Head of Legal, Risk & Compliance

Remote People • USA, North America

1d • Remote

About The Position

A well-capitalized, venture-backed technology company is looking for its first Chief Compliance Officer. The business operates across multiple international markets and is entering a significant growth phase, including a substantial fundraising round and continued global expansion. This is a builder role. You will join a lean executive team and own compliance entirely — creating policy, structure, and culture from scratch. In return, you'll receive executive-level compensation, a meaningful equity stake, and a genuine seat at the leadership table.

Requirements

• 10+ years in a senior compliance or legal role, with experience in at least one of: fintech, payments, financial services, or high-growth tech
• Hands-on experience building compliance programs — ideally in a startup or scale-up where you had to create structure rather than maintain it
• Strong command of AML/KYC frameworks and international privacy regulation
• Demonstrated ability to manage compliance obligations across multiple countries and legal systems
• You communicate clearly with boards and investors, make sound decisions under uncertainty, and don't need a large team to be effective

Nice To Haves

• JD or postgraduate qualification in law or compliance preferred
• Professional certifications (CAMS, CCEP or equivalent) are an advantage

Responsibilities

• Stand up and lead a fit-for-purpose global compliance function across all markets where the company operates
• Develop the policies, controls, and monitoring systems needed to meet regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously
• Take ownership of all AML and KYC obligations, including those tied to capital raises and institutional transactions
• Establish the company's approach to data governance, with a particular focus on handling sensitive user and stakeholder information at scale
• Ensure full alignment with GDPR, CCPA, and applicable international privacy frameworks
• Work cross-functionally with technology leadership to ensure compliance is built into the product, not bolted on
• Identify, assess, and mitigate regulatory and operational risk across the business on an ongoing basis
• Create an internal audit function that gives the CEO and Board reliable, timely insight into compliance posture
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external legal counsel and regulators across all operating regions
• Own the company's Code of Conduct and ensure it is embedded meaningfully across a globally distributed team
• Design and deliver training on ethics, anti-corruption (FCPA), and conduct standards

Benefits

• Executive equity package
• Competitive base salary
• Fully remote, internationally distributed team
• Direct reporting line to the CEO
• The chance to define and own a critical function at a company with genuine global ambitions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior