Senior Compliance Manager & MLRO, Japan (Fintech)

Location: Tokyo, Japan; this role is based in Japan

Company

Airwallex provides an AI-native financial operating system and regulated infrastructure for global payments, financial operations, and embedded finance.

What you will do

• Own and develop the financial crime compliance framework for Japan based on the global compliance framework.
• Design, implement, maintain, and monitor AML programs, screening rules, monitoring rules, and internal controls.
• Manage regulatory interactions, examinations, ad-hoc requests, EDD approvals, name-screening alerts, and suspicious matter reporting.
• Represent Airwallex with regulators, financial institutions, banking partners, and payment network partners.
• Advise Commercial and Operations teams on compliance matters and coordinate responses to audit, review, and regulatory findings.
• Build monitoring, reporting, KPI, and KRI processes for senior management, the audit committee, and the board.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of financial crime compliance experience in a financial institution, fintech company, or payment provider.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and complex, deadline-driven issues.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and coordination skills.
• Native-level Japanese and business-level English proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking.

Nice to have

• Knowledge or experience in the payments, electronic payments, or fintech industry.
• Experience as an MLRO or Deputy MLRO.
• Experience interacting with regulators such as Japan’s Financial Services Agency.
• Internal audit or audit-related experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Work with a global Legal, Risk & Compliance team focused on protecting operations and managing legal, regulatory, and financial risks.
• Collaborate with colleagues across a global financial infrastructure business operating through more than 85 licenses and 27 offices.
• Operate in a builder-oriented environment emphasizing ownership, curiosity, sound judgment, and first-principles thinking.