At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global team in defining procedures and delivering operational excellence in risk operations.
- Company: Join Airwallex, a leading fintech empowering businesses worldwide with innovative payment solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to operational excellence and customer experience.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the future of global banking while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in regulated financial services and strong analytical judgement required.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ 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. Valued at US$11 billion and backed by world-leading investors, Airwallex is leading the charge in building the global payments and financial platform of the future.
Attributes We Value: We hire successful builders with founder-like energy who want real impact, accelerated learning, and true ownership. You bring strong role-related expertise and sharp thinking, and you’re motivated by our mission and operating principles. You move fast with good judgment, dig deep with curiosity, and make decisions from first principles, balancing speed and rigor. You're humble and collaborative; turn zero‑to‑one ideas into real products, and you “get stuff done” end-to-end. You use AI to work smarter and solve problems faster.
About the team: Risk Operations is a global 1LOD team responsible for the Acquiring, Issuing and Credit Risk domains. The team handles cases and investigations across product domains, working closely with 2LOD and Commercial teams to ensure that Airwallex operates within its risk appetite. The team is passionate about operational excellence and delivering an exceptional end-to-end customer experience.
What you’ll do: As the Senior Director/Head of Risk Operations, you will lead a global team responsible for defining procedures and delivering operational excellence across new client onboarding, periodic review and in-life behaviour. You will ensure that Airwallex champions high standards for integrity, judgement and documentation in all aspects of risk operations.
- Own the vision, strategy and execution for Risk Operations
- Build, lead and develop a high-performing globally distributed team
- Own the location and resourcing strategy of the team, solving for 24/7 coverage, quality of customer experience and cost efficiency
- Create a repeatable & scalable operating rhythm, including clear OKRs
- Take a data-driven approach to performance management
- Strike the right balance between risk, customer experience and commercial impact, ensuring timely, high-quality decision making and communications
- Drive continuous improvement in the quality of procedures, playbooks and control frameworks, aligned to Airwallex financial crime and fraud policies defined by 2LOD and partnering closely with Risk Product and Engineering
- Ensure that Airwallex continues to improve the quality and consistency of documentation
- Lead AI transformation of the Risk Operations team
This role will be based in either London or Singapore.
Who are you: We're looking for people who meet the minimum requirements for this role. The preferred qualifications are great to have, but are not mandatory.
Minimum qualifications:
- Proven experience, including senior leadership in large-scale, multi-jurisdiction operations in a rapidly growing regulated financial-services or payments/fintech business
- Proven track record of scaling Risk Operations (at least 2 of Payments, Issuing and Credit) across multiple geographies, and of building globally consistent performance
- Background in Fraud Ops and ATO risk control
- Strong commercial and analytical judgement — comfortable framing decisions in unit economics, scalability and return on investment
- Track record of operating at the Operations–Product–Risk intersection and driving cross-functional outcomes without full reporting-line authority
- Demonstrated delivery of automation/AI-led transformation in an operations setting
- Evidence of big data/analytics (including SQL, DBX and BI tooling)
Preferred experience:
- Cross-border payments; multi-entity, multi-licence environments
- Experience across Payments, Issuing and Credit Risk
- Comfort with a highly technical, API-first product
- Exposure to IPO readiness / public-company control environments
- Top-tier consulting or operator-investor background (structured thinking under ambiguity)
Applicant Safety Policy: To protect you from recruitment scams, please be aware that Airwallex will not ask for bank details, sensitive ID numbers, or any form of payment during the application or interview process. All official communication will come from an @airwallex.com email address. Please apply only through careers.airwallex.com or our official LinkedIn page.
Equal opportunity: Airwallex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent.
Head of Risk 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 Risk Operations in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Airwallex. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Risk Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Airwallex.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Airwallex's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airwallex
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Airwallex.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Airwallex will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Airwallex employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
