Head of Compliance (High-Risk Trading Clients)

About the role

This is a segment‑specific Compliance and Financial Crime Control role focused on high‑risk Forex/CFD broker and trading‑platform clients. You will own the end‑to‑end compliance, onboarding, monitoring and risk‑classification processes to ensure they are defensible, proportionate and regulator‑ready across all entities.

Key responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end compliance and financial crime risk management for the Forex/CFD broker and trading‑platform client book.
• Design and maintain segment‑specific onboarding, enhanced due diligence and risk‑rating methodologies reflecting leveraged trading models.
• Develop and tune transaction‑monitoring scenarios tailored to broker and FX flow patterns.
• Act as the technical liaison with regulators (e.g., FCA, CSSF, DFSA) on matters concerning this client segment.
• Partner with Group Compliance to align segment practices with group‑wide AML/KYC policies and board reporting.
• Provide pragmatic, risk‑based guidance to commercial and onboarding teams, balancing growth with regulatory defensibility.
• Escalate emerging risks such as licensing mismatches, sanctions exposure, or structural red flags to the Group CRCO and Board.
• Serve as the escalation point for AML concerns, advising first‑line teams and MLROs on client activity and risks.

Required profile

• Hands‑on experience as an MLRO or Head of FCC at a Forex/CFD broker, trading platform, or within an EMI/PSP financial‑crime function responsible for this segment.
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT frameworks and their application to leveraged trading and FX flow structures.
• Proven ability to navigate multi‑regulator environments (e.g., FCA, DFSA, CySEC, ASIC, SCA, CSSF).
• Comfort with licensing and regulatory scope analysis to identify mismatches between client permissions and business models.
• Excellent stakeholder‑management skills, able to work quickly with commercial teams while maintaining a firm risk line.
• Relevant certifications such as ICA, CAMS, or equivalent are preferred.

Required skills

• Risk‑rating methodologies
• Transaction monitoring
• AML/CFT frameworks