At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build a global compliance framework in a fast-paced tech environment.
- Company: Join Shufti, a leader in AI-powered identity verification and compliance solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of compliance in fintech while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in compliance, with expertise in fintech and regulatory frameworks.
- Other info: Dynamic role with leadership opportunities in a rapidly growing company.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
About Shufti: Shufti is a global leader in AI-powered identity verification (IDV) and anti-money laundering (AML) solutions, offering advanced KYC (Know Your Customer), KYB (Know Your Business) and KYI (Know Your Investor) services that enable businesses to onboard customers securely and meet regulatory requirements. Founded in 2017 and trusted by industry leaders in FinTech, Crypto, Banking, E-commerce, and iGaming, our technology delivers real-time verification in over 240 countries and territories—empowering a safer, fraud-free digital world.
Position Purpose: The Head of Compliance & Legal Operations is a critical leadership role responsible for building, owning, and defending Shufti Pro's global compliance framework. This role is the company’s central control function for regulatory risk, requiring deep integration with our product and commercial strategy. You will also coordinate essential legal and contract administration workflows. We are seeking a builder and an owner, not just a manager, who can operate with high autonomy in our lean, fast-paced environment.
The Non-Negotiables (What You Must Have Done Before):
- Built or fundamentally reshaped a global compliance program in a fintech, RegTech, crypto-adjacent, or technology company serving regulated financial institutions.
- Hands-on experience analyzing and applying regulatory requirements across multiple key jurisdictions (specifically US, UK, EU, and/or Middle East), with a working knowledge of frameworks like US BSA/AML, UK MLRs/FCA handbooks, EU AMLD, GDPR, and an understanding of DORA, MiCA, and crypto-asset regulations.
- Acted as a true control function, with proven experience shaping commercial deals, product features, and market entry decisions from the outset based on regulatory constraints—not just performing post-facto risk assessments.
- Operated successfully in a resource-lean environment where you have personally handled legal-adjacent or operational tasks beyond a narrow compliance remit.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Compliance Ownership & Build: Design, implement, and own the end-to-end global compliance framework from the ground up, ensuring it is fully integrated into our product architecture and GTM strategy. Conduct granular regulatory perimeter analysis for new and existing markets, translating complex regulations into actionable, commercially-aware requirements for product, sales, and engineering teams. Serve as the definitive internal authority on regulatory risk tolerance. Articulate clear, binary boundaries and provide decisive guidance to leadership, with the authority to shape business decisions.
- Commercial & Product Partnership: Embed compliance into the product lifecycle and sales process. Review and approve new product features, customer proposals, and commercial structures before commitments are made. Act as a strategic partner to Sales, enabling deal closure by designing compliant solutions and articulating our control environment to enterprise customers and partners. Draft and negotiate compliance-related clauses in customer and partner contracts, in close collaboration with the General Counsel.
- Operational Execution & Control: Establish and run all core compliance operations (policies, training, monitoring, incident management) with a focus on practicality and audit-ready documentation. Own the compliance risk register and lead regulatory engagements, including audits, inquiries, and licensing processes. Coordinate legal operations: manage contract lifecycle from intake to execution, maintain legal playbooks, and track tasks to reduce executive load.
- Leadership & Mindset: Thrive in ambiguity and a flat structure. You will be the primary compliance resource and must be comfortable executing hands-on work while setting strategic direction. Foster a culture of regulatory excellence that balances robust risk management with the pace of a high-growth technology company.
Required Experience & Skills:
- 8+ years of compliance experience, with the majority gained in technology-driven financial services (fintech, payments, crypto, RegTech).
- Experience at an identity verification provider is a significant plus.
- Proven track record of building or substantially rebuilding a compliance program, not just maintaining an established one.
- Expert-level knowledge of AML/CFT, Sanctions, and KYC regulations across major jurisdictions.
- Strong working knowledge of GDPR/data protection as it applies to processing operations.
- Demonstrated experience acting as a commercial partner and control function. You can point to instances where you directly said "no" or "only this way" to a commercial deal or product launch based on regulatory risk.
- Experience with contract management and legal operations workflows.
- Excellent English communication skills, with the ability to command authority with internal teams, customers, and regulators.
- Relevant certifications (CAMS, ICA, etc.) are preferred.
Location: London (Remote)
Department: Legal
Employment Type: Full-Time
Minimum Experience: Senior Manager/Supervisor
Global Head of Compliance in London employer: Shufti Pro
Contact Detail:
Shufti Pro Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Head of Compliance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their compliance framework and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to shine and show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. We can’t stress enough how important it is to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently when discussing your compliance expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team at Shufti.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Compliance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in compliance, especially in fintech or tech-driven environments. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs at Shufti!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve built or reshaped compliance programmes. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key points stand out without unnecessary fluff. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shufti Pro
✨Know Your Regulations Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the key regulations relevant to the role, like AML, KYC, and GDPR. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in a fintech or RegTech environment. This shows you're not just familiar with the rules but can also navigate them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires someone who can build and own a compliance framework. Think about examples where you've designed compliance strategies from scratch or reshaped existing ones. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you integrated compliance into product and commercial strategies.
✨Demonstrate Your Hands-On Experience
The company is looking for someone who can operate in a resource-lean environment. Share specific instances where you've taken on legal-adjacent tasks beyond compliance. Highlight your ability to manage multiple responsibilities while maintaining a high standard of work.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
As a compliance leader, you'll need to articulate complex regulatory requirements to various teams. Practice explaining intricate concepts in simple terms. During the interview, aim to convey your authority and confidence in your knowledge, as this will reassure them of your capability to lead.