Head of Risk

About This Role

Leading and scaling the company's global second line risk management function across its worldwide operations is the core of this senior leadership role. It suits a candidate who can turn risk management into a business enabler by building robust frameworks, clear governance, effective monitoring, and a strong risk culture across a fast-growing fintech.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Airwallex’s global risk management function and framework, spanning risk monitoring, detection, policy development, governance, escalation, and assurance activities across the Group’s worldwide operations
• Create and execute risk strategies, guidelines, performance metrics, and monitoring mechanisms that identify and mitigate vulnerabilities across Airwallex’s existing and future products, while keeping risk management aligned to business priorities and approved risk appetite
• Partner closely with Risk Product, Risk Operations, Engineering, Product, Data Science, Commercial, Operations, Compliance, and other stakeholders to manage risk at the product, portfolio, market, merchant, and entity levels
• Communicate Airwallex’s risk appetite clearly and effectively across the company, helping teams make sound decisions and strengthening consistent adoption of risk standards and accountability
• Collaborate with business, operations, technology, and product leaders to deliver measurable business outcomes while minimising exposure to financial crime, fraud, counterparty, liability, and broader enterprise risks
• Monitor, enhance, and embed the Risk Management Framework so that all global entities operate within acceptable risk tolerance levels and in line with Airwallex’s governance expectations
• Work closely with the Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer, the CEO, and other senior executives on risk, control, governance, and strategic decision-making topics, including escalation of material issues where appropriate
• Advise management on external risk, governance, and regulatory requirements across the markets in which Airwallex operates, and help ensure the company’s risk posture evolves with its global footprint
• Champion a strong and practical risk culture across Airwallex by reinforcing that risk excellence is a competitive advantage and a shared responsibility across the company
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high performing global team of risk professionals, and help build a scalable second line organisation that can support Airwallex’s next phase of growth

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Law, or a related field
• 15+ years of relevant experience in Risk Management, Compliance, Control, or Audit within fintech, payments, remittance, banking, or broader financial services
• Strong experience building or leading risk management frameworks, governance models, and oversight programmes in a complex, multi jurisdiction environment