Compliance Officer

**About us**

First Digital Trust ("FDT") is Asia's leading technology-driven financial institution powering the digital asset industry and servicing fintech innovators including blockchain startups, money service businesses and token issuers. The team is behind Abacus rapid settlement network and provides APIs, settlement and clearing, accounting, compliance, fiat gateways, payments rails and open finance infrastructure for the industry.

First Digital is looking for a Singapore based Compliance Officer /MLRO to join and lead its Singapore entity through its Major Payment Institution licensing process and beyond. This is a hands-on role working closely with senior management to develop and manage robust and effective compliance programs to ensuring statutory and regulatory requirements are met from the start. This role will be supported by Compliance and Operations teams based in Hong Kong.

**Responsibilities**
- Initially, the priority for this role will be obtaining the MAS licence. This includes working closely with appointed external compliance advisors to develop and deliver all of the necessary information and documents required.
- Assuming duties and responsibilities of being appointed as the Compliance Officer of the local entity and managing all compliance related matters, including regulatory reporting.
- Implementation and oversight of all aspects of AML/CTF policies and procedures, including monitoring effectiveness and enhancing the controls and processes, where necessary.
- Acting as designated MLRO, reviewing internal reports of suspicious transactions, filing STRs as needed, and maintaining all records relating to such matters.
- Serving as the primary point of contact for local compliance communications and requests from MAS, partner financial institutions, and other third parties.
- Monitoring the regulatory/compliance landscape across Singapore and surrounding jurisdictions and provide support and guidance to the senior management to ensure that ML/TF risks are adequately managed.
- Owning other compliance aspects, such as data privacy compliance, exchange of financial account information for tax purposes (AEoI and FATCA), and data privacy compliance
- Managing and mentoring a team of compliance managers and analysts spanning all skill levels based in Singapore and other local regions, as we expand.
- Promote a culture of compliance within the organization by continuously guiding and coaching staff concerning ML/TF and financial crime risks.
- Interacting with group Operations teams and Product and Engineering teams in active feedback loops to improve the use of our proprietary technology platform and deliver scalable and compliant technology-driven financial services with built-in AML/CTF systems.
- Additional compliance and risk management responsibilities, as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Management from time to time, reporting to the local Director.

**Requirements**:

- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Risk Management, Law or related field
- 8+ years of compliance experience, incl. 3-5+ years of experience in a decision-making function (e.g., Compliance Officer, MLRO, or similar)
- Direct demonstrable liaison experience with MAS and MPI licensing process
- First-hand experience running efficient compliance processes at scale (B2B), including using automation, external tools, without relying on outsourcing
- Financial institutions background (preferably in the fintech & digital assets industry) is strongly preferred, but exceptions can be made for people with an exceptional track record in compliance
- Excellent verbal & written English language skills
- We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. First Digital Trust reserves the right to amend this job description at any time._