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- 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 AML solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working conditions, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of compliance in a dynamic industry and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in compliance, preferably in fintech or technology-driven financial services.
- Other info: Thrive in a flat structure and foster a culture of regulatory excellence.
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.
Global Head of Compliance employer: Updata Partners
Contact Detail:
Updata Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Head of Compliance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fintech and compliance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers and showcase your expertise. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Shufti's mission and values. Understand their compliance framework and think of ways you can contribute to building it. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but a perfect match for their culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in shaping compliance programs and how you've navigated regulatory challenges. Use specific examples that highlight your hands-on approach and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Shufti. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Compliance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Global Head of Compliance role. Highlight your experience in building compliance frameworks and your knowledge of regulations relevant to fintech and technology companies. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; tell us about specific projects where you shaped compliance strategies or tackled regulatory challenges. Use concrete examples that demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to operate in a fast-paced environment, just like ours.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Make sure your key achievements stand out, as we’re looking for someone who can articulate complex ideas simply.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people quickly. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Shufti!
How to prepare for a job interview at Updata Partners
✨Know Your Regulations Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key regulations relevant to the role, such as AML, KYC, and GDPR. Prepare specific examples of how you've navigated these regulations in past roles, especially in fintech or RegTech environments.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you would design and implement a global compliance framework from scratch. Think about how you can integrate compliance into product development and sales processes, and be prepared to share your vision on this.
✨Demonstrate Your Hands-On Experience
Highlight instances where you’ve taken a hands-on approach to compliance tasks beyond just oversight. Discuss how you’ve managed legal operations or contract workflows, showing that you can operate effectively in a lean environment.
✨Communicate with Authority
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You’ll need to command respect from internal teams and external partners, so focus on how you can convey complex regulatory concepts in an understandable way during the interview.
