Head of Compliance

Location:

Metro Manila, Hybrid

Employment Type:

Full-time, Senior Mid-Level

Company Description

VBank is a digital-centric rural bank on a mission to bring secure, inclusive, and modern financial services to Filipino consumers and MSMEs. VBank is envisioned to become a digital-centric platform for inclusive finance—bridging the gap between everyday consumers, entrepreneurs, and digitally enabled businesses through secure, scalable, and innovative financial services.

Role Overview

The Head of Compliance & Risk Management serves as VBank's principal steward for regulatory compliance and conduct risk. The role ensures independent, enterprise-wide compliance, strong governance, and effective liaison with regulators. The position
reports functionally to the Board (Compliance/Corporate Governance Committee)

and
administratively to the CEO

, preserving independence while enabling day-to-day execution across the Bank.
This role is an interim and will transition to Head of Regulatory and Compliance once the Head of Risk Management is in place.

Key Responsibilities

A. Compliance Governance & Framework

• Own and continuously improve the Compliance Management System aligned to BSP regulations (MORB) and applicable laws.
• Establish the annual Compliance Plan, Compliance Universe, and risk-based monitoring program.
• Define and maintain the policy & manual architecture (policies, standards, procedures, guidelines) and drive timely reviews/approvals.

B. Regulatory Affairs & Examinations

• Serve as primary liaison with
  BSP

,
AMLC

,
PDIC

, and other regulators; manage regulatory correspondence and commitments.
- Lead readiness for BSP onsite/offsite examinations; coordinate management responses and monitor remediation to closure.
- Ensure timely and accurate regulatory reporting and disclosures.

C. AML/CTF & Sanctions (with independence of the function)

• Oversee AML/CTF compliance in coordination with the AML Team; ensure robust CDD/KYC, EDD, screening, transaction monitoring, STR/CTR filings, and ongoing AML training.
• Champion a risk-based approach across onboarding and the high-risk customer lifecycle.

D. Conduct, Consumer Protection & Complaints

• Operationalize
  Financial Consumer Protection

requirements (fair treatment, transparency, suitability, privacy, redress).
- Oversee complaints management, root-cause analysis, and remediation; embed conduct risk KRIs in business scorecards.

E. Technology, Information Security & ICT Risk (2nd line oversight)

• Provide independent compliance oversight for
  Information Security

,
Cyber/Technology Risk

,
BCP/DR

, and
major incident reporting

obligations.
- Ensure alignment with BSP technology & cyber risk expectations and industry standards (e.g., ISO 27001/NIST) and coordinate with Data Privacy.

F. Enterprise Risk & Product Governance

• Partner with Risk (2nd line) to align compliance KRIs/KCIs with the
  ERM

and
RCSA

programs.
- Participate in Product & Change Approval forums to ensure regulatory requirements are embedded from design through rollout (including outsourcing/third-party risk).

G. Third-Party/Outsourcing

• Set compliance requirements for outsourcing and partner arrangements; ensure due diligence, SLA/OLA, monitoring, and exit strategies.

H. Training, Culture & Communication

• Deliver bank-wide compliance and conduct training; run targeted modules for high-risk roles.

• Promote a speak-up culture; publish clear guidance, FAQs, and decision memos. (Plain English over legalese—Tagalog welcome.)

• I. Reporting & Board Engagement

• Provide regular dashboards to the Board/Committees and senior management on compliance health, incidents, issues, and trends.
• Maintain independence while being a pragmatic, solutions-oriented partner to the business.

Metrics to Monitor (KPIs/KRIs)

• Regulatory Timeliness & Quality
• Examination/Audit Health:
• AML/CTF Effectiveness
• Policy Hygiene
• Training & Culture
• Consumer Protection
• Tech/Cyber/ICT Oversight (2nd line)
• Partner & Outsourcing Compliance

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Extensive banking experience (5–10+ years)

with at least
5 years in a senior Compliance/Regulatory role

within a BSP-regulated institution, including direct management of BSP exams.
- Expert policy & manual craftsmanship:

proven track record designing and maintaining end-to-end policy frameworks (policy → standard → SOP → controls → testing → reporting).
- Deep command of Philippine regulatory frameworks:

BSP
MORB

, AMLA/AMLC rules, Financial Consumer Protection, Data Privacy Act, outsourcing/third-party risk, tech/cyber/ICT risk, and payments regulation and guidance.
- Risk Management & Information Security literacy:

understands ERM/RCSA, KRIs/KCIs, issue management, and 2nd-line oversight of ISO 27001/NIST-aligned controls, BCP/DR, incident reporting.
- Regulatory engagement:

confident, credible communicator with regulators; experienced in drafting responses, commitments, and remediation plans.
- Leadership & influence:

builds and leads high-performing teams; influences senior stakeholders; balances independence with practical problem-solving.
- Communication:

exceptional written and verbal skills; can translate regulation into simple, actionable guidance for business teams.
- Start-up mindset & collaboration:

builder mentality (0→1 and 1→N), low-ego, highly collaborative, and
easy to work with

across product, operations, technology, and business units.
- Education:

Bachelor's degree in Law, Accountancy, Finance, Business, Economics, or related field;
advanced degree

preferred.

Nice to Have

• Experience in
  digital banking and fintech partnerships

, and in data-driven compliance tooling (GRC platforms, analytics, workflow automation).
- Background in consumer protection design, UX disclosures, and product-led compliance.

Why VBank

• Mission-driven, tech-forward bank with a mandate for financial inclusion.
• Board-backed independence, direct line to decision-makers, and a build-what-matters culture.
• Chance to design a modern compliance function that's both
  regulator-ready

and
business-savvy

.