What is the role about?

The primary goal of your role is to create a culture of compliance by infusing ethics into Bitvavo’s operations. As Compliance Manager, you will lead Bitvavo’s 5-person second line of defence (2LoD) Compliance function, reporting directly to the Head of Compliance. Your focus will be on managing regulatory compliance, ensuring Bitvavo adheres to all relevant financial regulations, with a particular emphasis on MICAR.

Our Compliance department includes both a Financial Crime team and a Compliance (2LoD) team. Together with the Head of Compliance, you will define and execute the regulatory compliance strategy. A key priority will be preparing for the implementation of MiCA, the comprehensive regulatory framework for Crypto Asset Service Providers, expected at the end of 2024.

You will assist the Head of Compliance in maintaining an overview of projects and deliverables while taking ownership of their execution within teams and across the organization. You will provide compliance advice and independent challenge to key stakeholders within the business, proactively sharing your knowledge and expertise on compliance-related topics with the 2nd line compliance team, other departments, and external stakeholders. While Bitvavo is not required to comply with MiFID II, your knowledge and experience with this framework will be invaluable for navigating regulatory complexities and shaping best practices. Therefore, expertise in MiFID II is a crucial requirement for this position.

How will you make an impact?

• Manage, coach, and mentor your regulatory compliance team
• Oversee regulatory compliance initiatives, particularly in relation to MiCAR and other applicable frameworks
• Support Bitvavo’s international growth by assessing and meeting jurisdictional compliance requirements
• Assist the Head of Compliance in tracking new regulations, raising awareness, and driving timely implementation
• Provide regulatory advice and independently challenge your stakeholders across the business
• Lead compliance monitoring, testing processes, and regulatory impact assessments
• Manage interactions with regulators, auditors, industry working groups, and external vendors
• Prepare and manage the compliance committee alongside the Head of Compliance
• Drive periodic and ad-hoc reporting on regulatory compliance activities

How will you be successful?

• University degree in Law or another relevant study
• 5+ years of relevant experience in 2nd line of defence compliance in a fast-paced, dynamic FinTech, broker, exchange, or other financial institution
• 1-3 years of managerial experience
• Comprehensive understanding of MIFID II - knowledge and experience required 
• Knowledge of MICAR is strongly preferred
• Experience in regulatory compliance impact assessment, compliance monitoring and testing processes
• Demonstrated managerial experience (ideally leading/managing a Compliance team)
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, both internally and externally, and both upstream and downstream
• Organised, flexible, and detail-oriented

Nice to haves

• Knowledge of trade surveillance and market abuse requirements
• Knowledge and experience in Data Protection