Head of Merchant Expertise – Integrity Risk CoE

Head of Merchant Expertise – Integrity Risk CoE

Worldline

Brussels, Belgium

We are seeking a dynamic a Head of Merchant Expertise – Integrity Risk within the Integrity Risk Unit to design, implement, and continuously improve Worldline’s integrity risk controls across scheme, AML, and KYC domains. Ensure we do not do business with unlawful or fraudulent merchants, protect Worldline’s reputation, and uphold regulatory and internal standards. Provide expert guidance to Risk Ops, Sales, and Management; deliver scalable governance, controls, and assurance across the team.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Strategy & Governance:
  • Define the Merchant Expertise Team vision, strategy, and operating model aligned to the broader Integrity Risk framework;
  • Develop and maintain a cohesive risk taxonomy, risk appetite considerations, and prioritization for merchant-related integrity risks;
  • Establish escalation paths, and reporting cadence to senior leadership and regulators as required.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Lead, coach, and develop your team, ensuring high performance, engagement, and succession planning;
  • Set objectives, performance metrics, and development plans; conduct regular performance reviews;
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the team.
• Operational Excellence & Controls:
  • Oversee integrity risk processes related to merchants (scheme compliance, AML, KYC) and related risk modelling rules;
  • Develop and rollout risk-based controls, monitoring programs, and assurance activities (audits, testing, QA);
  • Ensure robust issue management, root-cause analyses, remediation plans, and closing of control gaps.
• Regulatory & Policy Alignment:
  • Monitor regulatory developments and industry standards; translate requirements into practical policies, procedures, and controls for merchant risk;
  • Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Audit, and Business units to ensure compliant processes and timely regulatory filings or audits.
• Risk Assessment & Reporting:
  • Lead the design and execution of merchant-focused integrity risk assessments, scenario planning, and high-risk merchant segments;
  • Provide timely, accurate, and actionable risk reporting to senior management and, as needed, the board.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Partner with Sales, Risk Ops, Internal Audit, and external partners to align on risk priorities and remediation strategies;
  • Act as subject matter expert for merchant integrity risk; support investigations, remediation efforts, and training.
• Data, Analytics & Technology:
  • Leverage data analytics to monitor indicators, detect anomalies, and measure control effectiveness;
  • Oversee technology solutions (workflow, case management, automation) to scale merchant risk management capabilities.
• Key performance indicators (KPIs):
  • Merchant integrity risk incident response time and closure rate;
  • Effectiveness of merchant-related controls (coverage, testing results);
  • Timeliness and quality of risk reporting to leadership and regulators;
  • Training completion rates and staff competency improvements;
  • Team engagement, retention, and succession readiness;
  • Regulatory findings and audit remediation effectiveness;
  • Operational efficiency and budget adherence for the Merchant Expertise function.

Who Are We Looking For

We look for big thinkers. People who can drive positive change, step up and show what’s next – people with passion, can-do attitude and a hunger to learn and grow.

In practice this means:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Compliance, or related field. Master’s degree or professional certifications (e.g., CAMS, CRCM, CFE) preferred;
• 8-12+ years in integrity risk, AML, KYC, or scheme risk within payments; proven leadership experience managing cross-location teams;
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams in a matrix/global environment;
• Regulatory & stakeholder management: Experience with AML/sanctions frameworks; strong ability to interact with regulators, auditors, and senior executives;
• Analytical & strategic: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic/tactical thinking; data-driven decision making;
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex risk concepts clearly to diverse audiences;
• Collaboration: Effective cross-functional collaboration across Risk Ops, Sales, Legal, Compliance, and IT;
• Tools: Familiarity with risk management platforms, case management systems, data analytics tools, and MS Office. AML/KYC tech stack knowledge a plus;
• Personal: Adaptable in a fast-paced, global environment; culturally aware and capable of managing priorities across time zones.