Head, Regulatory Strategy

About the role

We are looking for a Head of Regulatory Strategy to drive our regulatory market entry and licensing strategy as we expand into new jurisdictions.

This is a growth-focused role responsible for assessing market entry feasibility, identifying the most suitable licensing pathways, and leading applications from planning through to approval. You will work closely with regulators, external advisers and internal stakeholders to turn regulatory requirements into clear execution plans, ensuring licensing milestones are met and supporting the Group’s multi-market expansion.

Key responsibilities

• Regulatory Strategy & Market Entry: Assess licensing feasibility across target jurisdictions and recommend market entry strategies, including licence selection, entry sequencing, passporting arrangements and potential acquisitions of licensed entities.
• Licensing Applications: Lead the preparation, coordination and submission of licence applications, ensuring documentation meets regulatory requirements and submission timelines.
• Regulatory Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact for regulators, managing enquiries, meetings and ongoing communications while building effective regulatory relationships.
• Regulatory Intelligence: Monitor regulatory developments across target markets and assess their potential impact on the Group’s business and expansion plans.
• External Adviser Management: Identify, appoint and manage local regulatory consultants and legal advisers to support licensing strategy and application execution.
• Cross-functional Programme Management: Own the end-to-end market entry programme, coordinating Finance, HR, Legal and Company Secretariat to secure the necessary documentation, resources and approvals within agreed timelines.
• Risk Assessment & Escalation: Evaluate regulatory uncertainties, identify potential delays and entry risks, and provide recommendations to senior management on licensing strategy, market entry timing and whether to proceed with or pause an application.
• Execution & Accountability: Establish clear milestones, assign deliverables and follow up with relevant stakeholders to keep licensing projects on track and accountable for outcomes.

About you

• At least 8 years of experience in financial services regulation, regulatory affairs or licensing.
• Proven experience leading at least one end-to-end licence application and participating in at least two additional applications, with a strong understanding of the application process, timelines and common challenges.
• Familiarity with the regulatory frameworks and licensing requirements of at least three relevant jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated ability to engage directly with regulators and manage regulatory enquiries and discussions independently.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into actionable timelines, resource plans and deliverables.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess risks and make recommendations in situations involving uncertainty or incomplete information.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to drive deliverables across multiple functions.

Nice to Have

• Previous experience working at a financial regulator, subject to applicable post-employment and cooling-off requirements.
• Regulatory affairs or licensing experience within a licensed fintech, payments or other financial services company.