Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money.
Min fees. Max ease. Full speed.
Whether people and businesses are sending money to another country, spending abroad, or making and receiving international payments, Wise is on a mission to make their lives easier and save them money.
As part of our team, you will be helping us create an entirely new network for the world's money.
For everyone, everywhere.
More about our mission and what we offer.
Job DescriptionWe are looking for a Head of Financial Crime (FC) Control Governance to design, own and operate the 1LOD control governance framework across Wise entities. The role is accountable for the integrity and effectiveness of the FC control environment, ensuring 1LOD controls meet Group control standards. Working in close partnership with Product, Operations and 2LOD Compliance, the ideal candidate will provide the governance and support to enable rapid delivery while maintaining a robust, audit-ready control framework.
Your mission:
Manage and enhance the 1LOD FC control governance strategy and operating model across Wise entities.
Own and maintain the Financial Crime control library as the single source of truth and ensure ongoing library hygiene.
Lead control mapping across the end-to-end framework (risks, processes, product, and regulatory obligations).
Enforce control documentation quality check.
Drive continuous improvement of the control assurance framework and workflow design, with an appetite for automation (e.g. AI-enabled documentation where appropriate).
Run control approval governance forum including senior management sign-off and tracking of actions to completion.
Prepare high-quality materials, dashboards, and trend analysis for senior management and risk committees.
Act as a key 1LOD point of contact supporting regulatory exams, process walkthroughs and audit requests relating to FC controls.
Lead a small team (currently 1 direct report) and provide prioritisation and performance management; with potential to grow the team over time in line with programme needs.
Qualifications:
Significant experience in controls governance and risk within a regulated financial institution (bank, payments, fintech at scale, consultancy supporting banks).
Strong knowledge of financial crime risk domains (AML, sanctions, CDD/KYC, transaction monitoring, fraud) and how these translate into operational/product controls.
Proven ownership of control libraries /RCSA/ control frameworks, including control lifecycle management and mapping to obligations.
Demonstrated ability to run governance forums, manage senior stakeholders, and produce audit-ready decision records.
Experience partnering with 2LoD Compliance/Risk and supporting Internal Audit / regulatory reviews.
Strong capacity to prioritize tasks, maintain a problem-solving mindset, and take ownership to drive and deliver projects from inception to completion with high attention to detail
Strong data literacy with the ability to scrutinize metrics.
For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders — without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.
We're proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences.
Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.
If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs.
Keep up to date with life at Wise by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Skills Required
- Significant experience in controls governance and risk within a regulated financial institution, bank, payments company, scaled fintech, or consultancy supporting banks
- Strong knowledge of financial crime risks, including AML, sanctions, CDD/KYC, transaction monitoring, and fraud
- Experience owning control libraries, RCSA, and control frameworks, including control lifecycle management and regulatory obligation mapping
- Experience running governance forums, managing senior stakeholders, and producing audit-ready decision records
- Experience partnering with second-line Compliance or Risk and supporting Internal Audit or regulatory reviews
- Ability to prioritize tasks, solve problems, take ownership, and deliver projects from inception to completion with high attention to detail
- Strong data literacy and ability to scrutinize metrics
- Experience leading and performance-managing a team
Wise Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity is broadly accessible through RSUs granted to all employees in addition to salary, aligning rewards with company performance. This company‑wide ownership stance is consistently highlighted in the benefits descriptions.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is notably generous, with a global minimum of 33 days and 36 days listed for U.S. locations. After four years, a six‑week paid sabbatical plus a £1,000 stipend further strengthens time‑away benefits.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Lifestyle support includes work‑from‑anywhere for up to 90 days per year after six months, flexible working principles, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program. Extras like three annual “Me Days” and a professional‑development allowance add quality‑of‑life value.
Wise Insights
What We Do
Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world's money. With Wise Account and Wise Business, people and businesses can hold 40 currencies, move money between countries and spend money abroad. Large companies and banks use Wise technology too; an entirely new network for the world's money. Launched in 2011, Wise is one of the world’s fastest growing, profitable tech companies. In fiscal year 2025, Wise supported around 15.6 million people and businesses, processing over $185 billion in cross-border transactions and saving customers around $2.6 billion.
Why Work With Us
We’re truly global in who we are, how we work, and how we build. Everything we do is centred around creating a world of money that’s fast, easy, fair. And open to all. Everyone who works here owns a piece of Wise, from the work they do, to the stock they hold.
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Wise Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We expect new joiners in the office most days to build connections and learn from colleagues for their first six months. After that, most Wisers split their working week between the office and home, typically coming in at least 12 times a month.
