Head of Safeguarding (PCF-57)

Are you an experienced safeguarding, client assets or custody professional looking to play a key role in building a regulated business from the ground up?

An established international digital assets, payments and financial infrastructure business headquartered in Madrid is expanding its regulated European operations through Ireland and is seeking a Head of Safeguarding (PCF-57) to join its growing leadership team.

This is a unique opportunity to establish and lead the safeguarding framework of a business currently progressing regulatory authorisation, while helping shape governance, client asset protection, operational controls and safeguarding culture from the outset.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the firm's safeguarding and client asset protection framework.
• Own the Custody Framework and associated safeguarding controls.
• Ensure the protection and segregation of client assets and funds.
• Oversee custody operations, reconciliations and safeguarding processes.
• Maintain strong governance and control environments around client assets.
• Monitor safeguarding risks, incidents and operational exceptions.
• Work closely with Risk, Compliance and Operations teams to ensure regulatory alignment.
• Deliver safeguarding reporting to Executive Management, Audit & Risk Committee and the Board.
• Support regulatory engagement, inspections and external audits.
• Contribute to operational resilience, recovery and wind-down planning activities.
• Help build and enhance safeguarding policies, procedures and governance frameworks.

About You

• Experience within a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong experience across safeguarding, client assets, custody, operations or controls functions.
• Experience gained within Payments, E-Money, Banking, Securities Services, Asset Servicing, Fintech or Digital Assets would be highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and client asset protection requirements.
• Experience managing reconciliations, controls and operational oversight processes.
• Ability to engage effectively with regulators, auditors and senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ambitious and motivated to help build a regulated business from an early stage.

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to hold a PCF-57 Controlled Function position.
• Join an established international organisation headquartered in Madrid.
• Play a key role in shaping the safeguarding and client asset protection framework of a regulated business.
• Work directly with senior leadership, regulators and Board members.
• Help build a regulated platform operating across digital assets, payments and financial infrastructure.
• Join a well-capitalised organisation with ambitious long-term growth plans.
• Significant influence during an exciting build and growth phase.