Head of Licensing & Regulatory Strategy

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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).
• Why this is your place
• This is a unique opportunity to leverage your experience and leadership to make a pr

Benefits

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