Compliance Director - Australia - 6 month FTC

Zodia Custody is an institution-first digital assets platform backed by Standard Chartered, in association with Northern Trust, SBI Holdings, National Australia Bank, and Emirates NBD. Through the combination of its custody, treasury, and settlement solutions, Zodia Custody enables institutional investors around the globe to realise the full potential of the digital assets future – simply, safely, and without compromise. Zodia Custody is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, Central Bank of Ireland, Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, and holds a licence with the Hong Kong Companies Registry.

We are regulation first in everything we do.  Within the Compliance department, we are at the forefront of innovation and alongside our colleagues are engaged in safely developing Business Services to support the fast-structuring crypto-industry.  

We're seeking a dedicated and dynamic Compliance Director to join our team, you will help Zodia Custody in its mission to enable Digital Assets, without compromise.

Key Responsibilities  

• Serve as Australia Compliance Director for Zodia Custody Australia – responsible for leading the development and implementation of Zodia Custody Australia’s compliance framework and regulatory strategy, ensuring adherence with AFSL obligations, ASIC and AUSTRAC requirements, and Zodia group standards.  

• Oversee and drive the AFSL license application process for crypto custody, coordinating with internal stakeholders and leading discussions with regulators. 

• Perform role as Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), and Data Protection Officer (DPO) as per applicable Australia regulatory requirements.  As MLRO for Australia, holds ultimate responsibility for compliance with AML and Sanctions legislation, including submission of suspicious activity reports to AUSTRAC and transaction reporting. 

• Build and maintain a comprehensive compliance and risk framework covering anti-financial crime (AML, Sanctions, Fraud, ABC etc), data privacy, conduct, conflicts of interest, as well as risk management, governance, risk identification and reporting. 

• Work closely with the Group and regional risk and compliance team members on risk and compliance strategy, including supporting on compliance and risk projects, initiatives, and control development. 

• Provide strategic compliance input to support business growth, product development, and market expansion. 

• Lead local risk committees and contribute to board and executive-level risk reporting. 

• Ensure compliance with crypto custody standards, including asset segregation, key management, and operational resilience. 

• Promote a strong compliance and risk aware culture through training, awareness, and staff development.  

• Monitor regulatory developments and emerging risks, advising the business on implications and required actions 

• Senior compliance experience within an Australian AFSL-licensed firm, with direct regulator engagement 

• Deep understanding of the Australian regulatory landscape, including AFSL obligations and ASIC and AUSTRAC requirements and expectations.  

• Proven experience in financial crime roles in the 2nd line of defence, including experience conducting KYC, investigations, and control framework development.  

•  Hands-on approach, comfortable being the first compliance lead in Australia and working into the detail in a fast-paced firm. 

• Strong knowledge of AML/CTF legislation, sanctions regimes, and suspicious matter reporting. 

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including board-level reporting. 

• Digital asset knowledge and experience preferred but not essential 

This is a 6 month, fixed-term contract.

Start date from January 2026.

• Generous annual leave
• Flexible public holidays (can chose whether to work on public holidays and use the leave elsewhere in the year)