Payments Compliance & Licensing Manager

About Us

Blinq Payment Technologies is a pioneering fintech startup on a mission to democratize finance for SMEs across the region. We leverage cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships to streamline and automate financial services, empowering consumers, business owners, and companies to effortlessly manage their finances, optimize operations, and achieve greater financial success.

Role Summary

We are hiring a Payments Compliance & Licensing Manager to lead two critical mid-term priorities for the group:

1. Obtain MPI (Major Payment Institution) licence in Singapore, and
2. Build and operationalise Issuing & Acquiring compliance frameworks to support regional payment products.

This role will act as the central execution owner across licensing, regulatory engagement, internal readiness, and cross-functional coordination (Product, Tech, Ops, Legal, Finance). The role is hands-on, delivery-oriented, and requires strong regulatory fluency in payments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Singapore MPI Licence (Primary Mid-Term Goal)

• Lead end-to-end MPI licence application with MAS, including:
• Licence strategy (scope, regulated activities, thresholds)
• Gap analysis against MAS requirements
• Preparation of application documents, policies, and supporting materials
• Coordinate internal stakeholders to ensure readiness across:
• Governance, risk management, AML/CFT
• Safeguarding of customer funds
• Technology, operations, outsourcing arrangements
• Act as the main point of contact with regulators, advisors, and consultants.
• Track licensing milestones, risks, and dependencies; escalate proactively.

2. Issuing & Acquiring Compliance (Primary Mid-Term Goal)

• Design and implement compliance frameworks for:
• Card issuing (e.g. BIN sponsorship, card lifecycle controls)
• Merchant acquiring (onboarding, underwriting, monitoring)
• Align internal processes with:
• Network rules (Visa / Mastercard)
• Regulatory expectations (MAS and relevant regional regulators)
• Work closely with Product & Tech to ensure compliance is embedded into:
• Product design
• Transaction flows
• Control points and audit trails
• Support partner due diligence (banks, processors, schemes).

3. Governance, Policies & Controls

• Draft, review, and maintain core payments policies, including:
• AML/CFT, risk assessment, safeguarding, complaints handling
• Outsourcing and third-party risk
• Establish internal control checklists and readiness packs for audits and reviews.
• Support internal training and awareness on payments compliance topics.

4. Cross-Functional & Regional Coordination

• Act as a bridge between Malaysia execution teams and Singapore regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate inputs from Legal, Finance, Ops, Tech, and external advisors.
• Provide clear updates to senior management on progress, risks, and decisions required.

Requirements

Experience

• 610+ years of experience in payments compliance, licensing, or regulatory roles
• Direct experience with MAS regulations strongly preferred
• Hands-on exposure to Issuing and/or Acquiring (bank, fintech, processor, scheme, or sponsor bank)
• Experience managing licence applications, regulatory submissions, or audits

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of:
• Payment Services Act (PSA)
• MPI licence requirements
• AML/CFT in payments context
• Able to translate regulatory requirements into practical execution
• Strong stakeholder management and documentation skills
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and fast-moving environments