Head of AML/CTF Compliance

HEAD OF AML/CTF COMPLIANCE / REMOTE / DUBLIN / COMPETITIVE BASIC SALARY / ANNUAL BONUS / BENEFITS/ PERMANENT

About the Team/Role 

The Head of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Legislation Compliance (Ireland) is a critical leadership role responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day management of the AML/CFT function for Optal Financial Europe Limited (OFEL).

OFEL is WEX’s authorised Electronic Money Institution (EMI) in Ireland and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI). As a designated PCF-52 role holder, the successful candidate acts as a strategic partner to both local and global business units, ensuring that OFEL maintains robust "Mind and Management" in Ireland while aligning with WEX's global compliance standards.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Head of Regulated Entities EMEA, you will be expected to demonstrate a proactive "self-starter" mindset, utilising internal tools—including AI and data analytics—to modernise AML processes and capabilities. Beyond local oversight, you will be a key contributor to the International Compliance team, identifying and leading initiatives that strengthen the firm's global financial crime posture.

What’s on offer?

• Highly competitive salary (dependent on experience)

• Annual company bonus

• PRSA - 7% Employer and 3% Employee 

• 40-hour week - Monday to Friday, no evenings or weekends

• Remote working (Ad-Hoc meetings in the Dublin office)

• Private Medical 

• Life assurance 

• Employee wellbeing 

​How you'll make an impact

AML/CFT Compliance & MLRO Oversight

• Ensure OFEL maintains its standing as an authorised EMI by meeting all CBI AML/CFT requirements, acting as the primary point of contact for the regulator on financial crime matters.

• Execute the statutory duties of the Money Laundering Reporting Officer. Ensure Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) are handled with high judgement, speed, and absolute independence, filing timely reports with the FIU (Gardaí) and Revenue Commissioners.

• Responsible for all financial crime-related regulatory reporting to the CBI, including the timely and accurate submission of the Risk Evaluation Questionnaire (REQ) and other mandatory reports.

• Lead the creation, documentation, and formal presentation of the Annual MLRO Report to the OFEL Board, providing a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the firm's AML/CFT framework.

• Lead the annual documentation and update of the OFEL Financial Crime Risk Assessment (FCRA), ensuring it accurately reflects the nature, scale, and complexity of the business and its specific risk exposure.

• Ownership of local aspects of applicable AML/CFT compliance policies, procedures and AML/CFT training materials;

• Act as the escalation point for AML/CTF matters raised by the First Line, providing guidance, challenge, and decision-making where required.

• Oversee the implementation and performance of fraud and transaction monitoring systems, ensuring appropriate calibration, testing, and continuous improvement. 

• Oversee ongoing effectiveness of KYC/CDD processes, including onboarding, periodic reviews, name screening and enhanced due diligence. 

• Take formal ownership of the Annual Compliance Testing & Oversight Plan for all financial crime-related items. Partner with the Testing team to review findings and ensure identified gaps are remediated.

Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership

• Proactively monitor the evolving regulatory landscape, with a specific focus on upcoming EU regulations such as the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA). Provide interpretation guidance and support projects to operationalise new requirements.

• Actively engage with industry associations and professional bodies to stay ahead of regulatory trends and ensure the interests of the business are considered and represented in policy discussions.

• Act as a high-level advisor to the Board and Executive team, providing proactive guidance on achieving business objectives through “customer-first” solutions that satisfy all AML/CFT requirements.

• Identify and utilise internal technologies (including AI and Large Language Models) to drive innovation, introduce operational efficiencies, and enhance decision-making across the AML and CTF function.

• Partner with product and commercial teams to analyse innovative offerings during the proposal phase. Ensure AML/CFT "compliance by design" is integrated before products are launched to customers.

• Work collaboratively alongside the International Compliance team to participate in global projects, lead cross-border initiatives, and share best practices to ensure a consistent global standard.

Experience you'll bring 

• Experience in AML, compliance, or legal within the financial services sector (EMI or Payment Institution experience is highly preferred).

• Proven ability to manage complex testing plans and lead successful audit outcomes within a regulated Irish environment.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate with global colleagues and influence Board-level stakeholders in a matrixed environment.

• Degree in management, economics, law, or equivalent professional experience. AML/KYC-related certification (e.g., CAMS, ICA) is expected.

Skills & Competencies

• Comfortable working in a multi-jurisdictional environment and supporting international colleagues across different time zones.

• A demonstrable ability to adopt and champion new tools (e.g., Gemini, Tableau, Salesforce) to streamline AML workflows and reporting.

• Highly comfortable working independently and making high-stakes decisions in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to see the "big picture" and provide solutions that balance commercial growth with robust financial crime prevention.

Other Requirements

• Must be an Irish resident and legally permitted to work in Ireland.

• This is a PCF-52 role and is subject to formal approval by the Central Bank of Ireland.

• Must comply with the CBI’s Fitness and Probity Standards, including the Common Conduct Standards and Additional Conduct Standards.

What's next?

If you feel that you have the necessary skills for our Head of AML/CFL Compliance  role. then please  APPLY TODAY for immediate consideration.

This role has been identified as a Controlled Function (“CF”) under the CBI’s Fitness & Probity Standards. Accordingly, OFEL must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that the role holder complies at all times with the Fitness and Probity Standards  and all other relevant conduct Standards. Applicants agree to permit OFEL (or its agents) to conduct such due diligence as it deems necessary to satisfy itself on reasonable grounds that you comply with the Fitness and Probity Standards and that you will provide OFEL with all information and/or documentation relating to your qualifications, experience, employment history, financial soundness and other interests that OFEL requests for that purpose. 

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

Due to the volume of applications received, unfortunately it is not possible to respond to each one individually, applicants that are shortlisted will be contacted within one week of application.

We do not accept speculative agency CVs. Any CV received by WEX will be treated as a gift and will not be eligible for an agency fee. PSL agencies should only send CVs if authorised to do so by the Talent Acquisition team.