Compliance Operations Lead

Get to know Us:

We are on a mission to revolutionise access to global financial opportunities through digital assets.

Hata, as a licensed digital asset platform that is regulated and supervised by both Securities Commission of Malaysia and the Labuan Financial Services Authority, provides innovative online spot trading to both retail and institutional clients globally to access opportunities in the digital asset space.

Our team is composed of experienced professionals from PwC, Luno, JP Morgan, Nokia, Huawei and Grab. Powered by our mission to provide the safest & most reliable gateway to access digital assets, we adopt a customer-first approach by operating a compliant platform that is safe and easy to use for our customers.

We have big dreams to achieve and providing a safe and easy to use platform for people in our region is merely the first step. If you have big ambitions, help build our new digital asset platform with us.

Get to know the role:

Join Hata as a Compliance Operations Lead and take ownership of our day-to-day compliance operations, ensuring we uphold the highest internal standards and meet Malaysia's regulatory requirements.

We're looking for a proactive leader with exceptional analytical skills and strong written communication abilities to oversee the onboarding, due diligence, and transaction monitoring processes for both retail and corporate investors. In this role, you will guide and mentor the compliance operations team, review and approve complex cases, and work closely with the Compliance Officer to refine processes, manage escalations, and address compliance risks. Your leadership will ensure that our customers and entities remain fully aligned with Hata's compliance framework and regulatory obligations throughout their journey on our platform.

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Semantan (close connectivity with all major public transport systems).

What You'll Be Doing:

Conducting in-depth reviews on customer onboarding cases and ensuring that Hata's KYC processes are applied consistently based on each customers respective risk assessment.

• Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the compliance onboarding, monitoring, and investigations team, ensuring all processes are executed in line with Hata's AML/CFT policies, internal procedures, and regulatory obligations.
• Leading and mentoring the compliance operations associates, providing guidance, training, and support to enhance technical skills, product knowledge, and investigative quality.
• Reviewing complex customer onboarding cases, high-risk KYC/EDD escalations, and significant transaction monitoring alerts, making final recommendations to the Compliance Officer.
• Ensuring quality control across KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring reviews by implementing regular QA checks and providing feedback to the team.
• Managing and prioritising workload to meet internal SLAs and regulatory timelines, including distributing and tracking case assignments to team members.
• Enhancing and refining operational processes by identifying inefficiencies, gaps, or risks, and collaborating with the Compliance Officer to implement improvements.
• Overseeing sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening processes to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely escalation of potential matches.
• Supervising on-chain and off-chain investigations conducted by the team, using tools such as Chainalysis/Elliptic, and ensuring investigative findings are well-documented and compliant with internal and regulatory requirements.
• Reviewing and endorsing Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and ensuring appropriate records and audit trails are maintained for all escalations and filings.
• Serving as the primary point of escalation for operational queries, complex cases, and stakeholder communications relating to compliance operations.
• Coordinating with cross-functional teams (e.g., product, customer support, risk, legal) to resolve compliance-related matters efficiently.
• Supporting compliance projects and audits, including preparing documentation, reporting metrics, and presenting operational performance to the Compliance Officer and Senior Management.
• Staying updated on regulatory changes and industry best practices to proactively update operational procedures and ensure team compliance with evolving standards.

Qualifications:

Individuals with three or more years prior working experience in compliance-related roles who are also passionate about the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies are encouraged to apply. Prior compliance-related experience in a cryptocurrency exchange is not required, but will be a strong plus point.

Ideal candidates will have:

Background:

Completed higher education (degree and onwards).

Two or more years experience in AML, CDD/EDD Review or in a KYC work flow.

Strong English proficiency and writing skills are required.

Strong attention to detail and research/investigative skills are required.

Skills and Experience:

Knowledge of Malaysia's regulatory environment (e.g., SC's Guidelines on Prevention of Money Laundering, Countering Financing of Terrorism, Countering Proliferation Financing and Targeted Financial Sanctions for Reporting Institutions in the Capital Market).

Knowledge of screening and transaction monitoring tools.

While experience is beneficial, we value a strong willingness to learn and adapt.

Familiarity with Google Workspace is a plus.

Adaptability:

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-evolving industry.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Able to handle volume spikes and prioritise work and projects to meet business demands in a timely manner.

Keen applicants should apply directly by emailing [Confidential Information].