Our client—an early-stage, Ireland-based Neobank preparing its application for an EMI license—is searching for a dual-hatted Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) / Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to lead the compliance, AML/CTF, and risk agenda through regulatory EMI authorization.
This is a career-defining opportunity to shape a new category of European financial services: a neobank combining transparent pricing, human-centred support, and advanced payment infrastructure built for individuals on the move and the SMEs powering Europe's economy.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead all compliance and AML/CTF aspects of the EMI authorization process with the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), acting as a key liaison for regulatory engagement.
* Design, implement, and oversee the compliance, risk, governance, and AML/CTF frameworks, ensuring alignment with CBI expectations and EU regulatory requirements.
* Prepare, maintain, and update all core documentation needed for EMI licensing, including Compliance, AML/CTF, Risk, and Safeguarding policies and risk assessments.
* Collaborate with product, tech, and operations teams to embed "compliance-by-design" into new features and payment flows.
* Monitor evolving European regulatory developments (PSD2/PSD3, AMLA reforms, EBA guidelines), advising leadership on impacts.
* Support EU passporting and multi-jurisdiction expansion, ensuring consistent compliance standards across markets.
* Establish and manage relationships with regulators, auditors, legal partners, and financial institutions.
Key Requirements
* 3+ years in senior Compliance, Risk, AML/CTF, or MLRO roles in EU-based fintechs or banks
* Demonstrable AML/CTF expertise, including transaction monitoring, suspicious activity investigations, and regulatory reporting.
* Strong understanding of European payments and regulatory frameworks, including PSD2/PSD3, AMLDs/AMLA, SEPA scheme rules, safeguarding, operational resilience, and financial crime typologies.
* Proven experience interacting with EU financial regulators, ideally including the Central Bank of Ireland.
* Ability to design and implement policies, risk assessments, control frameworks, and governance structures for new or scaling institutions.
* Strong documentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
* Experience supporting or leading an EMI or PI license application in EU is a significant advantage.
* Ability to meet the Central Bank of Ireland Fit & Proper requirements
The Employer Offers
* Competitive compensation, aligned with the level of involvement at each stage (part-time during the early licensing period, transitioning to full-time closer to authorization and launch).
* A rare opportunity to build a pan-European compliance, AML/CTF, and risk infrastructure from the ground up.
* Performance-based incentives