Head of Compliance & MLRO (Crypto)

Location: Nigeria (Remote)

Company

OKX operates a crypto exchange and wallet that provide access to crypto trading and decentralized applications for retail and institutional users.

What you will do

• Serve as the primary compliance contact for regulators and oversee governance requirements for Approved and Designated Persons.
• Build and maintain the compliance framework for a virtual asset service provider, aligned with local requirements, FATF Recommendations, and international best practices.
• Develop and oversee AML/CFT, KYC/CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, data protection, cybersecurity compliance, and client-asset safeguarding controls.
• Act as MLRO, assess internal Suspicious Transaction Reports, determine external disclosures, and oversee sanctions, customer risk scoring, and high-risk customer reviews.
• Integrate compliance into product design, user journeys, product flows, advertising, social media, partnerships, and go-to-market materials.
• Report to the Board and senior management, deliver training, maintain the risk register and compliance manual, and support regulatory inspections.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Law, Finance, Business, or a related field; a postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
• At least 8 years of experience in compliance, AML, or financial crime prevention, including at least 3 years in a senior or leadership compliance role.
• In-house experience in a virtual asset service provider, cryptocurrency exchange, fintech firm, or regulated financial institution.
• Experience engaging directly with financial regulators and the financial intelligence unit.
• Deep understanding of FATF Recommendations for VASPs, including the Travel Rule and FATF Recommendation 16.
• Strong knowledge of crypto-specific AML typologies and experience with blockchain analytics and transaction monitoring tools such as Chainalysis, Elliptic, TRM Labs, or equivalent.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills, regulator and law-enforcement engagement skills, personal integrity, and sound professional judgment.
• Professional compliance or AML certification is strongly preferred, such as CAMS, ICA AML or Compliance, CFE, or equivalent.

Nice to have

• Prior experience as an MLRO or Deputy MLRO.
• Experience building compliance programmes from the ground up in a start-up or scaling environment.
• Familiarity with the regional regulatory framework, compliance technology, analytics tools, and multi-jurisdictional compliance oversight.
• Experience in cryptocurrency or blockchain compliance programmes and multinational financial institutions.
• Knowledge of crypto products including spot trading, derivatives, staking, lending and borrowing, DeFi, and stablecoins.

Culture & Benefits

• Remote role supporting a global crypto business.
• Senior leadership position with responsibility for compliance resourcing, systems, and budget recommendations.
• Work with Legal, Product, Marketing, global compliance, and product functions.
• Participation in regulatory inspections, supervisory visits, and examinations.

Hiring process

• Apply through the official OKX careers website; third-party vacancy information may be inaccurate or outdated.
• Application data is processed under the OKX Candidate Privacy Notice.