A leading global fintech company is seeking a Compliance Manager to lead its compliance and financial crime function in Japan during an exciting phase of business expansion.
This highly visible leadership role will serve as the primary compliance officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), partnering closely with regional leadership and the local Board of Directors. You will play a critical role in regulatory engagement, licensing, financial crime prevention, and compliance strategy while helping shape the future of digital payments and fintech regulation in Japan.
This opportunity is ideal for professionals with expertise in Compliance, Financial Crime, AML, Regulatory Affairs, Payments, Fintech, Risk Management, and Financial Services Compliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the designated Compliance Lead and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for Japan.
- Lead the development and execution of compliance and financial crime strategies.
- Act as the primary liaison with Japanese regulatory authorities and industry bodies.
- Support the acquisition, maintenance, and expansion of financial services licenses.
- Design, implement, and enhance compliance, AML, sanctions, and financial crime frameworks.
- Leverage data, automation, and technology to strengthen risk monitoring and reporting capabilities.
- Provide strategic compliance advice to senior management and the Board of Directors.
- Manage regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance reviews.
- Build and maintain relationships with banking partners, payment networks, and financial institutions.
- Promote compliance-by-design principles throughout product development and business initiatives.
- Monitor regulatory developments and advise stakeholders on emerging compliance requirements.
- Drive a strong culture of compliance, ethics, and risk awareness across the organization.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Experience:
- Extensive compliance experience within financial services, banking, fintech, payments, or related regulated industries.
- Strong knowledge of AML, financial crime, sanctions, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
- Experience interacting directly with Japanese regulatory authorities.
- Proven ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.
- Experience managing compliance programs within a regulated environment.
- Strong understanding of risk management and governance frameworks.
- Experience advising senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
Soft Skills:
- Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Strategic mindset with strong commercial awareness.
- Ability to influence and collaborate across global and local teams.
- Proactive and solutions-oriented approach.
- Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Language Requirements:
- Japanese: Native level.
- English: Fluent.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- Experience within the payments, digital payments, fintech, or transaction banking sectors.
- Experience serving as an MLRO or equivalent compliance leadership role.
- Familiarity with technology-driven compliance, RegTech, AI, and automation solutions.
- Experience supporting licensing applications and regulatory approvals.
- Knowledge of cross-border payments and international financial services regulations.
About the Company
Our client is a globally recognized fintech organization providing the technology infrastructure and transaction processing solutions that power digital businesses around the world.
With more than a decade of successful operations in Japan, the company has established itself as a market leader and continues to invest heavily in innovation, compliance excellence, and business growth. The organization combines cutting-edge technology with a highly international culture, creating an environment where talented professionals can make a significant impact.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- Lead the compliance function for a globally recognized fintech market leader.
- Direct exposure to senior leadership and Board-level decision-making.
- Opportunity to shape regulatory engagement and compliance strategy in Japan.
- Play a key role in a rapidly growing payments and fintech business.
- Work in a highly international and collaborative environment.
- Exposure to innovative technologies including AI, automation, and data-driven compliance solutions.
- Flexible working arrangements including remote work and flextime.
- Strong long-term career growth and leadership opportunities.
- Competitive executive-level compensation and benefits package.
Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!
