Head of Compliance & MLRO

Tokyo
Compliance – Regulatory Compliance /
Full-time /
Hybrid
Nium, Global Leader in Payments
 
Nium, the global leader in real-time, cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders.  
Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 35 markets. Nium's growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licenses and authorizations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance – independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore. 

About the Role

As a Head of Compliance/MLRO – Japan, you will be working as part of Nium’s global, dynamic Compliance team and will be reporting to the VP Compliance (APAC). The Compliance team is responsible for advising the business on all compliance matters and ensuring the regulatory requirements for Japan are met. In addition, this team is also responsible for client onboarding, transaction monitoring escalations, and for the detection and prevention of financial crime including, money laundering, and terrorist financing.

Key Responsibilities

    • Implement effective Compliance Program for new and existing regulations to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements, including conducting risk assessments, maintaining Key Regulatory Obligations Register, Compliance and AML/CFT policies, procedures, and controls.
    • Provide advisory on Regulatory Compliance and AML CFT related requirements for new Product and Business use cases.
    • Assist in to improve and streamline end to end compliance operational processes through automation and technology. Use technology and machine learning to build capabilities to scale.
    • Ensure all Client Due Diligence requests and activities, including review of clients’ profile, risk rating, name screening, verification of documentations during the clients' lifecycle are resolved within agreed timeframes, and any issues or bottlenecks that arise are escalated in a timely manner.
    • Perform periodic, trigger, and ad hoc AML reviews on clients' profile, and ensure that adverse news hits and increased risk factors have been appropriately identified and escalated in accordance to company’s procedures and regulatory requirements.
    • Perform transaction monitoring review on accounts/ transactions highlighted for review. Review, assess and resolve name screening alerts on a timely basis.
    • Prepare Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) for suspicious transactions.
    • Drive the regulatory engagement agenda and serve as the point of contact with the regulators, including license updates, coordination for any regulator’s on-site inspection, as and when required.
    • Ensure proper regulatory and AML/CFT reporting to the JFSA/KLFB where required.
    • Prepare reports to Senior Management and Compliance Committees.
    • Lead the roll out and ongoing management of the Compliance Training Framework

Requirements

    • At least 10 years’ experience within regulated companies, in compliance role(s) with robust knowledge on Compliance topics (KYB / KYC, AML/CFT, Sanctions etc.)
    • Good understanding of the Payments/Fintech industry
    • Knowledge and experience (preferably within Payments/Fintech)
    • ACAMS/ICA certified (preferably)
    • Strong analytical skills with experience in problem solving and being able to implement and deliver solutions
    • Demonstrate clear sense of accountability in performing the role and a positive demeanor.
    • Ability to identify inefficiencies, see the bigger picture, challenge the current status quo and define scalable and sustainable processes and methodology
    • Able to prioritize quickly and meet deadlines even under pressure
    • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
    • Team player with strong collaborative qualities, including some previous experience (or willingness) to build, lead and motivate a team.
    • Willingness to learn continuously and keep up to date with the Payments industry and its regulatory landscape (Globally).
    • Fluent English
What we offer at Nium
 
We Value Performance: Through competitive salaries, performance bonuses, sales commissions, equity for specific roles and recognition programs, we ensure that all our employees are well rewarded and incentivized for their hard work. 

We Care: The wellness of Nium’ers is our #1 priority. We offer medical coverage along with 24/7 employee assistance program, generous vacation programs including our year-end shut down. We also provide a flexible hybrid working environment (3 days per week in the office). 

We Upskill Ourselves: We are curious, and always want to learn more with a focus on upskilling ourselves. We provide role-specific training, internal workshops, and a learning stipend. 

We Constantly Innovate: Since our inception, Nium has received constant recognition and awards for how we approach both our business and talent opportunities. Check out CNBC World’s Top Fintech Companies 2024.  

We Celebrate Together: We recognize that work is also about creating great relationships with each other. We celebrate together with company-wide social events, team bonding activities, happy hours, team offsites, and much more!  

We Thrive With Diversity: Nium is truly a global company, with more than 33 nationalities, based in 18+ countries and more than 10 office locations. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.  
For more detailed region-specific benefits:  https://www.nium.com/careers#careers-perks  

For more information visit www.nium.com 
Depending on your location, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) may regulate the way we manage the data of job candidates. Please review our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information.  
Candidate Privacy Notice:https://www.nium.com/privacy/candidate-privacy-notice