Full-Time
Director – Compliance Monitoring and Oversight
Airwallex
1,001-5,000 employees
Cross-border payments platform for businesses
Compensation Overview
$190k - $290k/yr
New York, NY, USA
In Person
 Legal & Compliance (1) |
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- 12+ years of experience in Compliance Assurance, Internal Audit, or Regulatory Testing within the financial services or fintech sector
- Significant experience managing international teams, with a track record of developing senior talent (e.g., managing managers)
- You can see the big picture. You know how to pivot a monitoring program from a manual, transactional model to a strategic, risk-based assurance model
- Deep understanding of testing methodologies (design effectiveness vs. operating effectiveness), sampling strategies, and root cause analysis
- Exceptional executive presence. You are comfortable presenting "bad news" constructively to C-level executives and driving consensus on remediation
- Experience working across multiple regulatory jurisdictions (e.g., US, UK/EU, APAC) and understanding the nuances of differing regulatory expectations
- Global framework strategy: Own the strategic evolution of the Compliance Monitoring and Oversight framework. You will refine our global methodology for testing, sampling, and reporting to ensure it remains best-in-class and responsive to new regulatory expectations
- Team leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a global team of monitoring specialists. You will foster a culture of curiosity, rigor, and objective challenge
- Annual assurance planning: Design and execute the Annual Compliance Monitoring Plan. You will utilize a dynamic, risk-based approach to prioritize testing activities across high-risk products, jurisdictions, and operational processes
- Insight & reporting: Translate complex testing results into high-impact, actionable intelligence. You will provide regular reporting to the FCC and company leadership, highlighting trends, systemic issues, and remediation progress
- Stakeholder partnership: Act as a strategic partner to Regional MLROs and First Line Operational leads. You will ensure that monitoring findings are constructive, clearly understood, and that remediation plans are practical and effective
- Data-driven assurance: Drive the transition towards continuous monitoring and automated testing. You will champion the use of data analytics to identify risk trends that manual sampling might miss
- Regulatory readiness: Ensure the monitoring program is audit-ready at all times and capable of standing up to scrutiny from top-tier global regulators (e.g., FCA, AUSTRAC, NY DFS, MAS)
- Previous experience in a Big 4 or Internal Audit function is highly desirable
- Experience with SQL, Tableau, or other data visualization tools to drive continuous monitoring initiatives
- Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CIA, CAMS, ICA Diploma in GRC)
Airwallex provides cross-border payment tools for businesses, including multi-currency accounts, international transfers, foreign exchange, and payment gateway services via an API. Businesses use a centralized, API-driven platform to hold multiple currencies, move money internationally, convert currencies at competitive rates, and integrate payments into their apps or websites. It differentiates itself by offering treasury, transfers, FX, and gateway capabilities in one platform designed for businesses, prioritizing speed, security, and cost efficiency. Its goal is to enable seamless, scalable global payments for companies of all sizes and simplify international cash flows.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Series G
Total Funding
$1.6B
Headquarters
Singapore, Singapore
Founded
2015
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Annualized revenue hits $1.3B, growing 85% YoY with $300B volume.
- Southeast Asia revenue surges 108% YoY, fueling Indonesia-Vietnam launches.
- North America and Europe scale 200% YoY, surpassing 40% revenue by 2026.
What critics are saying
- New Zealand regulator scrutinizes AML/CFT compliance, imposing audits now.
- Stripe dominates US with $159B valuation, blocking Airwallex POS gains.
- Adyen undercuts global POS with faster local integrations by mid-2027.
What makes Airwallex unique
- Airwallex holds 90 licenses across 50 markets, enabling fund holding unlike Stripe.
- Global POS accepts in-person payments across countries on single platform.
- Rejected Stripe's $1.2B offer in 2019 to build proprietary payment rails.
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Growth & Insights and Company News
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↓ -1%Airwallex taps Carolyn Renzin to lead global Regulatory and Compliance efforts. The company plans to raise compliance spending this year as it scales regulated operations across multiple markets. Get the hottest Fintech Singapore News once a month in your Inbox Airwallex has named Carolyn Renzin as Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer as it expands across major global markets. Based in New York, Renzin will lead the company's global regulatory and compliance programme. Renzin joins from FanDuel, where she served as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer during a period of rapid growth in the online betting and gaming sector. Prior to that, she spent more than six years at JPMorgan Chase, where she worked on regulatory engagement and compliance remediation following the global financial crisis. Her appointment comes as Airwallex broadens its regulated product suite in the U.S., including the recent launch of Airwallex Yield through its registered broker-dealer, Airwallex Capital US LLC. Airwallex holds more than 85 licences and permits across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. In 2026, it expects to increase compliance spending by 70 percent year on year and grow its dedicated regulatory and compliance team by about 50 percent. Airwallex is also using AI agents to support KYC, KYB, anti-money laundering checks and transaction monitoring. "Our customers are operating across more markets, moving faster, and adopting AI-driven financial workflows that didn't exist two years ago. As we expand the range of financial products and services we offer globally, that velocity and complexity raises the bar for how we manage risk and compliance. Our customers expect us to set that bar, not just meet it. Carolyn's experience building compliance programs at scale, across both traditional banking and high-growth technology, is exactly what this moment requires." said Jack Zhang, Co-founder and CEO, Airwallex. Jeanette Chan will remain Chief Legal Officer and continue to lead Airwallex's global legal strategy, product and commercial counsel, and licensing initiatives. Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Borin via Freepik
Airwallex, a global financial platform, has appointed Carolyn Renzin as Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer. Based in New York, Renzin will lead the company's global regulatory and compliance programme as it expands across the US, Europe, Latin America and other markets. The appointment follows Airwallex's recent launch of Airwallex Yield through its registered broker-dealer. The company holds 85+ licences globally and plans to increase compliance expenditure by 70% year-on-year in 2026, whilst expanding its compliance team by approximately 50%. Renzin brings over 25 years of regulatory and compliance experience, most recently serving as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at FanDuel. She previously spent six years at JPMorgan Chase implementing compliance solutions during post-financial crisis regulatory scrutiny. Airwallex has integrated specialised AI agents to augment KYC, AML and transaction monitoring functions.
