Head of Risk

About the role

Airwallex, the AI-native financial operating system used by more than 675,000 businesses, is looking for a Head of Risk to lead and scale its global second-line risk management function. The role works closely with the Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer and senior executives to shape risk strategy, strengthen enterprise oversight and keep products, markets and entities within approved risk appetite. It is based in the UK/Netherlands.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and scale the global risk management function, covering risk monitoring, detection, policy development, governance, escalation and assurance across worldwide operations.
• Create and execute risk strategies, guidelines, performance metrics and monitoring mechanisms aligned to business priorities and risk appetite.
• Partner with Risk Product, Risk Operations, Engineering, Product, Data Science, Commercial, Operations, Compliance and others to manage risk at product, portfolio, market, merchant and entity levels.
• Communicate risk appetite clearly and champion a strong, practical risk culture.
• Monitor and embed the Risk Management Framework so all global entities stay within acceptable risk tolerances.
• Advise management on external risk, governance and regulatory requirements across markets, and escalate material issues where appropriate.
• Recruit, develop and lead a high-performing global team of risk professionals.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Law or a related field.
• 15+ years of relevant experience in Risk Management, Compliance, Control or Audit within fintech, payments, remittance, banking or financial services.
• Experience building or leading risk frameworks, governance models and oversight programmes in a complex, multi-jurisdiction environment.
• Experience leading international teams and influencing at executive level.
• Preferred: fintech/payments experience, advisory and hands-on risk experience in a regulated environment, regulator/board partnership experience, and comfort across enterprise, fraud, counterparty, operational and regulatory risk.