AML Compliance Director

About the Client
Our client is a leading European crypto-processing company providing payment infrastructure, on/off-ramp solutions, and digital asset services to global merchants. Operating across multiple regulated jurisdictions, the company maintains a strong focus on compliance, governance, and operational resilience. As part of its continued growth, the company is strengthening its leadership team in Estonia and is seeking an AML Compliance Director to join the Executive Board and oversee all financial crime prevention activities in Estonia. 

Role Overview
The AML Compliance Director will act as the senior executive responsible for the design, oversight, and continuous enhancement of the company's AML/CTF framework in Estonia. This role requires deep regulatory expertise, strategic leadership, and hands-on experience in crypto or payments. As a Board Member, the Director will ensure full compliance with Estonian and EU regulatory requirements, maintain strong relationships with supervisory authorities, and drive a robust financial crime prevention culture across the organization.
This is a high-impact executive role, requiring residency in Estonia and fluency in the Estonian language.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the AML/CTF framework for the Estonian entity in full alignment with EU and local regulatory obligations.

• Oversee AML governance across onboarding, monitoring, sanctions screening, risk assessment, and investigations.

• Serve as the main point of contact for the Estonian FIU and other supervisory bodies; manage regulatory communication, inquiries, and inspections.

• Drive strategic readiness for MiCA, including policies, AML components, governance expectations, and ongoing compliance obligations.

• Ensure financial crime controls meet the requirements of crypto-asset services, high-risk client segments, and international standards.

• Lead the development of AML policies, procedures, methodologies, and risk scoring models.

• Supervise KYC, EDD, transaction monitoring, SAR/STR reporting, and quality assurance.

• Build, manage, and mentor the AML/Compliance team; foster a culture of accountability and regulatory discipline.

• Collaborate with Legal, Risk, Product, and Operations to ensure new products and markets meet AML/CTF requirements from day one.

• Represent the AML function in internal committees, strategic discussions, and governance forums.

Requirements

• 7+ years of AML/CTF experience within crypto, fintech, payments, or regulated financial institutions.

• Strong understanding of Estonian and EU AML regulations, FATF guidance, and CASP/MiCA obligations.

• Proven experience interacting with regulators — ideally the Estonian FIU.

• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing AML teams, governance frameworks, and high-risk portfolios.

• Hands-on expertise in crypto compliance, blockchain analytics, transaction monitoring, and risk assessment.

• Native or fluent Estonian language is mandatory; full professional English is required.

• Residency in Estonia (or willingness and eligibility to relocate immediately).

• Relevant professional certifications (CAMS, ICA, CGSS, etc.) are an advantage.

Soft Skills

• High integrity and strong professional ethics.

• Confident communicator with the ability to operate at Board level.

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

• Strategic mindset combined with operational hands-on capability.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, innovative, and regulated crypto environment.

What We Offer

• Executive-level role with Board membership and significant influence on compliance strategy.

• Opportunity to lead AML for a major European crypto-processing company.

• Collaborative environment with strong compliance culture and cross-functional cooperation.

• Competitive executive compensation package.

• Long-term career growth within a scaling, international organization.