A reputable and well-established international group, comprising among others a UK FCA-authorised Electronic Money Institution (EMI), is expanding its footprint in Israel. The UK EMI has applied for a license to become a Payments Company in Israel (as a foreign entity), and its application is currently under review by the Israeli Securities Authority (ISA).

As part of this next phase of development, the UK EMI is seeking to appoint an experienced Compliance Officer in Israel. The Compliance Officer will report functionally to the board-designated compliance oversight function, but will also have direct access to senior management for escalation of regulatory or compliance matters. The role is performed independently of commercial and revenue-generating functions.

Role Overview:

We are seeking a seasoned Compliance Officer to be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the company’s compliance with Israeli payment services regulation, including the Regulation of Payment Services and Payment Initiation Law, 5783-2023, related regulations, and applicable ISA directives and guidance, in respect of the company’s activities vis-à-vis Israeli customers.

The role is intended to ensure full regulatory compliance from the commencement of licensed activity in Israel, notwithstanding that senior management and core operational functions are located outside Israel.

The role covers responsibility for financial crime prevention in Israel (including anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, sanctions compliance and fraud prevention), while also contributing to the wider group compliance framework.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in establishing and embedding a robust financial crime and regulatory compliance framework in Israel. This includes ensuring that the company operates in full alignment with applicable regulatory requirements, both during the licensing stage and once fully operational.

Key Responsibilities:

• During the Payments Company licensing phase:

  • Develop and implement the local entity’s financial crime policies, procedures, and internal control mechanisms in accordance with Israeli regulatory standards, taking into account the group-wide compliance and risk framework.

  • Act as the principal liaison with ISA, coordinating and managing all regulatory communications, and as the locally accountable compliance function for Israel, ensuring effective implementation and oversight of Israeli regulatory requirements within the company’s governance framework.

  • Guide senior management on regulatory requirements, obligations, and best practices.

  • Ensure compliance readiness ahead of operational launch, including completing and refining operational compliance documentation, ensuring consistency with the regulated activities.

  • Assist in configuring internal systems to support effective customer onboarding, risk assessment, and transaction monitoring processes.

• Following the grant of the Payments Company license:

  • Regulatory compliance oversight

• Monitor ongoing compliance with Israeli payment services legislation, secondary regulations, and ISA supervisory requirements.

• Track Israeli regulatory developments and assess their impact on the company’s activities, products, and procedures.

• Regulatory interface

• Serve as the Company’s primary point of contact with the ISA.

• Coordinate responses to regulatory information requests, supervisory inquiries, and follow-up questions.

• Prepare and submit regulatory notifications and reports required under Israeli law, including notifications of material events or incidents.

• Policies and procedures

• Oversee localisation of group-level policies and procedures to ensure alignment with Israeli legal and regulatory requirements.

• Ensure Israeli requirements are explicitly reflected in operational processes relating to Israeli customers.

• Consumer protection and complaints

• Oversee compliance with Israeli consumer-protection obligations applicable to payment services.

• Monitor the handling of Israeli customer complaints, including statutory timelines, documentation and escalation of material or systemic issues.

• Compliance monitoring and change management

• Conduct or coordinate periodic compliance monitoring focused on Israeli regulatory requirements.

• Assess regulatory implications of material changes to products, services, pricing, customer journeys, or outsourcing arrangements, and advise on notification or approval requirements.

Requirements:

• 5-10 years of proven experience in regulatory compliance, legal, or supervisory roles within the financial services sector. Experience in fintech, payments, or other dynamic financial services environments is advantageous.

• Law degree from a top academic institute.

• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CAMS, ICA) are an advantage.

• Demonstrable knowledge of Israeli financial regulation, in particular payment services regulation.

• Familiarity with cross-border regulatory frameworks and interaction between local and group-level compliance structures.

• Excellent communication skills, with sufficient seniority, credibility, and availability to engage effectively with ISA, other regulators, and senior executives.

• Demonstrated ability to design and implement effective compliance frameworks and controls.

• Professional, reliable, pragmatic, dedicated, quick learner, positive, detail-oriented, with a proactive approach to regulatory developments, and an excellent professional and impeccable reputation.

• Fluency in English and Hebrew.

We offer:

• A full-time executive appointment as Compliance Officer in Israel with a competitive remuneration package.

• A unique opportunity to design and lead the Israeli compliance function from inception.

• Direct involvement in the establishment and growth of a newly licensed Israeli fintech business.

• A dynamic, innovation-driven working environment supported by a strong international group.

• A collaborative and international culture that values expertise, independence and initiative.