The story of Zai

Zai is boldly transforming the future of financial services and powering our customers by making innovative financial services accessible to all.

The Zai brand focuses on mid-market and enterprise-level business customers in the world of integrated financial services, including payments, FX, fraud management, reconciliation and more.

Zai’s payment APIs are a core capability within its suite of embedded finance products and services, helping businesses manage multiple payment workflows and move funds.

Zai has over 150 employees, across APAC, Europe, the Middle-East, and the US. We are looking for skilled, motivated and passionate people who want to be part of the next generation of financial services.

Our Zai Culture values moving quickly, productivity and hard work and we achieve this through a sustainable work-hours environment which we strongly support through our People Leaders. We also focus on having fun across the Teams while we deliver great customer solutions.

To find out more about the 10-year history of Zai visit https://www.hellozai.com/

The Role

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the CRO will be based in Ireland and have responsibility and oversight of the Corporate Governance policies and structures for the business. The role will lead and be accountable for all group initiatives for compliance, risk, financial crime and legal.

In addition to reporting to the CEO, the CRO will have a dotted responsibility line to the Risk sub-committee of the board overseeing Audit, Risk and Compliance matters. The role oversees individual, yet intertwined, functions with the detailed expectations and duties of each role outlined below.

Due to the current restructuring of the organisation, we would see this role as an interim with a 12-month contract. This could be extended or moved to a permanent role if suitable.

Responsibilities

Compliance

Oversee and manage the regulatory compliance framework for the Company, enabling the efficient and effective governance of the company:

Working alongside the CEO and CBI to ensure a robust Risk & Compliance function is put in place to meet the current needs of the business and ensuring compliance across the organisaton globally.

Lead, design, and implement the licensing strategy, to support the Group’s new markets expansion

Liaise with regulators for licensing and regulatory matters, maintaining an effective and open relationship with the regulators and managing all regulatory inquiries and reviews, including reporting and notification matters

Design and ensure sufficient compliance structure and resources globally to ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements / expectation, and support business growth and expansion in existing and new markets

Develop and formulate Group Compliance policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and ensure effective implementation of the program across the Company

Proactively work and cooperate with all other functions and key stakeholders to ensure that the Group’s objectives are achieved, and regulatory compliance risks are mitigated

Conduct regulatory research, track new or revised regulations and implement internal policies, procedures and processes to ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable laws and regulations

Advise and support the business on all compliance matters and ensure the business is in alignment with license requirements globally, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations

Conduct assessments and reviews on the adequacy and relevance of regulatory and compliance strategies, policies and frameworks, and oversee enhancements to address control deficiencies

Conduct investigations into potential non-compliance incidents

Implement and conduct regular compliance training programs on an ongoing basis to educate staff on the relevant regulatory developments, compliance policies and procedures

Timely and proactive escalation of issues resulting from compliance monitoring, resolution tracking and periodic management/board reporting on compliance risks

Risk

Develop and maintain a Risk Management Framework, build, and promote a healthy business risk culture and own constant challenge of culture and processes to ensure the business operates inside the Framework

Lead and oversee the periodic group enterprise risk assessment exercise, and formulation of the group risk appetite statement

Owning, maintaining, and implementing the Risk Management Framework which covers end-to-end risk identification, assessment, monitoring, reporting and assurance

Establishing, maintaining and/or implementing risk strategies, policies, processes, guidelines, performance metrics and monitoring systems to detect and prevent potential abuse and vulnerabilities

Embed Top Risks in metrics and ensure those risks are managed within the business

Provide practical implementation guidance to enable Risk staff to implement policies and procedures in an effective manner

Embed a culture of effective Risk Management within the day to day operation of the business

Monitoring to ensure business activities and operations (and going forward global entities within the group) are operating within acceptable risk tolerance

Deliver ‘effective governance’; capability to educate and challenge colleagues effectively; and willingness to work in an open and cooperative manner with all

Leadership

Manage performance, wellbeing, and engagement by creating a culture of achievement and satisfaction.

Leadership, direction, coaching, mentoring and support is provided to all team members based on individual needs

All team members have a current JD outlining the key responsibility areas of their role and how it will be measured

All Team Members have the skills and experience to perform individual roles or have a development plan in place to achieve set objectives

The company values and behaviours are consistently promoted and reinforced

Regular 1:1s are undertaken and annual performance & development reviews are conducted

A safe working environment is provided for all employees and all OH&S issues are proactively managed

Experience

10 years+ of experience in Risk / Compliance in financial services – specific experience in Fintech and the payments industry would be an advantage

Strong general experience and expertise in risk management, and experience in digital-related risks (technology risk, ICS Risk, resilience)

Knowledge of key regulatory and supervisory frameworks in markets the Company operates or plans to operate in

Managing numerous teams across multiple geographies

Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills

Skills and behaviours

Be able to diagnose problems quickly and have foresight into potential issues

Leadership competency in managing a sizable matrixed team, in an environment of shifting priorities, and constant technological and regulatory changes

In-depth understanding of the business support functions including operations, technology, people & culture, finance, and risk

Knowledgeable in data analysis, and experience in designing and implementing the operations strategy

Genuine interest in the fintech world, keep abreast of the latest market trend, embrace the fast-changing environment

Setting the agenda for operational excellence

Prior experience in executive-level company management in global roles, inspiring and leading diverse teams

In return Zai are offering

Global market exposure in an agile & flat organisation where your ideas and contributions will have strong impacts on the company’s growth and success

A company culture with an innovative, inclusive & collaborative mindset where you will learn something new every day, alongside amazing professionals

A fun, flexible and hybrid work environment

Competitive salary packages & benefits while ensuring constant professional development with your line manager & our L&D programs

Our Equal Opportunity Employer Commitment

Zai are equal opportunity employers committed to creating a diverse environment for its workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without bias to education, race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age.