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MLRO, Head of Risk & Data Protection Officer (DPO)

Wirex

Amsterdam
Full-time
10+ years experience
On-site

Key Skills

Anti-Money Laundering
Counter-Terrorist Financing
Financial Crime Risk Management
Enterprise Risk Management
Suspicious Transaction Reporting
Know Your Customer
Customer Due Diligence
Enhanced Due Diligence
Sanctions Screening
Transaction Monitoring
GDPR Compliance
Data Protection Impact Assessments
Regulatory Engagement
Risk Appetite and Key Risk Indicators
Board-Level Reporting
Privacy by Design

Job Description

One of our group businesses, InvokaPAY B.V., an Amsterdam-based payments company, is building its team ahead of its DNB license. Wirex is proud to share its opportunities with our network. Please note: this role is with InvokaPAY, not Wirex. ABOUT INVOKAPAY InvokaPAY B.V. is a Netherlands-based embedded payments business building an API-driven platform for card issuing and transaction processing. We aim to enable fintechs and digital platforms to integrate co-branded payment capabilities through scalable infrastructure, while InvokaPAY operates within a clear, robust and proportionate regulatory framework. InvokaPAY is preparing for authorisation as a payment institution in the Netherlands. This is an opportunity to join at an early stage and help build the controls, operating model and customer experience required for a regulated payments business designed to scale across Europe. ROLE PURPOSE The MLRO, Head of Risk & Data Protection Officer (DPO) is a senior control-function role responsible for safeguarding InvokaPAY against money laundering and terrorist financing, overseeing the enterprise risk framework and fulfilling the statutory DPO mandate. The role provides independent oversight and challenge across AML/CFT, financial crime risk, enterprise risk, and privacy, while maintaining direct access to the Management Board and Supervisory Board as needed. As designated MLRO, the role owns internal suspicious-activity escalation and external reporting to FIU-NL. As Head of Risk, the role develops and monitors InvokaPAY’s risk framework and risk appetite. As DPO, the role independently monitors GDPR compliance, advises on data-protection obligations, and serves as the contact point for the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AML/CFT & MLRO responsibilities Act as InvokaPAY’s designated MLRO and maintain an effective internal framework for the escalation, assessment, documentation and reporting of unusual or suspicious transactions. Make independent decisions on external suspicious transaction reporting to FIU-NL and maintain complete, confidential records of decisions and supporting rationale. Oversee the effectiveness of AML/CFT controls, including customer risk assessment, KYC/CDD/EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring and financial crime escalation. Own and maintain AML/CFT and financial-crime policies, risk assessments, procedures and management information, ensuring material weaknesses are identified and remediated. Provide specialist advice, training and challenge to the business and report material AML/CFT matters to senior governance bodies. Enterprise risk management Establish, maintain and continuously develop InvokaPAY’s enterprise risk management framework, risk taxonomy, risk appetite and key risk indicators. Provide independent second-line oversight and challenge across strategic, financial, operational, technology/cyber, outsourcing, conduct, compliance, liquidity and reputational risks. Coordinate risk assessments, scenario analysis, control assessments and risk-event reporting and ensure material exposures and remediation actions are tracked. Provide clear risk reporting to the Management Board and Supervisory Board and support regulatory engagement and supervisory reviews. Work with operational owners to strengthen controls without assuming first-line ownership of the risks or controls being overseen. Data protection & DPO mandate Act as InvokaPAY’s designated Data Protection Officer and independently monitor compliance with GDPR and applicable Dutch data-protection requirements. Inform and advise InvokaPAY and its employees on data-protection obligations and promote privacy-by-design and privacy-by-default across products, processes and change initiatives. Advise on and monitor Data Protection Impact Assessments, records of processing, retention, data-subject rights and personal-data breach management. Act as a contact point for and cooperate with the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens and maintain appropriate access to the highest level of management. Monitor data-protection training, awareness, policies and compliance testing while ensuring the DPO is not instructed on how to perform the statutory role. Governance, independence & leadership Maintain direct and unfettered access to the Management Board and appropriate access/reporting to the Supervisory Board on matters within the role’s mandate. Provide independent challenge and escalate material concerns where management action is insufficient, or risks exceed approved appetite. Support DNB, FIU-NL, AP, audit and other competent-authority engagements within the role’s remit and maintain inspection-ready records. Oversee and develop relevant risk/financial-crime resources as the organisation scales, including effective delegation while retaining appropriate oversight. Regularly assess whether the combined mandates remain adequately resourced and free from conflicts of interest; escalate any capacity, independence or segregation-of-duties concern promptly. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Essential At least 8 years’ senior experience across AML/CFT, financial crime and/or enterprise risk within regulated financial services. Experience acting as, deputising for, or working closely with an MLRO, including suspicious-transaction reporting decisions. Strong knowledge of Dutch/EU AML/CFT, payment-services, sanctions and risk-management requirements applicable to payment institutions. Strong working knowledge of GDPR and the statutory role, independence and responsibilities of a Data Protection Officer. Experience engaging with regulators, FIUs, auditors and senior governance bodies, including board-level reporting. Demonstrated independence, strong challenge skills and the credibility to escalate material issues to senior management and supervisory governance. Professional fluency in English and the ability to operate effectively in the Netherlands. Desirable Experience within a Dutch payment institution, EMI, bank, card issuer, payment-initiation provider or embedded-payments business. Knowledge of DORA, PSD2 and evolving EU payments and AML frameworks, including their interaction with operational and technology risk. Relevant professional qualifications such as ICA/ACAMS/CAMS, FRM, CIPP/E or equivalent. Experience building control frameworks and teams in an early-stage or rapidly scaling regulated business. Professional proficiency in Dutch. Practical knowledge and experience applying AI tools. How You Will Work We are looking for a senior control-function professional who combines independence, sound judgement and practical execution. You will: Act with integrity, sound judgement and a strong sense of personal accountability. Work comfortably in a hands-on, early-stage environment where processes are being built and improved. Provide independent, evidence-based challenge to senior management and maintain the authority, access and objectivity required of the role. Use data and evidence to make decisions, document outcomes and identify opportunities to improve controls, commercial performance and customer outcomes. Escalate material issues early and constructively and contribute to a culture of transparency and continuous improvement. What We Offer Competitive employment package and benefits appropriate to the Netherlands. Opportunity to help build a regulated European payments business from an early stage. Significant influence over InvokaPAY’s risk, AML/CFT and data-protection frameworks. Direct exposure to senior leadership and cross-functional decision-making. Professional development and the opportunity to shape governance and controls as the business scales. Pre-Employment Screening All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of pre-employment screening and background checks appropriate to the role. These checks are mandatory for new hires and form part of InvokaPAY's governance and regulatory framework. The scope of screening may vary depending on the role, seniority and regulatory responsibilities. Candidates will receive relevant information regarding the screening process and any applicable consent requirements during the recruitment process. Equal Opportunity InvokaPAY B.V. is committed to equal opportunity and to building an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Core Responsibilities

Serve as the designated MLRO, independently overseeing AML/CFT controls and suspicious-activity reporting to FIU-NL, while developing and monitoring the enterprise risk framework. Act as the statutory DPO, oversee GDPR compliance, advise on privacy obligations, and report material matters to senior governance bodies and relevant authorities.

Requirements

Requires at least eight years of senior experience in AML/CFT, financial crime, or enterprise risk in regulated financial services, including MLRO-related work and suspicious-transaction reporting decisions. Candidates need strong knowledge of Dutch and EU regulatory requirements, GDPR and DPO responsibilities, regulator and board engagement experience, and the ability to operate effectively in the Netherlands.

Benefits

  • Competitive Employment Package
  • Professional Development

About Wirex

Industry: Financial Services

Company size: 201-500 employees

Wirex is a global stablecoin banking and payments infrastructure platform for the next generation of financial products. Through a single API, companies can access accounts, card issuing, payments, payouts, stablecoin settlement, yield and more, connecting onchain money with global financial rails. Built on that same infrastructure, Wirex One brings stablecoin-powered banking and payments to consumers, Wirex Business serves companies managing money globally, Wirex Private provides tailored financial services for high-value clients, and Wirex Agents brings payment infrastructure to autonomous AI systems.

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