Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer
Pleo · Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $120,000 / year
- Copenhagen, Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
Job highlights
- Architect financial crime framework in Fintech.
- Ensure regulatory safety across Europe.
- Advise on high-risk decisions and product launches.
- Mentor junior compliance team members.
- Drive implementation of EU AML Package.
About the role
About Pleo
Messy spend management is tricky business. And tedious processes are a lose-lose situation for all involved, not just finance. At Pleo, we're changing that. We build spend solutions that make managing money seamless, empowering, and surprisingly effective for finance teams and employees alike - with a vision to help all businesses ‘go beyond’.
The word ‘Pleo’ actually means ‘more than you’d expect’, and living by that mantra has been the secret to our success over the last 10 years.
Now, we’re at a pivotal moment in our journey; every move we make has a direct impact on our 40,000+ customers, our business, and our collective success. We need people who take pride in uncovering customer needs, who turn complex problems into simple solutions, challenge the way things are done (respectfully), and always aim high. With great ambitions driving us forward, we can’t say we’ve got this whole thing figured out. And frankly, that’s half the fun! What we can say is that we’re a driven, progressive, and, importantly, a kind bunch of 850+ people from over 100 nationalities, all committed to delivering the future of business spending, together.
The Opportunity
We're looking for a Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer to join our Risk & Compliance (2nd Line of Defense) team at Pleo. In this role, you'll help architect our scalable financial crime framework and be part of a dedicated team ensuring regulatory safety as we scale our operations across Europe through strong oversight and advisory. If you're excited about navigating the complexity of the 2026 EU AML package and are passionate about ensuring compliance-by-design in a high-growth Fintech, then this is the opportunity for you!
What you’ll be doing
As a Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer, your ownership may entail:
- Lead core Group-wide Financial Crime Framework initiatives: Maintain and evolve our Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA) and Policy suite, ensuring they remain dynamic and aligned with EBA guidelines and local regulations.
- Execute 2nd Line Monitoring: Design and conduct thematic reviews of 1st Line processes (Onboarding, Transaction Monitoring, CDD) to test control effectiveness and identify gaps before they become risks.
- Advise on High-Risk Decisions: Act as the primary escalation point for complex cases and provide "check and challenge" on new product launches to ensure we balance commercial goals with regulatory obligations.
- Drive Regulatory Horizon Scanning: Monitor the shifting EMI regulatory landscape (including UK MLRs and EU Directives), translating complex legal changes into actionable business requirements.
- Mentor and Elevate Standards: Provide technical guidance to junior team members, fostering a culture of confidence and regulatory rigour within the FCC function.
What you bring
You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
- A minimum of 6 years in Financial Crime Compliance, with at least 3 years specifically within a 2nd Line of Defense role where you held an oversight capacity.
- A solid understanding of EMI business models, automated transaction monitoring logic, and API-led onboarding flows.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with 1st Line, Product and Ops teams, comfortably delivering constructive challenges to stakeholders when risks exceed our appetite.
- A background holding an ICA Diploma (or equivalent) or ACAMS certification is a plus.
- A passion for solving problems in creative ways, but also the willingness to "roll up your sleeves" and dive into data reconciliation or documentation when the team needs support.
Who you’ll be working with and reporting to
You’ll report to our Group Head of Financial Crime Compliance and work closely with teams in 1st Line Framework, Operations, Product, Engineering and Legal. Our team three in Financial Crime Compliance is highly collaborative and dedicated to protecting Pleo from financial crime risks and ensuring regulatory soundness. You’ll also have the chance to partner with teams across many other departments to ensure success.
How you’ll develop in this role
In your first 12 months at Pleo, you’ll:
- Lead the gap analysis and implementation of the upcoming EU AML Package to drive impact in our cross-border compliance strategy.
- Collaborate with Product and Engineering teams to provide critical oversight and advisory on transaction monitoring thresholds, ensuring our controls remain effective without stifling growth.
- Grow your skills in Strategic Financial Crime Risk Management, moving beyond day-to-day compliance to become a key advisor on long-term regulatory resilience and framework maturity.
Show me the benefits!
- Your own Pleo card (no more out-of-pocket spending!)
