Chief Compliance Officer - Alipay International UK

WorldFirst is looking to hire a Chief Compliance Officer based in the UK to maintain its UK licence as well as acting as a strategic business partner. The position will be part of a growing European & UK Compliance team supporting Ant International, in particular the provision of payments and financial services to corporate customers. We are looking to hire a detail-oriented, collaborative and agile regulatory compliance professional who is able to take the initiative to work closely with internal business, operations and various functional key-stakeholders in WorldFirst and Ant International, to support the achievement of business targets and objectives, and to comply with and fulfil regulatory obligations and expectations. A suitable candidate will be a seasoned and experienced Chief Compliance Officer for a financial institution in the UK with strong interpersonal, project management and stakeholder management skills, and one who thrives working in a fast-paced environment.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Design, develop and implement the UK compliance framework that aligns with long-term organisational goals and adhere to FCA regulations and guidelines;
• Lead regulatory engagement, maintain open and constructive relationships with the FCA and other regulatory bodies, as well as engagement with auditors and banking partners from a compliance perspective;
• Communicate compliance updates and regulatory changes to senior management and relevant stakeholders;
• Monitor and assess the organisation's compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies;
• Stay abreast of changes in regulatory requirements, industry standards and update compliance policies accordingly;
• Identify, assess, and mitigate compliance risks across the organization;
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate compliance considerations into business processes and decision-making.

Policy Development & Training

• Develop and enforce compliance policies and procedures to guide the organisation's operations.
• Design and deliver compliance training programs to educate employees on regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Foster a culture of compliance within the organisation by promoting ethical behavior and adherence to regulatory standards.

Commercial Awareness

• Strong understanding of the UK and international regulatory landscape, with the ability to anticipate changes and assess their impact on business strategies.
• Demonstrates capability to balance regulatory obligations with commercial objectives, ensuring compliance supports sustainable growth.
• Ability to communicate complex compliance issues in a clear, pragmatic way that resonates with commercial teams and senior leadership.
• Proven track record of acting as a trusted advisor to the Board and Executive Committee, influencing strategic decisions with sound compliance judgment.
• Demonstrates ability to embed compliance into the broader business agenda.

Experience and Qualifications/Capabilities

• Minimum 5 years as a Chief Compliance Officer in a financial institution and 8 years (+) in general regulatory compliance.
• Work experience in e-commerce, payments or card schemes industry is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and manage different stakeholders within the organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in fast-paced environment.
• Able to provide pragmatic and considered advice under tight deadlines.
• Possess a practical approach to problem-solving and be able to counsel internal clients with clear and concise advice.
• Goal driven, result oriented and focus on the deliverables.
• Strong ability to understand internal and corporate governance, processes and controls.
• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite i.e. Word, Excel and PowerPoint.