Head of Compliance, Bahamas

Who We Are

About the Opportunity

• Serve as a strategic compliance partner to product, trading, technology, and operations teams, enabling compliant growth under the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Act (DARE) and related SCB guidance.
• Translate Bahamian regulatory requirements into practical, scalable controls that support new product launches, market expansion, and operational efficiency.
• Embed compliance considerations into product design, customer onboarding, custody models, market surveillance, and outsourcing arrangements from inception.
• Maintain a solutions-oriented mindset, advising the business on compliant alternatives rather than acting as a purely restrictive control function.
• Provide strategic guidance for new product development and service launches across the Bahamas, ensuring compliant integration and go-to-market strategies, especially for complex financial offerings.

• Develop, implement, and continuously enhance the comprehensive compliance framework, strategy, and programs for the Bahamas region, ensuring full alignment with global compliance standards and all pertinent regulatory requirements, with a strategic focus on market expansion and new product introduction. working knowledge of the Bahamas digital asset regulatory regime, including DARE, SCB Rules, AML/CFT/CPF requirements, and expectations arising from the National Risk Assessment.
• Experience interfacing with the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB), including regulatory submissions, ongoing supervisory engagement, and examination readiness.
• Understanding of cross-border regulatory considerations, including reliance on offshore group functions, outsourcing, and regulatory equivalence or substitution analyses.
• Ability to assess the regulatory impact of new global standards (e.g., FATF Travel Rule, market integrity expectations) on Bahamian operations.

• Spearhead regional markets compliance programs and provide expert compliance advice for Bahamas expansion, particularly focusing on derivatives, digital assets, and other innovative financial products. This includes overseeing local market conduct rules, and ensuring integrity in new market entries.
• Ensure material compliance issues, regulatory developments, and emerging risk trends are escalated to senior management and, where appropriate, the Board or a designated committee.
• Work closely with Legal, Risk, Operations, and Technology within a clear governance and three-lines-of-defense framework.
• Provide clear, defensible compliance opinions to support management decision-making and regulatory engagement.

• Communicate complex regulatory requirements in clear, business-relevant terms to non-compliance stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver targeted compliance training that promotes accountability and ownership across the first line.
• Act as a visible leader in fostering a strong compliance and risk culture aligned with SCB expectations.

• Experience managing or overseeing compliance functions in an offshore or international operating model, including use of service providers and group-level resources.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving regulatory environment typical of digital asset markets.
• Sound judgment, independence, and professionalism, with the confidence to challenge the business constructively when needed.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in senior compliance leadership roles within the financial services industry, (cypto experience a big plus)
• Proven track record of successfully leading, building, and developing high-performing compliance teams in a regional or multi-jurisdictional capacity.
• In-depth, expert-level knowledge of the regulatory landscape in the Bahamas (Securities Commission of The Bahamas, DARE Act).
• Demonstrable experience in effectively managing regulatory relationships, navigating complex examinations, and responding to regulatory inquiries at a senior level.
• Comprehensive understanding of market compliance, AML/CFT program management, economic sanctions compliance, and consumer protection regulations applicable to financial institutions.
• Proven ability to provide pragmatic, business-oriented strategic compliance guidance for business expansion, new product development, and technology-driven initiatives.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package
• L&D programs and Education subsidy for employees' growth and development
• Various team building programs and company events
• Wellness and meal allowances
• Comprehensive healthcare schemes for employees and dependents
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