How to Succeed as a Compliance Manager: Insights from Amanda Thompson

Moving to a new country is a massive undertaking, but for some, it is the perfect catalyst for a complete career reinvention. Ten years ago, Amanda Thompson relocated from the United States to Australia and made a conscious decision to use the move as an opportunity to build a new professional path. Leaving her background in property behind, she stepped into financial services compliance—a transition she calls the best accidental discovery of her professional life.

Amanda fell in love with the field because it operates like a constant, evolving puzzle that touches every corner of an organisation. By embracing this complexity, she built her career from the ground up, moving from an analyst to a senior compliance manager across the fintech and managed funds sectors. Today, she is the Head of Compliance at FX Corp, a position she proudly describes as her dream role.

Here are the key lessons Amanda gathered throughout her journey from a newcomer to a strategic financial executive:

Lesson 1: Combine Great Mentorship with Self-Driven Initiative

Reaching the executive tier on the compliance manager career path rarely happens in a vacuum. Amanda credits much of her swift progression through the ranks to a strong foundation built on the quality of mentorship she received. Having leaders who genuinely invested in her professional development made everything else possible.

However, great mentorship only works if you are willing to do the heavy lifting yourself.

"Another practice that I believe contributed greatly to bringing me where I am today was that I made a habit of consistently putting my hand up for new challenges, taking ownership of my own learning, and always looking for ways to add value beyond what was asked of me."

Expert Tip: Don't wait for career development to be handed to you. Actively seek out leaders you respect, but back up their guidance by proactively volunteering for projects outside your standard job description.

Lesson 2: Dive Into Change to Earn Your Seat at the Table

Human nature pushes us to resist change because it forces us outside of our comfort zones. Yet, the best advice Amanda ever received was to lean directly into change rather than shying away from it.

In a fast-moving sector like fintech and global corporate payments, regulations change daily. A truly effective compliance manager embraces this change practically by looking for ways to improve existing workflows and being humble enough to welcome ideas better than their own.

"When you stop being precious about the way things have always been done, you become someone who drives progress rather than protects the status quo. Executive management noticed that, and it earned me a seat at the table."

Lesson 3: Position Compliance as a Business Partner, Not a Roadblock

One of Amanda’s greatest challenges has been navigating stakeholder management across a global organisation with directors spread across multiple continents and time zones. Every region has its own priorities, yet all require advice grounded firmly in Australian regulatory requirements.

Beyond the global logistics, the real test of a compliance manager is knowing when and how to push back. Amanda overcomes this by maintaining a strong commercial mindset, ensuring compliance is viewed as a support function rather than a barrier.

"The hard moments come when you have to deliver a recommendation that management simply doesn't want to hear. My approach has always been to explain the ‘why’ clearly, but always offer a solution. There is always a compliant path forward that still meets commercial outcomes... Coming to the table with a solution, not just a problem, changes the entire dynamic."

Lesson 4: Put Your Hand Up Even When It Scares You

When asked what advice she would pass on to the next generation of aspiring female leaders looking to step into a compliance manager role, Amanda emphasises the importance of visibility, resilience, and self-worth. Stepping into leadership requires a willingness to stretch yourself, even when you don't feel 100% ready.

• Stretch your limits: Put your hand up consistently, even when it scares you. Real professional growth only happens outside your comfort zone.
• View feedback as an investment: Learn to embrace criticism as a gift. It can be tough to hear, but the people who give you honest, raw feedback are usually the ones most invested in your upward trajectory. Take the note, implement it, and keep moving forward.
• Own your value: Never underestimate your worth. Know the exact skills and perspective you bring to the boardroom table, and own it completely.

About Amanda Thompson:

Amanda Thompson is the Head of Compliance at FX Corp, based in Sydney, Australia. With over a decade of experience across property, fintech, and managed funds, Amanda specialises in cross-border regulatory frameworks, corporate governance, and building robust, commercially-minded risk structures. She is a passionate advocate for mentorship and empowering women to pursue senior leadership roles within the financial services sector.