Head of Risk & Compliance

About the job

At Peaks we build financial products people can trust: simple, transparent, and accessible. We believe investing should be for everyone. But scaling responsibly requires a strong backbone.

After having built our Risk & Compliance framework in the last seven years, our current Head of R&C is moving with her family to Sweden. 

Therefore we are now looking for a new entrepreneurial Risk & Compliance leader to step in, take ownership and keep us ahead of the regulatory curve. 

That’s where you come in. As our new Head of Risk & Compliance, you are not a gatekeeper: you are the strategic partner of the Management Board of Peaks and directly report to the CEO. You are the one who helps Peaks grow fast in a controlled manner without breaking the things that matter

We’re Peaks, a fast-growing and innovative Dutch fintech scale-up on a mission to make investing simple, accessible, and empowering for everyone. Since launching our app in 2017, we’ve grown into one of the largest investment platforms in the Netherlands and Germany, proudly serving over 100,000 customers.

Behind our success is a dynamic and ambitious team of 50 talented professionals working together to change the future of investing.

Peaks is a licensed Mifid II investment firm and Payment Service Provider, supervised by both AFM and DNB. 

About you

You are the guardian of our risk framework and compliance culture within Peaks. You lead the way in navigating the complex world of MiFID II, PSDII, Wft, AML and related regulations — while building a culture where doing the right thing is second nature. You lead a strong and efficient R&C team that looks for solutions, not obstacles. With oversight of European and local regulatory developments, you ensure Peaks:

• Remains compliant

• Stays in control of operational, regulatory and IT risks

• Embeds Risk & Compliance in every stage of product development

• Make risk awareness and compliance part of how we think and build.

• Lead and develop the Risk & Compliance team (4 Fte);

• Shape and evolve our risk management framework (SIRA/BRA/ICARAP);

• Enhance integrity within the company; 

• Translate regulatory requirements into scalable policies and processes;

• Balance strict regulatory standards with seamless user experience;

• Guide the business on risk appetite, controls, limits and reporting;

• Own regulatory change management & oversight (Wft, MiFID II, GDPR, AML/KYC, EAA, etc.)

• Advise the management board on risk appetite and strategic decisions;

• Advise the marketing and product teams on compliance and operational risks;

• Oversee CDD (KYC/AML) and transaction monitoring;

• Act as primary contact for our supervisors and external legal and internal audit partners. 

• Lead internal regulatory reporting. 

You bring clarity to complexity. You are experienced, decisive, and pragmatic. You have:

• 8+ years experience in financial services risk & compliance (investment firms preferred) and certified as a Risk and Compliance professional;.

• Proven experience in building risk and compliance frameworks, license applications and engaging with regulators;

• A ‘getting things done’-mentality, hands-on mindset and the persistence to follow through;

• A solution-oriented approach: you don’t stop at identifying risks;

• Strong communication skills;

• A sharp analytical mindset;

• Leadership skills: you inform, motivate, mentor, and create accountability;

• Strong verbal and written skills in both Dutch and English.

At Peaks, you truly make an impact. You work across all departments and sit at the table with the Management Team where decisions are made. No endless discussions — we move forward together. You will join an international team in Amsterdam and work in an environment that values speed, ownership and clarity. No week is the same in this fast changing environment, meaning you get challenged and can use your flexibility to adapt quickly. You will experience a unique working environment:

• Meaningful work in a values-driven company;

• Autonomy & trust: we value impact over hours;

• Flat hierarchies;

• Growth opportunities.

If this excites you and you care about doing things right (and helping others do the same), let’s talk. Apply with your CV and a short note about why this role excites you.

The chance to shape the future of a growing investment platform and in addition: 

• A competitive salary;

• Participation in the Peaks Employee Stock Ownership Program;

• 30 holidays per year;

• Participation in the Peaks pension plan;

• An office in the heart of Amsterdam (Leidsestraat);

• A talented and international team;

• A flat organisation with a practical, no-nonsense culture;

• Plenty of social activities and team events;

• The opportunity to grow fast within an ambitious, results-driven fintech scale-up.

We’re here to tackle one of Europe’s biggest challenges: democratising wealth by shaping the future of investing. That requires bold ambition and controlled risk-taking. If you thrive in a regulated environment and enjoy finding innovative ways to move forward responsibly, we’d love to meet you.