Compliance Manager

Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world’s money. Min fees. Max ease. Full speed.

As part of our team, you will be helping us create an entirely new network for the world's money. For everyone, everywhere.

We are looking for an experienced Regulatory Compliance Manager to support our upcoming launch and rapid growth in South Africa following the acquisition of our Category 2 Authorized Dealer with Limited Authority (ADLA) license.

Acting as the Deputy MLRO, you will provide critical financial crime prevention oversight and regulatory compliance leadership to ensure our products scale safely and in full compliance with local laws.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the designated Deputy MLRO for Wise South Africa, acting as the primary delegate for the Compliance Lead and taking full responsibility for statutory AML/CFT reporting to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) when required.
• Oversee day-to-day regulatory compliance under our Category 2 ADLA license, ensuring strict adherence to South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Financial Surveillance (FinSurv) regulations and reporting mandates.
• Partner closely with the Compliance Lead, Product, Legal, and Operations teams to finalize pre-launch compliance requirements, operationalize local policies, and support market entry execution.
• Maintain, test, and update local compliance policies, including the South Africa Risk Management and Compliance Programme (RMCP), Sanctions, PEP, and KYC/CDD frameworks, pursuant to emerging South African regulatory developments.
• Support regulatory engagement, managing regulatory returns, handling queries from SARB and FIC, and preparing materials for internal/external audits and regulatory inspections.

Opportunities:

• Be at the heart of establishing Wise's regulatory operations in South Africa from day one under a newly acquired ADLA license.
• Manage both strategic regulatory compliance (SARB ExCon) and high-stakes financial crime prevention (FICA/AML) in a fast-paced fintech environment.
• Collaborate with global compliance, product, and engineering teams while building a strong presence among South African regulators and industry peers.

Requirements:

• 4+ years of experience in Compliance, with a proven track record in compliance management within a South African bank, ADLA, payment institution, or fintech.
• Strong knowledge of South African financial crime prevention regulations (FICA, POCDATARA, POCA) and SARB Exchange Control Regulations.
• Prior experience acting as an MLRO, Deputy MLRO, or senior AML compliance specialist with direct experience filing reports with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).
• Familiarity with SARB FinSurv regulatory reporting and approval processes.
• Recognized compliance certifications (e.g., CAMS, ICA, or Compliance Institute Southern Africa / CISA designation) are highly advantageous.
• Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable advice for Product, Operations, and Executive stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and hands-on manager who thrives in a fast-paced launch environment, capable of managing multiple regulatory workstreams independently.

Additional Information:

• Hybrid working - 3 days in the office and 2 from home
• Working hours - 9am to 6pm