Only 10% of EU startups make it to Series A. What are they doing right? Zee April 7, 2026 Less than 10% of VC backed startups in Europe make it to Series A, according to research from Tech Nation, which describes it as one of the toughest transitions in the startup life cycle. Tech Nation, powered by Founders Forum Group and in partnership with Airwallex, has launched The Scaleup Playbook: The Inside Track to Series A. The guide uses insights from more than 300 European tech founders. Those founders include Eléonore Crespo of Pigment, Johannes Reck of GetYourGuide, Murvah Iqbal of HIVED and Hamish Shephard of Bridebook and HelloFresh UK. They explain what changes between Seed and Series A, from product market fit to hiring and financial discipline. Early excitement is not enough because Series A requires solid proof. What really changes between Seed and Series A? At Seed stage, investors often put money behind a story or a vision. At Series A, they expect evidence. Founders need to show that customers want the product and will pay for it. That is product market fit in practice, it doesn't end at theory. Eléonore Crespo, co founder of Pigment, says founders must be honest about what the data tells them. "At Series A, it becomes about showing repeatability. You need to prove that what worked once can work again and again," she says in The Scaleup Playbook. Johannes Reck, co founder and chief executive of GetYourGuide, also speaks about discipline. "Early on, speed is everything. Later, it is about building an organisation that can execute consistently," he says. Investors want to see a company that can grow without breaking. Murvah Iqbal, founder of HIVED, says the bar is higher than many expect. "You have to move from selling a vision to selling results. That means strong metrics, clear unit economics and a team that can deliver," she says. Are founders too optimistic at Seed stage? Optimism helps founders leave secure jobs and build new products, but it can also create blind spots - Hamish Shephard, founder of Bridebook and co founder of HelloFresh UK, says founders often underestimate how much scrutiny comes at Series A. "Seed investors may buy into the dream. Series A investors want to see the engine," he says. Revenue growth, customer retention and cost control all come under review. The Playbook explains that many startups stall because they scale too early. They hire quickly, spend heavily on marketing and enter new markets before they have solid foundations. When growth slows or costs rise, the numbers no longer stack up. Tech Nation says building financial foundations is essential. Founders need a strong view of cash flow, runway and margins. Without that discipline, even a popular product can run out of money before it reaches the next funding round. Is hiring the wrong team holding startups back? People decisions often make or break the jump to Series A. In the early days, small teams move fast and take on many tasks. At Series A, investors expect a leadership team that can manage growth, which often means bringing in experienced operators. Johannes Reck says structure becomes more important as a company grows. "You need clarity on who owns what. Accountability cannot be fuzzy once you are scaling," he says. Murvah Iqbal says culture must evolve. "The mindset shifts from scrappy survival to disciplined execution," she says. That change can be uncomfortable for founders who enjoyed the chaos of the early stage. The Scaleup Playbook also says founders must learn to delegate. Holding on to every decision slows growth and weakens trust within the team. What separates the 10% who make it? According to Tech Nation, the startups that reach Series A share common traits. They prove product market fit with data. They understand their unit economics by building teams that can handle growth. They use fundraising as a milestone, instead of treating it as the end goal. Eléonore Crespo says, "Series A is not a reward for trying hard. It is capital for companies that have shown they can scale." Less than 10% make it through. The number is small and investors only go off of proof. Founders who understand that early give themselves a better chance of turning ambition into a funded Series A reality.
Airwallex has appointed Elana Rubin AM as independent chair of its Australian board and former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Bill English as an independent non-executive director. Both appointments are effective immediately. Rubin brings extensive experience from roles including chair of Afterpay and AustralianSuper, and directorships at Telstra and Mirvac. She currently sits on the Reserve Bank of Australia Governance Board. English, who served as New Zealand's finance minister for eight years before becoming prime minister, was recently appointed chair of Airwallex's New Zealand board. Airwallex serves over 40,000 Australian businesses including Qantas and Canva, facilitating $39 billion in annual payments. The fintech platform, founded in Melbourne in 2015, now operates across 26 offices with over 2,200 employees globally.
Airwallex, a Melbourne-founded fintech firm, has received e-money issuing and Class A licenses from Bank Negara Malaysia, enabling a full commercial launch. The approvals expand on its existing Class B money services business license and registered merchant acquirer status. The expanded permissions allow Airwallex to offer multicurrency accounts, foreign exchange and cross-border payouts through one platform. The company grew its Malaysia team 66% in 2025, plans to double headcount in 2026, and processed over RM2 billion ($494.2 million) in remittance transaction volume in 2025. The approval follows similar licenses granted to B2B payments platform XTransfer and wealth-tech firm iFast, reflecting Malaysia's regulatory push to attract specialised digital financial services for cross-border trading businesses.