Head of Licensing & Regulatory Strategy

About us

Satispay began by rethinking the simple act of a payment to remove the friction from our daily routines. But we didn't stop there. Today, we are building a complete financial platform designed to empower people and concretely improve their lives.

By giving our 6 million users a clear, open path to pay, save, and invest, we are evolving into the definitive destination for every financial need. Joining our team means stepping into a critical role with the authority and responsibility to drive significant business outcomes and shape the strategic trajectory of the company and the industry.

We are powered by a culture of ownership, relentless execution, and strategic foresight. We are brave in our approach, making courageous decisions and tackling challenges head-on, underpinned by a deep sense of responsibility for sustainable, ethical, and long-term success.

What you'll be doing

As our Head of Licensing & Regulatory Strategy, you’ll play a key role in architecting and owning our multi-jurisdictional FinTech regulatory strategy across multiple product lines to fuel our international expansion. This is not just a project management role for a single licence application; this is a permanent, strategic leadership position. You will build the foundation for our international expansion by defining the optimal path to authorisation in new markets. In this role, embodying ownership and a commitment to craving impact, you will be expected to deliver significant results by:

• Strategy & Roadmap - Define the licensing strategy per product line (banking, payments, securities, crypto), recommend the fastest viable path, conduct regulatory feasibility assessments, and turn regulatory updates (CCD2, PSD3, MiCAR phase 2, CRD VI, DORA) into competitive advantages.

• End-to-End License Execution - Own every new license application and extension from initial assessment to final authorization, manage EEA passporting, coordinate cross-functional inputs, and build repeatable playbooks.

• Regulatory Relationships - Build trust-based relationships with financial regulators as the primary point of contact, engaging them proactively on product innovation.

• Internal Advisory - Act as the strategic advisor for the Product, Strategy, and Executive teams on regulatory capabilities, direct external advisors, and brief the Board and ExCo on pipeline risks and options.

• Operations - Own and maintain the licensing register (authorizations, conditions, passporting map, pending applications) and the regulatory calendar, ensuring all license conditions are met across the organization.

You will lead and mentor high-performing teams, collaborate closely with peers with structured communication and transparency, demonstrating a commitment to integrity and ownership.

Who we're looking for

We are seeking a proven leader with a distinguished track record of success in driving strategic initiatives and achieving significant business growth within relevant sectors. You will lead by example, combining ambition with purpose, drive impactful results and cultivate ownership and continuous improvement in our dynamic environment.

• Fintech & Leadership Experience - You bring 8+ years in regulatory affairs, licensing, legal, or compliance in financial services, with 3+ years specifically in fintech, alongside experience building or managing growing teams and advising C-level founders.

• Multi-Framework & Multi-Jurisdictional Expertise - You have hands-on experience navigating the intersections of at least two regulatory frameworks (CRD/CRR, PSD2/PSD3, MiFID II, MiCAR) and have managed a complex portfolio of overlapping licenses and host-authority dynamics.

• Regulator-Facing Credibility - You have a proven track record of presenting to and negotiating with European NCAs (e.g., CSSF, BaFin, Bank of Italy, FCA), confidently leading the room.

• Entrepreneurial Mindset & Strategic Vision - You view regulation as an enabler rather than a blocker, find creative paths to drive outcomes, and understand how licensing paths impact group capital, substance requirements, and cross-border governance.

• Domain Strengths (Strong-to-have) - Experience with EMI-to-bank upgrades, passporting across multiple EEA jurisdictions, acquiring/card scheme knowledge (Visa, Mastercard, PayFac, BIN sponsorship), and engaging regulators on product innovation.

• Core Attributes & Languages - You are a pragmatic problem-solver who thrives in ambiguity and grey zones, a natural relationship builder, and fully fluent in English (Italian is a nice-to-have).

We recognise that exceptional leadership comes in many forms. If you believe you have the vision, experience, and drive to help us shape the future of money, we encourage you to apply. We value the unique perspectives and strengths that exceptional leaders bring, even if their experience doesn't align with every listed requirement.

Why this is your place

This is a unique opportunity to leverage your experience and leadership to make a profound impact on a company poised for significant future growth. We operate on a principle of reciprocity: significant strategic impacts are met with meaningful rewards and opportunities.

• Drive transformative impact. Lead critical functions and initiatives that directly contribute to our mission and impact millions of users and businesses.

• Operate in high-growth. Thrive in a dynamic, fast-moving environment that demands bravery, resilience, and rapid, decisive action at scale. Experience the excitement of navigating growth where change is constant and the customer base/services are rapidly expanding.

• Significant equity participation. Directly share in Satispay's success through a competitive Stock Option Plan designed to reward leadership and contribution to company growth and raise the bar for collective success.

• Lead exceptional teams. Build, mentor, and collaborate with high-performing teams in a culture of ownership, collective success, and continuous improvement fueled by feedback. You will learn from the best and lead alongside founders who are hands-on.

CareAbout: how we support your impact

We move fast, and evolution never stops. It’s a fun ride, but it can be challenging. To make sure our people truly thrive, we’re committed to making their lives easier, both in the office and out in the world. That’s why we created CareAbout:

• ❤️ Health (Private insurance for you and your family, psychological support with Serenis, mental health workshops)

• 💰 Financial resources (Stock Option Plan, Meal vouchers, Relocation support if you’re moving countries)

• ⚙️ Growth and development (Professional development programs, Internal mobility, Language courses with Preply)

• 🌱 Flexibility (Unlimited PTO, Hybrid working policy*, Flexible working hours)

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Family (Enhanced parental leave, Additional leave for child sickness)

*We embrace three days per week in-office (Tuesday and Thursday + 1 of your choice), with the option to request extra remote time.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Satispay, we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and inclusion, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds. This opportunity is open to everyone, regardless - for instance - of race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and national origin. Join us in a workplace where everyone belongs!

Learn more about us

Our values and pillars aren’t just fancy words on a page - they really shape everything we do. Explore them here https://www.satispay.com/en-it/company/values/.

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