Head of Compliance, Japan (Compliance Officer)

Since we opened our doors in 2009, the world of commerce has evolved immensely, and so has Square. After enabling anyone to take payments and never miss a sale, we saw sellers stymied by disparate, outmoded products and tools that wouldn't work together.
So we expanded into software and started building integrated, omnichannel solutions - to help sellers sell online, manage inventory, offer buy now, pay later functionality, book appointments, engage loyal buyers, and hire and pay staff. Across it all, we've embedded financial services tools at the point of sale, so merchants can access a business loan and manage their cash flow in one place. Afterpay furthers our goal to provide omnichannel tools that unlock meaningful value and growth, enabling sellers to capture the next generation shopper, increase order sizes, and compete at a larger scale.
Today, we are a partner to sellers of all sizes - large, enterprise-scale businesses with complex operations, sellers just starting, as well as merchants who began selling with Square and have grown larger over time. As our sellers grow, so do our solutions. There is a massive opportunity in front of us. We're building a significant, meaningful, and lasting business, and we are helping sellers worldwide do the same.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Compliance Officer to join our team in Square Japan. This role will be responsible for ensuring our operations comply with all applicable Japanese regulations, particularly those related to the Ssquare business within Block.
You will lead Square's Compliance Program in Japan, and report to the Head of the Global Regulatory Entities based in the US. You will lead a team, develop a strategy for the Program, oversee our engagements with current and prospective partners, and drive compliance initiatives that have company-wide impact. You will support Block's compliance vision by working together with business stakeholders and other compliance and counsel personnel to guide the compliance program forward. This role can be based anywhere in Japan or in our Tokyo office through a hybrid of in-office and remote working.
You Will

• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance programs aligned with Japanese financial regulations and internal policies
• Analyze and improve on best-practices in various Compliance work streams to identify efficiencies and improve accuracy of decision making
• Liaise with Block's partners and the US team on Compliance initiatives
• Coach and mentor team members with a focus on professional development and upstream thinking
• Work closely with legal and policy to monitor and interpret changes in financial regulations and assess their impact on business operations
• Conduct regular risk assessments in partnership with the Global team
• Review and approve new products, services, and marketing materials from a compliance perspective
• Collaborate with legal counsel on regulatory filings and licensing requirements
• Partner with the training teams to develop and deliver compliance training programs
• Manage relationships with regulatory authorities when necessary and represent the company in regulatory examinations
• Monitor transactions for suspicious activities and ensure proper reporting

You Have

• Native-level Japanese language proficiency and business-level English proficiency
• Bachelor's degree in Law, Business, Finance, or related field
• 10+ years of compliance experience in financial services or fintech industry in Japan
• Deep understanding of Japanese financial regulations, particularly those affecting fintech companies
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT regulations and requirements
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proactive approach to risk identification and mitigation
• Ability to explain complex regulatory requirements to non-technical stakeholders

We're working to build a more inclusive economy where our customers have equal access to opportunity, and we strive to live by these same values in building our workplace. Block is a proud equal opportunity employer. We work hard to evaluate all employees and job applicants consistently, based solely on the core competencies required of the role at hand, and without regard to any legally protected class. We believe in being fair, and are committed to an inclusive interview experience, including providing reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. We encourage applicants to share any needed accommodations with their recruiter, who will treat these requests as confidentially as possible. Want to learn more about what we're doing to build an inclusive workplace? Check out our Inclusion & Diversity page
Use of AI in Our Hiring Process
We may use automated AI tools to evaluate job applications for efficiency and consistency. These tools comply with local regulations, including bias audits, and we handle all personal data in accordance with state and local privacy laws.
Contact us at [email protected] with hiring practice or data usage questions.
Every benefit we offer is designed with one goal: empowering you to do the best work of your career while building the life you want. Remote work, medical insurance, flexible time off, retirement savings plans, and modern family planning are just some of our offering. Check out our other benefits at Block.
Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) builds technology to increase access to the global economy. Each of our brands unlocks different aspects of the economy for more people. Square makes commerce and financial services accessible to sellers. Cash App is the easy way to spend, send, and store money. Afterpay is transforming the way customers manage their spending over time. TIDAL is a music platform that empowers artists to thrive as entrepreneurs. Bitkey is a simple self-custody wallet built for bitcoin. Proto is a suite of bitcoin mining products and services. Together, we're helping build a financial system that is open to everyone.