Compliance Officer - Regulatory

About the role

Flow Traders is seeking an experienced Compliance Officer to join its Regulatory Compliance team based in Amsterdam. This role involves providing expert guidance on the regulatory landscape affecting trading activities within European financial markets and digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and tokenized financial instruments. The successful candidate will be responsible for translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, business-oriented advice, supporting the firm's compliance framework, and ensuring adherence to evolving regulations. The position requires a proactive approach to regulatory change management, close collaboration with internal teams, and effective communication with external regulators and stakeholders. The Compliance Officer will play a key role in helping Flow Traders navigate the regulatory environment, particularly as digital assets and related regulations like MiCAR gain prominence.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Analyze and interpret a broad range of European regulations, including MiFID II / MiFIR, EMIR, MAR, DORA, SSR, IFR / IFD, CRR, and MiCAR, and develop clear, actionable compliance strategies tailored to the firm's trading activities.
• Provide expert advice to the Trading department and other relevant teams on complex regulatory issues, considering trading strategies, market structures, execution methods, types of financial instruments, and operational workflows.
• Lead and support regulatory change initiatives by assessing the impact of new regulations, designing implementation plans, and monitoring ongoing compliance to ensure the firm remains aligned with regulatory expectations.
• Maintain and enhance the firm's regulatory compliance framework, including developing and updating policies, procedures, controls, and risk assessments specific to trading and market activities.
• Offer independent oversight and challenge to new business initiatives, products, and trading practices, ensuring they meet regulatory standards before launch.
• Support the development and expansion of digital asset trading operations, providing guidance on MiCAR and its relationship with existing regulations like MiFID II / MiFIR, and addressing the unique compliance considerations of digital assets.
• Engage proactively with regulators, exchanges, and external bodies by responding to inquiries, participating in inspections, and managing audits to demonstrate the firm's compliance posture.
• Deliver regular updates on regulatory developments through presentations, reports, and training sessions to stakeholders, including senior management, to foster a compliance-aware culture.
• Collaborate closely with the Team Lead of Regulatory Compliance to ensure consistency, share best practices, and implement strategic compliance initiatives effectively.
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory developments to anticipate future compliance requirements and advise the firm accordingly.
• Assist in the development of internal training programs to ensure staff are aware of their compliance responsibilities, especially in relation to new regulations and digital assets.
• Contribute to the firm's overall risk management strategy by identifying potential compliance risks and recommending mitigation measures.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 to 8+ years of relevant experience in regulatory compliance within financial markets, trading firms, or financial services organizations.
• A university degree in Law, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Extensive and demonstrable knowledge of European capital markets regulation, including MiFID II / MiFIR, EMIR, MAR, DORA, SSR, IFR / IFD, CRR, and MiCAR.
• Proven track record in drafting, implementing, and maintaining compliance policies, procedures, and controls tailored to trading activities.
• Experience working directly with regulators, managing regulatory audits, inspections, and inquiries.
• Strong background advising business stakeholders on compliance issues in a global financial or exchange trading environment.
• Deep understanding of financial instruments, trading operations, and market mechanics.
• Experience conducting regulatory impact assessments, compliance risk evaluations, and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Genuine interest in digital assets, blockchain technology, and emerging trends in the digital economy.
• High level of integrity, independence, and sound professional judgment, with the ability to handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of influencing senior stakeholders, challenging assumptions, and clearly explaining complex regulatory issues.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and foster a compliance culture within the organization.

Nice to have

• Prior experience working specifically with digital asset regulations such as MiCAR and understanding of blockchain technology.
• Knowledge of the latest developments in digital assets, DeFi, and tokenized instruments.
• Experience in a trading firm or financial institution with a focus on compliance and regulatory affairs.
• Familiarity with regulatory reporting systems, compliance monitoring tools, and automation solutions.
• Fluency in additional languages beyond English, especially Dutch or other European languages, is a plus.

Skills & tools

• Deep understanding of European financial regulation and compliance frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret complex regulations and assess their impact.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management abilities to influence and educate senior management and operational teams.
• Ability to translate regulatory language into practical business guidance and operational procedures.
• Experience managing regulatory change projects and implementing compliance initiatives.
• Proficiency in using compliance management systems and regulatory reporting tools.
• Up-to-date knowledge of digital assets, blockchain technology, and related regulatory developments.

Practical notes

Flow Traders does not accept unsolicited applications from staffing or recruitment agencies. Any resumes or candidate information submitted without a signed search agreement will be considered free to contact by Flow Traders without restrictions, and no placement fee will be paid if the candidate is hired. The company values confidentiality and professionalism in the recruitment process and encourages qualified candidates to apply directly through official channels.