Head of Client Due Dilligence (Relocation to Cyprus) in London

We are looking for an experienced and decisive leader to take ownership of our Customer Due Diligence (CDD) function and drive it to the next level. As Head of CDD, you will oversee a growing team of professionals and lead the department with full responsibility for onboarding quality, regulatory alignment, and operational efficiency. This is a key leadership role where you will shape how we onboard merchants globally, ensuring each process is seamless, compliant, and scalable.

The CDD function is already formed and operational. Your mission is to strengthen its foundations, expand its capabilities, and ensure our onboarding experience is fast, smooth, and risk‑aware—supporting the business as it scales across new regions and product lines. You’ll act as a senior point of contact across the business for all CDD matters, bringing a sharp eye for detail, a practical mindset, and the leadership needed to guide both people and processes in the right direction.

Location: Limassol, Cyprus. This is an onsite role. Candidates must be based in Cyprus or willing to relocate before their start date.

Reporting to: Chief Regulatory Officer

What You’ll Do:

• Team Leadership & Oversight: Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing CDD team (10+), ensuring clear role responsibilities and team motivation. Be the first escalation point for day‑to‑day onboarding challenges, guiding your team through complex cases and pushing back when needed. Monitor onboarding queues, turnaround times, and ensure SLAs are met without compromising quality. Conduct regular case reviews, risk discussions, and ensure internal escalation frameworks are followed.
• Process Management & Issue Resolution: Drive the end‑to‑end ownership of the CDD process for our global merchant base. Identify inefficiencies, process gaps, or delays in the onboarding process and implement solutions to remove blockers. Take ownership of special cases involving complex corporate structures, high‑risk clients, or urgent sales deadlines. Serve as a go‑to person for operational questions across the business; give clear, direct answers when needed and hold the line on compliance.
• Cross‑functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with Sales, Customer Success, Product, Legal, AML, and Finance to streamline onboarding and support business growth. Align with regional AMLCOs/MLROs to escalate high‑risk cases, draft internal memos, and ensure regulatory requirements are met. Represent the CDD team in cross‑functional meetings and strategic initiatives related to onboarding, KYC, and regulatory readiness.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all CDD files meet internal and external regulatory requirements and documentation standards. Support internal audits, regulatory inspections, and partner due diligence requests. Maintain accurate records, implement updates to CDD procedures, and uphold the highest standard of data confidentiality.

About You: You’re an operational leader who enjoys solving problems, working in fast‑moving environments, and guiding a team to success. You are not afraid to take ownership, give direct feedback, and manage stakeholder expectations—even when that means saying “no.”

What We’re Looking For: 7+ years of experience in AML, CDD, or risk‑related roles within the payments industry is essential; prior experience in merchant acquiring or working with.