At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global team in financial crime compliance and shape operational strategies.
- Company: Join Airwallex, a leading fintech revolutionising global payments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the future of global banking and compliance.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in compliance with strong leadership and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
About Airwallex
Airwallex is the only unified payments and financial platform for global businesses. Powered by our unique combination of proprietary infrastructure and software, we empower over 250,000 businesses worldwide with fully integrated solutions to manage everything from business accounts, payments, spend management and treasury, to embedded finance at a global scale. Proudly founded in Melbourne, we have a team of over 2,300 of the brightest and most innovative people in tech across 27 offices around the globe.
Attributes We Value
We hire successful builders with founder-like energy who want real impact, accelerated learning, and true ownership. Here, you’ll tackle complex, high‑visibility problems with exceptional teammates and grow your career as we build the future of global banking.
About the Team
The Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) team at Airwallex is a strategically vital function operating under a clear Three Lines of Defence model. As the independent second line, FCC owns the global AML/CTF programme, sanctions framework, risk assessment methodology, and governance infrastructure across all global entities. As Airwallex scales into new markets and deepens its engagement with global regulatory bodies, we are building a world-class compliance organization capable of managing complex financial crime risks at scale. This is an environment where you will tackle high-impact challenges, shape global fintech risk strategies, and help establish foundations for long-term growth.
What you'll do
- Lead and scale a global second-line team of embedded compliance subject matter experts across four core disciplines: Transaction Monitoring, KYC/KYB, Sanctions, and Suspicious Activity Reporting (SMR/STR/SAR).
- Serve as the final second-line decision-maker for complex Level 3 compliance escalations, providing independent adjudication on high-risk customer offboarding, account restrictions, and material transaction holds.
- Operationalize global FCC policies, frameworks, and methodologies into clear, localized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), in consultation with Global Policy and Local MLROs, to ensure consistent compliance execution across all geographies within the Airwallex footprint.
- Oversee the training, calibration, and compliance standards for frontline (L1/L2) operations teams, ensuring the consistent application of policies and driving effective remediation of execution gaps.
- Partner closely with FCC Strategy, Investigations & FIU, Risk Product, and Engineering to continuously improve compliance workflows, case management tooling, and automated triage systems, ensuring operational processes adapt to business growth.
- Represent FCC operations in regulatory examinations, internal or external audits, and banking partner reviews, clearly presenting case decision rationales, operational procedures, and performance metrics.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Law, Business Administration, or another relevant analytical discipline.
- CAMS or an equivalent globally recognized financial crime compliance certification.
- 12 to 15+ years of experience in financial crime compliance, risk management, or compliance operations within financial services, fintech, payments, or banking.
- At least 5+ years leading a global or multi-jurisdictional compliance advisory, escalation, or operational oversight function at a senior level.
- Deep domain expertise across core compliance pillars, specifically transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, customer due diligence, and suspicious activity reporting workflows.
- Proven experience translating compliance policies into practical operational procedures, training programs, and quality calibration frameworks.
Preferred qualifications
- Advanced degree such as an MBA, Master’s in Regulatory Compliance, or JD.
- Professional certification such as CAMS-Audit, CGSS, or equivalent risk designations.
- Deep fintech and payments experience, including exposure to cross-border payments, virtual accounts, and multi-currency wallets within a high-velocity environment.
- Strong data literacy and comfort using operational metrics, BI dashboards, and automated tools to track quality, detect control drift, and manage capacity.
- Experience partnering directly with Product and Engineering teams to optimize compliance workflows, case management tooling, and rule deployments in production environments.
Applicant Safety Policy: Fraud and Third-Party Recruiters
To protect you from recruitment scams, please be aware that Airwallex will not ask for bank details, sensitive ID numbers (i.e. passport), or any form of payment during the application or interview process. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We don’t regard color, religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status when making our hiring decisions. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
UK - London
Employment Type: Full time
Department: Regulatory & Compliance
Financial Crime Compliance
Head of KYC and AML Operations in London employer: Airwallex
Airwallex is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, empowering employees to tackle complex challenges in the dynamic fintech landscape. With a strong focus on professional growth, employees benefit from opportunities to lead impactful projects while working alongside diverse teams across the globe. The company's commitment to a risk-aware culture and its emphasis on employee well-being make it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the US and EMEA.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of KYC and AML Operations in London
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Airwallex looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of KYC and AML Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Airwallex. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airwallex
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Airwallex’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
