Head of Compliance

Description At esh, we are not just another bank. We are redefining banking in Israel by building a truly innovative, technology-driven bank from scratch. For us, there is no such thing as "that’s how we’ve always done it." Instead, this is a rare opportunity to initiate, define, and shape the core financial processes of Israel's new bank. We are looking for a Head of Compliance to lead, design, and manage the bank’s compliance function. This role sits at a strategic crossroads, combining deep regulatory expertise with business agility and technological innovation. We are looking for an exceptional professional leader with a broad vision, who will serve as a proactive Business Partner to our Product, Engineering, and Data teams—shaping next-generation financial products and embedding compliance from the drawing board (Compliance by Design). Responsibilities * Lead the bank's compliance function, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF), cross-border risks (FATCA/CRS), and banking & consumer protection regulations. * Identify, assess, and manage compliance risks within a modern digital banking and tech-driven environment. * Serve as the primary liaison and manage ongoing engagements with the Bank of Israel (Banking Supervision Department), the Israel Money Laundering and Terror Financing Prohibition Authority (IMPA), and other relevant authorities. * Provide end-to-end regulatory and compliance guidance from inception (Compliance by Design) for cutting-edge digital products, services, and business processes. * Define, implement, and oversee technological solutions for monitoring, controlling, and automating compliance risk management (RegTech). * Draft, update, and embed institutional policies and procedures, deliver company-wide training programs, and foster a strong culture of compliance and ethics. * Prepare and present regular and ad-hoc reviews and reports to Executive Management, the Board of Directors, and board committees. Requirements * LL.B. degree and an active license to practice law in Israel – Mandatory. * 10+ years of proven experience in compliance and financial regulation, including substantial experience within the banking sector – Mandatory. * In-depth, comprehensive mastery of Bank of Israel Proper Conduct of Banking Business Directives (specifically Directives 308 and 411) and AML/CTF laws – Mandatory. * Proven track record of direct interaction and ongoing engagement with Israeli financial regulators (Bank of Israel, IMPA). * Deep understanding of digital ecosystems, with a natural affinity for technology, data-driven platforms, and financial innovation. * High level of autonomy, leadership skills, and executive communication abilities in both Hebrew and English.