Global Head of Financial Crime Compliance

Aspire is the leading all-in-one finance operating system for growing businesses in APAC. We are on a mission to reinvent business finance for a new generation of entrepreneurs and business owners, empowering startups and MSME to realise their full potential. 

Founded in 2018, Aspire has raised over USD 300M+ across equity and debt from world-class investors. In 2023, we successfully closed an oversubscribed USD 100 million Series C equity round led by Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Ventures with participation of Tencent, Paypal Ventures, LGT Capital Partners, Picus Capital and MassMutual Ventures. To power our solutions, we have partnered with some of the best companies in the world such as Visa and Wise and helped more than 15,000 businesses using our suite of products.

For 2 consecutive years in 2022 & 2023, Aspire has been awarded Best Employer of the Year and Startup of the year by Asia FinTech Awards, and also LinkedIn’s Top Startup in Singapore. In 2023, we also made it to CB Insights’ Top 100 Global Fintech List. 

You will be amazed by the energy and experience of our team! Aspire serves as an environment for you to innovate and drive change with our team of ex-entrepreneurs, ex-founders, and high-achievers with international and diverse backgrounds.

Are you a top talent who is passionate about entrepreneurship? Join our rapidly growing team to make an impact in the fintech space! 

About the role:

You are an experienced senior compliance professional with experience in the payment services, fintech, banking, or financial services industries, and a strong track record of executing AML & CFT programs. You will play a critical role in working with the Global  Head of Compliance to develop a group-level AML & CFT control framework for Aspire’s products and services as it prepares to scale its product offerings while expanding to multiple markets.

You will be dealing with any and all regulatory and compliance matters, such as designing compliance strategies in line with legal requirements guidelines from group perspective, drafting and implementing policies, SOPs, systems, governance, and internal controls, and helping Aspire comply with its regulatory obligations.

• Develop and implement a global financial crime compliance framework, covering AML, CFT, and fraud prevention, tailored to our growing portfolio of business lines.
• Elevate the Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) program to align with a global, multi-business structure, ensuring robust compliance across payments, cards, investments, credit, and other emerging product lines.
• Collaborate closely with Operations and Technology teams to drive program uplifts, ensuring that compliance strategies are integrated into business operations and technical systems effectively.
• Lead and oversee AML/CFT and fraud compliance programs, including risk assessments, transaction monitoring, and the reporting of suspicious activities.
• Conduct portfolio analysis, rule validation, and back testing to ensure that compliance rules and controls are effective and aligned with business growth.
• Ensure effective policies and controls are in place to detect, mitigate, and prevent financial crime risks globally, while adapting to the specific needs of each business line.
• Collaborate with regulators and law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions to ensure compliance with all AML, CFT, and fraud-related regulations.
• Drive internal training programs to enhance awareness and ensure all business units, from payments to credit, are equipped to identify and combat financial crime.
• Lead and mentor a global team, working closely with legal, operations, and technology to integrate financial crime controls into all aspects of the business.

• 10+ years of experience in financial crime compliance, with a strong focus on AML, CFT, and fraud prevention in the payments or financial services industry.
• In-depth understanding of global AML/CFT laws and fraud detection/prevention, with experience scaling compliance programs for multiple business lines (e.g., payments, cards, investments, and credit).
• Proven experience in working with Operations and Technology teams to uplift compliance programs, including system integration and process improvements.
• Experience in portfolio analysis, rule validation, and back testing to ensure compliance measures are data-driven and effective.
• Proven track record of developing and managing global FCC programs across complex, multi-jurisdictional environments.
• Experience working with global regulators and ensuring compliance with international standards and regulations.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive and inspire a global compliance team.
• Relevant certifications such as CAMS, ICA, or equivalent are preferred.

Preferred qualifications:

• Strong English communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Strong team player to work with various internal stakeholders to effectively implement the compliance program
• Independent worker with strong analytical skills and the ability to make sound compliance/regulatory recommendations. 

What we offer

• Uncapped flexible annual leave.
• Hybrid work arrangement. 
• Training subsidy for your professional growth.
• Wellness benefit.
• Team bonding budget to foster collaboration and sense of belonging.
• Flexibility to work from anywhere (for up to 90 days per annum).
• Culture is Key: We always strive to cultivate a special culture that brings special talents together - You can learn more about our culture on our careers site and LinkedIn Life page.
  

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Aspire is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by applicable laws. 

 

Please note: by submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood Aspire’s Data Protection Policy for Employees, Freelancers, Contractors and Job Applicants (the “Policy”), and consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal data by Aspire for the purposes set out in the Policy. You may withdraw consent for such collection, use and disclosure, and make an access or correction request in respect of your personal data, in accordance with the Policy by emailing people@aspireapp.com.