Head of Regulated Entities, EMEA

The Head of Regulated Entities, EMEA (HRE) is a critical executive leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight, day-to-day management, and operational governance of WEX’s regulated electronic money institutions (EMIs) across the EMEA region: Optal Financial Europe Limited (OFEL) in Dublin, Ireland, and Optal Financial Limited (OFL) in London, United Kingdom.

Acting as a pivotal liaison to key regulatory authorities, primarily the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the HRE ensures that all entity operations maintain the highest standards of compliance, risk management, and governance. The successful candidate will drive the operational execution of strategic initiatives set by the WEX Group Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and local Boards of Directors.

The successful candidate will drive the operational execution of strategic initiatives set by the WEX Group Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and local Boards of Directors.

In this role, you will be expected to foster operational excellence by adopting modern tools and capabilities, including AI, automation, and advanced analytics, to optimize governance, scale operational resilience frameworks, and drive efficient execution in a multi-jurisdictional, matrixed environment.

“This role has been identified as a Pre-Approval Controlled Function (“PCF”) under the CBI’s Fitness & Probity Standards. Accordingly, OFEL must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that the role holder complies at all times with the Fitness and Probity Standards and all other relevant conduct Standards. Applicants agree to permit OFEL (or its agents) to conduct such due diligence as it deems necessary to satisfy itself on reasonable grounds that you comply with the Fitness and Probity Standards and that you will provide OFEL with all information and/or documentation relating to your qualifications, experience, employment history, financial soundness and other interests that the OFEL requests for that purpose. Whilst an offer of employment can be made, ongoing employment is subject to Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) approval. Within the CBI regulatory framework, this role encompasses the Pre-Approved Control Function designations of PCF-1 (Executive Director), PCF-8 (Chief Executive Officer), and PCF-42 (Chief Operating Officer)."

What’s on offer?

• Highly competitive salary (dependant on experience)
• Annual Company Bonus
• 40-hour week - Monday to Friday, no evenings or weekends
• Hybrid working (1-2 days per week in the Dublin office)
• Pension PRSA - 7% Employer and 3% Employee 
• Private Medical Insurance
• Group Life Assurance
• Employee wellbeing platforms 

Regulatory Governance & Operational Oversight

• Regulatory Liaison: Serve as the primary operational liaison point for regulators, particularly the CBI and FCA, ensuring full alignment with regulatory expectations and statutory obligations across OFEL and OFL.
• Compliance & Governance Alignment: Ensure all regional operations comply strictly with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks, partnering closely with the Heads of Risk & Compliance to maintain and advance robust governance and oversight models.
• Operational Resilience Framework: Accountable for the Operational Resilience Frameworks of OFEL and OFL, including the operational resilience of critical third-party and internal service providers; provide specialist guidance to the OFEL and OFL Boards.
• Outsourcing Oversight: Maintain full accountability for the management, oversight, and performance monitoring of services delivered via internal Outsourced Service Providers (OSPs) and external vendors. Supervise the Outsourced Service Implementation Manager in carrying out day-to-day operational delivery oversight.
• IT & Technology Supervision: Direct oversight of all IT-related operational matters, ensuring systemic stability, data security, and seamless service delivery.
• Individual Accountability Framework (IAF): Take direct responsibility for the annual certification and ongoing oversight of all relevant employees under the CBI’s IAF regime.

Strategic Leadership, Innovation & Business Partnership

• Executive Alignment & Strategy: Implement strategic priorities and key initiatives defined by the WEX Group ELT and the OFEL/OFL Boards of Directors.
• Financial & Resource Management: Partner with OFEL and OFL Finance Directors to manage Ireland- and UK-based personnel and operational expenditure within agreed budgets and target metrics.
• AI & Process Innovation: Identify and leverage modern digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs), and automated reporting platforms, to modernize regulatory operations, streamline oversight of outsourced providers, and enhance data-driven decision-making.
• Board Communication: Communicate proactively and transparently with the Group ELT and local Boards of Directors, keeping them informed of business performance, emerging risks, regulatory changes, and strategic recommendations.
• Partner & Key Stakeholder Management: Maintain and nurture key strategic relationships at local and Group levels with critical commercial and ecosystem partners (e.g., Mastercard, eNett, and banking partners).
• People Leadership & Coaching: Provide guidance, mentorship, performance management, and continuous development for all Ireland- and UK-based staff across the regulated entities.

• Progressive leadership experience in operations (IT ops, outsourcing, general management), legal, compliance, or risk management within a regulated financial services environment (EMIs or Payment Institutions strongly preferred).
• Proven track record of executive leadership within a regulated payments or card issuing environment, including practical operational knowledge of card scheme operations.
• Extensive hands-on experience managing Outsourced Service Providers (OSPs) in compliance with FCA, EBA, and CBI outsourcing guidelines and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated success supporting complex projects and navigating governance within a matrixed, multinational public organization.
• Bachelor’s degree/Diploma in Management, Economics, Law, IT, or equivalent senior professional experience.

Skills and Competencies

• Deep commercial and structural understanding of the B2B e-money, card issuing, and payments landscape in Europe and the UK.
• Technology & AI Fluency: A proactive mindset towards adopting and championing modern technology tools (e.g., Gemini, AI-driven workflow engines, data visualization toolsets) to automate operational routines, improve resilience metrics, and elevate reporting quality.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with proven ability to communicate complex operational and regulatory challenges to Board-level executives and international leadership.
• Broad knowledge of international laws, regulatory expectations, and corporate governance standards applicable to multinational financial institutions.

• Residency & Authorizations: Must be an Irish resident legally authorized to work in Ireland to fulfill CBI regulatory expectations.
• Regulatory Approvals: This position is a Pre-Approved Control Function (PCF) role subject to formal approval by the Central Bank of Ireland’s (CBI) Fitness and Probity team, as well as an EMD role subject to FCA approval.
• Fitness & Probity Standards: Must formally agree in writing to comply with and abide by the CBI’s Fitness and Probity Standards (including Common Conduct Standards and Additional Conduct Standards), the OFEL Individual Accountability Framework (IAF), and the WEX International Fitness & Probity Policy.
• Conflict Management: Strict adherence to WEX policies concerning conflicts of interest, including proactive identification, prevention, and resolution of real or perceived conflicts.
• Comprehensive Governance & Handover: Ensure absolute operational oversight over assigned business areas, maintaining detailed, orderly handover protocols and documentation for any role changes under your responsibility to guarantee business continuity and compliance.

What's next?

If you feel that you have the necessary skills to be our Head of Regulated Entities, EMEA then please APPLY TODAY for immediate consideration.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

Due to the volume of applications received, unfortunately it is not possible to respond to each one individually, applicants that are shortlisted will be contacted within one week of application.

We do not accept speculative agency CVs. Any CV received by WEX will be treated as a gift and will not be eligible for an agency fee. PSL agencies should only send CVs if authorised to do so by the Talent Acquisition team.