Chief Compliance Officer & MLRO

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.

• 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.

• 3+ years in senior Compliance, Risk, AML/CTF, or MLRO roles in EU based fintechsor banks

• 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 EUis a significant advantage.

• Ability to meet the Central Bank of Ireland Fit & Proper requirements

• 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