- Lunch is on us for your work days - enjoy catered meals or receive a lunch allowance based on your local office 🍜
- Comprehensive private healthcare
- We offer 25 days of holiday + your public holidays
- For our Team, we offer both hybrid and fully remote working options
- Option to purchase 5 additional days of holiday through a salary sacrifice
- We use MyndUp to give our employees access to free mental health and well-being support with great success so far ❤️🩹
- Paid parental leave - we want to make sure that we're supportive of families and help you feel that you don't have to compromise your family due to work 👶
About Your Application
English first. Since it's our company language, please submit your application in English. You’ll be using it a lot if you join us.
A fair look for everyone. Our talent team reads every single application to ensure the process is fair. To keep things running smoothly, we only accept applications through our system—our support team can’t pass on calls or emails.
Diversity drives us. We can only reach our goals if our team reflects the world around us. That starts with you hitting apply, even if you don't tick every single box. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to join us.
Interview at your best. We want you to feel comfortable throughout the process. If you have any accessibility requirements or need a specific format, email belonging@pleo.io. We’ll design a process that works for you.
Your data is safe. When you apply, we process your personal data as a data processor. For more information on how Pleo processes personal data, read our Privacy Policy here.
Applying for multiple roles? Nothing is stopping you, and we assess every role independently. However, we do look for alignment, so make sure you can explain why your interest and experience are right for each specific role.
Reapplying. If you’re applying for the same role again, please wait six months from your last decision before hitting submit.
Key skills/competency
- Financial Crime Compliance
- Risk Assessment
- Regulatory Compliance
- AML Package
- Transaction Monitoring
- CDD
- EMI Business Models
- Product Launches
- Regulatory Horizon Scanning
- Fintech
Skills & topics
- Financial Crime Compliance
- Compliance Officer
- Risk Management
- AML
- Regulatory Compliance
- Fintech
- 2nd Line of Defense
- EU AML Package
- Transaction Monitoring
- CDD
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 6+ years in Financial Crime Compliance, emphasizing 3+ years in a 2nd Line of Defense oversight role.
- Showcase understanding: Detail your experience with EMI business models, transaction monitoring logic, and API onboarding.
- Demonstrate collaboration: Provide examples of how you've constructively challenged stakeholders and advised on risk appetite.
- Highlight certifications: Mention any ICA Diploma or ACAMS certification to strengthen your application.
- Express passion: Convey your problem-solving skills and willingness to "roll up your sleeves" for data and documentation.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is Pleo's approach to financial crime compliance for a Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer?
- Pleo is building a scalable financial crime framework with a strong 2nd Line of Defense. As a Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer, you'll be instrumental in maintaining and evolving the Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment, policy suite, and conducting monitoring reviews. You'll also advise on high-risk decisions and product launches to ensure compliance while balancing commercial goals.
- What specific regulatory knowledge is crucial for the Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer role at Pleo?
- For this role at Pleo, deep knowledge of the upcoming 2026 EU AML package and shifting EMI regulatory landscape, including UK MLRs and EU Directives, is essential. You will be responsible for translating complex legal changes into actionable business requirements.
- How does Pleo support the professional development of its Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officers?
- Pleo offers significant development opportunities. In your first 12 months, you will lead the gap analysis and implementation of the EU AML Package, collaborate with Product and Engineering on transaction monitoring thresholds, and grow your skills in Strategic Financial Crime Risk Management, becoming a key advisor on long-term regulatory resilience.
- What is the expected work arrangement for a Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer at Pleo?
- Pleo offers flexibility with both hybrid and fully remote working options for its team members, including the Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer position.
- What kind of communication and collaboration skills are expected from a Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer at Pleo?
- The Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer must possess strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with 1st Line, Product, and Ops teams. You should be comfortable delivering constructive challenges to stakeholders when risks exceed the company's appetite.
- Does Pleo require specific certifications for the Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer position?
- While a background holding an ICA Diploma (or equivalent) or ACAMS certification is a plus, it is not strictly required. However, demonstrating a solid understanding of Financial Crime Compliance principles and practices is essential.
- How can I best prepare my application for the Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer role at Pleo?
- To best prepare your application for the Senior Financial Crime Compliance Officer role at Pleo, ensure your resume clearly highlights your extensive experience in financial crime compliance, particularly in a 2nd Line of Defense capacity. Emphasize your understanding of regulatory landscapes like the EU AML package and your ability to translate complex requirements into actionable business strategies. Additionally, showcasing your collaborative and problem-solving skills will be beneficial.