Head of Compliance/Compliance Officer (Licensing)

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Head of Compliance to lead regulatory, compliance, and licensing matters for our digital assets business. The successful candidate will serve as the appointed Compliance Officer under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) regulatory regime and oversee the company’s Major Payment Institution (MPI) license obligations. This is a senior leadership role working closely with the CEO, board, and regulators to ensure full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Head of Compliance/Director and MLRO, ensuring compliance with MAS requirements under the Payment Services Act (PSA).
• Lead the MPI license application (DPT) process, renewals, and ongoing regulatory reporting to MAS.
• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies, frameworks, and internal controls relating to AML/CFT, KYC, sanctions, transaction monitoring, and suspicious transaction reporting.
• Provide strategic advice on crypto regulatory matters, including stablecoins, digital payment tokens, custody, and fund transfers.
• Liaise with regulators, auditors, and external legal advisors to ensure smooth inspections and audits.
• Train and advise management and staff on compliance and regulatory developments.
• Monitor regulatory changes in Singapore and globally, assessing their impact on business operations.
• Ensure accurate, timely submission of regulatory filings, incident reports, and compliance attestations.
• Collaborate with business units (e.g., trading, custody, payments) to balance compliance requirements with business objectives.
• Serve as a point of contact for AML/CFT matters, regulatory inspections, and compliance-related queries.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Finance, Accounting, or related discipline; advanced qualifications (e.g., CAMS, ICA) preferred.
• Minimum 6–10 years of compliance experience in financial services, payments, fintech, or crypto-related companies.
• Proven track record with MAS regulations and MPI licensing process under the Payment Services Act.
• Strong expertise in AML/CFT frameworks, regulatory reporting, and internal audit processes.
• Deep understanding of crypto/digital assets regulations, risks, and industry best practices.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with regulators, management, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently, make strategic compliance decisions, and manage a compliance team.Head of Compliance (Responsible Officer/Regulatory Licensing)

We have been engaged by a global publicly listed organization to identify a Head of Compliance who will also serve as the company’s Responsible Officer. This role involves leading the organization’s licensing application process in Singapore.

Key Responsibilities

• Licensing & Regulatory Compliance
• Lead the end-to-end management of the MAS insurance brokerage license application. Act as primary liaison with MAS, ensuring clear and timely communication. Develop and maintain internal policies and frameworks compliant with relevant laws (Insurance Act, FAA, Business Conduct Guidelines).
• Governance, Risk & Controls
• Oversee compliance with AML/CFT regulations, PDPA, and corporate governance codes. Conduct internal risk assessments and audits to proactively mitigate regulatory risks. Monitor ongoing compliance post-licensing.
• Leadership & Regulatory Strategy
• Advise senior leadership on regulatory trends and MAS updates. Promote a strong compliance culture via training and awareness programs. Represent compliance in board and executive risk discussions.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Collaborate with auditors, legal counsel, and service providers to support MAS readiness and compliance. Support cross-functional teams during regulatory reviews, due diligence, and audits.

Qualifications & Requirements

• MAS Fit & Proper
• Eligible to be appointed as MAS Responsible Officer (RO) under FAA and/or Insurance Act. Experience dealing directly with MAS or similar regulators.
• Experience
• 5+ years in , financial services, or regulatory compliance. At least 5 years in senior compliance or RO roles in Singapore, preferably in licensed insurance brokerage or financial advisory firms. Proven track record of securing and maintaining MAS licenses is highly desirable.
• Technical Skills
• Strong knowledge of MAS regulatory frameworks, licensing, and compliance operations. Familiar with risk management, governance, and regulatory audits.
• Leadership & Communication
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills. Strong written and verbal communication with influence across organizational levels.