Head of AML & CTF (PCF-52), Payward Europe Solutions Ltd

Payward Europe Solutions Ltd (PESL), Payward Inc.’s EU based crypto asset service provider offering brokerage, transfer and custody services for EEA clients, is hiring a Head of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Compliance. This person is the designated Pre-Approval Controlled Function (PCF-52) under the Central Bank of Ireland’s Fitness & Probity regime.

Responsibilities

Lead and maintain the firm’s AML/CFT compliance framework in line with applicable legal, regulatory, and internal policy requirements; Act as the senior accountable officer for AML/CFT compliance governance, oversight, and escalation; Develop, implement, and periodically review AML/CFT policies, standards, procedures, and controls; Oversee the firm’s enterprise-wide AML/CFT risk assessment and ensure that risks are identified, assessed, mitigated, and reported appropriately; Design, implement and oversee policies, procedures and controls for AMLR (Regulation (EU) 2024/1624) compliance; Partner with the business to bring to market products and services quickly; Implement operational efficiencies deploying an automate everything mindset; Ensure robust controls are in place for customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, ongoing monitoring, screening, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity escalation; Oversee the firm’s suspicious transaction/reporting processes, including internal escalation, external reporting, and maintenance of appropriate records; Provide oversight of sanctions compliance controls, including screening governance, escalation processes, and regulatory developments, where applicable; Advise senior management and the board on AML/CFT matters, emerging risks, regulatory expectations, and control enhancements; Prepare and deliver regular AML/CFT management information, reporting, and risk updates to relevant governance forums, senior management, and the board; Act as the principal point of contact for the Central Bank of Ireland and other relevant authorities on AML/CFT matters; Ensure regulatory findings, audit issues, compliance reviews, and internal control gaps are remediated in a timely and effective manner; Oversee AML/CFT training and awareness programs to ensure staff understand their obligations and relevant risk indicators; Work closely with Compliance, Legal, Risk, Operations, Product, Customer Engagement, and technology teams to embed AML/CFT requirements into business processes, systems, and change initiatives; Support new product, jurisdiction, customer segment, and outsourcing assessments to ensure AML/CFT risks are appropriately considered before launch or implementation; Maintain appropriate oversight of third parties and outsourced service providers performing AML/CFT-related activities on behalf of the firm; Promote a strong culture of financial crime compliance, accountability, and ethical conduct across the organization.

Requirements

Experience in crypto, fintech, or another regulated, fast-paced industry with a high volume of transactions; Significant experience in AML/CFT, financial crime compliance, or regulatory compliance within a regulated financial services firm; Previous experience as a PCF-52 with a CASP or financial services firm; Strong knowledge of Irish and EU AML/CFT legislation, regulatory expectations, and applicable guidance; Experience designing, implementing, and overseeing AML/CFT compliance frameworks in complex or high-growth environments using technology; Demonstrated experience engaging with regulators, senior management, boards, audit, and second- and third-line oversight functions; Strong understanding of AML/CFT risk assessment, CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, screening, suspicious activity reporting, and governance; Experience managing compliance issues in relation to new products, technology, outsourcing, and cross-border operations; Strong judgment, independence, and ability to challenge effectively at senior levels; Must satisfy Fitness & Probity standards, including competence, capability, honesty, integrity, and financial soundness; Risk-based decision-making; Cross-functional collaboration; Systems thinker who deploys technology solutions including AI with the goal of automating everything possible consistent with regulatory requirements to scale the program as a risk based, operationally effective, data driven machine.

Nice to have

Previous experience with MiFID II/Market Abuse Directive