• Strong, hands-on expertise in financial crime, AML, and CFT.
• Deep knowledge of the Singapore regulatory environment.
• Proven ability to partner, influence, and challenge senior leaders.
• Commercially pragmatic with strong governance judgement.

Responsibilities

• Lead risk, compliance, and financial crime / AML for the private bank in Singapore.
• Provide strong governance, oversight, and challenge to senior business leaders.
• Act as a trusted advisor on risk, compliance, and regulatory matters.
• Own the AML, CFT, and financial crime framework.
• Drive a strong risk, conduct, and financial crime culture across the bank.

Skills

Risk management

Compliance

Financial crime

AML

CFT

Leadership

Education

Relevant professional or AML qualifications

Job description

About Our Client

Our client is a boutique private bank in Singapore, recognised for its strong governance, disciplined risk culture, and long-term approach to private banking. With a close‑knit leadership team, the bank places risk, compliance, and financial crime at the core of how it operates and grows.

The bank is appointing a Head of Risk and Compliance, based in Singapore, to provide independent oversight, drive risk and financial crime culture, and contribute directly to the strategy of the private bank.

This is a key senior leadership role, partnering closely with the CEO and senior business leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead risk, compliance, and financial crime / AML for the private bank in Singapore.
• Provide strong governance, oversight, and challenge to senior business leaders.
• Act as a trusted advisor on risk, compliance, and regulatory matters.
• Own the AML, CFT, and financial crime framework, ensuring effectiveness and regulatory alignment.
• Stay abreast of evolving financial crime and AML regulations, developing strategies and controls in response.
• Drive a strong risk, conduct, and financial crime culture across the bank.
• Oversee regulatory engagement with MAS, including AML‑related matters.
• Advise on complex client, product, and transactional risks.
• Contribute actively to the bank’s strategy and long‑term direction.
• Lead and develop a high‑quality risk and compliance team.

Requirements

• 20+ years’ experience in risk and/or compliance within private banking or wealth management.
• Strong, hands‑on expertise in financial crime, AML, and CFT.
• Deep knowledge of the Singapore regulatory environment.
• Proven ability to partner, influence, and challenge senior leaders.
• Commercially pragmatic with strong governance judgement.
• Relevant professional or AML qualifications preferred.

Application Process

Please submit your resume to Emily Tan at [e-mail].

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

EA Licence No.: 24S2395

Registration No.: R1106860