Chief Compliance Officer (Helsinki, Finland)

About the Client

Our client is a European fintech providing digital payment services to SMEs, startups, freelancers and businesses operating across borders. Its services include business accounts with EU IBANs, payments in 22 currencies, debit cards, bulk payments, expense management, foreign exchange and POS solutions.

Its Finnish entity is an Electronic Money Institution authorised and regulated by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN-FSA). It serves eligible businesses across the EEA and the UK.

Role Overview

As the Chief Compliance Officer, you will have the opportunity to lead the compliance strategy and team in an influential role within a growing fintech. You will ensure the organization meets compliance requirements and support the development of new products. Engage directly with the CEO and Board, driving significant impact and growth within the company.

Reports to: Finland CEO, with a dotted reporting line to the Board of Directors
Leadership position: Member of the Executive Committee
Employment type: Full-time, permanent

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the compliance strategy, framework and team in line with FIN-FSA expectations, business goals and risk profile.

• Provide independent advice and challenge to the CEO and Board, including clear reporting, escalation and oversight of control improvements.

• Manage engagement with FIN-FSA and other authorities, including submissions, inspections and remediation. Turn Finnish and EU regulatory changes into action.

• Provide second-line oversight of AML/CTF and financial crime, including due diligence, transaction monitoring, sanctions and complex escalations.

• Advise on GDPR, customer protection, DORA and ICT risk, as well as regulatory requirements for new products, lending and expansion.

• Work with Product, Operations and Technology to embed effective controls, develop the compliance team and strengthen compliance culture through training.

Requirements

• Fluent Finnish and English; Swedish is a plus.

• Typically 10–15 years of compliance experience, including substantial second-line experience in a regulated financial institution. Previous CCO or regulator-approved leadership experience is an advantage.

• Hands-on AML/CTF experience in a FIN-FSA or comparable EU-regulated institution, ideally with responsibility for a financial crime framework.

• Strong knowledge of Finnish and EU financial-services regulation, with experience in payments, electronic money or banking.

• Direct experience with financial regulators, plus proven team leadership and senior stakeholder management.

• Eligibility to meet FIN-FSA fit-and-proper requirements, with no regulatory sanctions or disqualifications.

• A Master’s degree in Law or a relevant qualification such as CAMS, ICA Diploma in AML or CIPP/E is an advantage.

Key Soft Skills

• Sound judgement and integrity, with the confidence to challenge and escalate issues.

• Clear communication and the ability to build trust with the Board, regulators, and business teams.

• Pragmatic, risk-based leadership that develops the team.

• Ability to strengthen compliance culture.

• Collaborative mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• A high-impact leadership role with direct access to the CEO and Board.

• The opportunity to develop an established compliance function.

• Competitive salary aligned with experience, plus a performance-related bonus.

• Comprehensive benefits, including occupational healthcare.

• A collaborative, transparent culture that recognizes achievements and personal milestones.