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AFC Compliance Controls and Reviews - Senior Associate Spain
Department:Risk
Location:Madrid
About the opportunity
We are seeking a AFC Compliance Controls & Review Senior Associate to join our team - either based in Madrid or Berlin. This role sits within the Anti-Financial Crime Compliance, Controls, and Reviews (ACCR) team and involves the execution of compliance testing activities in line with the established control framework and control plan. The role offers significant exposure to cross-functional projects and initiatives, close collaboration with key stakeholders across the business, and ongoing learning and development opportunities. The successful candidate will contribute to the continuous enhancement of the ACCR framework by helping to identify and adopt Spanish market best practices to further strengthen the team’s control environment.
In this role, you will:
- Plan, design, and execute independent 2nd Line of Defence (2LoD) AFC controls and testing activities over local processes.
- Assess control effectiveness, identify gaps, and ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
- Prepare clear, high-quality control reports and communicate findings, recommendations, and quality expectations to relevant stakeholders.
- Track and follow up on remediation actions to ensure timely and sustainable issue resolution.
- Contribute to internal, governance, and regulatory reporting, including the annual AFC internal control report.
- Support the review and continuous improvement of the AFC control plan and control methodologies, including procedures and testing materials.
- Ensure alignment and effective collaboration with other 2LoD stakeholders (e.g. Risk, Internal Audit).
- Lead and contribute to AFC and Compliance initiatives and projects in line with the Group Compliance roadmap and overall company strategy.
What you need to be successful:
Background:
- Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, Economics, or a related field.
- 3 to 5 years of experience in advisory, audit, or consulting roles focused on Compliance and Financial Crime Prevention within a CRR-regulated banking institution, fintech, or professional services environment.
- Strong knowledge of European and Spanish regulatory frameworks governing Compliance and Anti-Financial Crime functions.
- Familiarity with Spanish market best practices and standards for Compliance and Financial Crime Prevention work products and deliverables.
- Experience with Compliance and AFC testing, reviews, and control planning, design, and execution.
- Exposure to working in or with regulated financial institutions operating in Spain.
- Postgraduate or professional certifications (e.g. CAMS, CFE, CIA, Certified Compliance Professional) are an advantage.
- Strong ability to identify, assess, and articulate Compliance and AFC risks arising from business activities.
- Proven capability to balance regulatory requirements with business objectives and operational realities.
- Experience working in cross-functional teams with diverse stakeholders and competing priorities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence to challenge constructively.
- Strong alignment with a fintech and start-up environment, demonstrating integrity, reliability, proactivity, and a hands-on mentality.
- Analytical, structured, and detail-oriented, with a strong focus on quality and effectiveness.
- Autonomous, adaptable, and motivated to learn in a fast-paced and evolving regulatory environment.
- Languages: Fluency in English and Spanish is required; German is a plus.
What’s in it for you:
- Accelerate your career growth by joining one of Europe’s most talked about disruptors 🚀.
- Employee benefits that range from a competitive personal development budget, work from home budget, discounts to fitness & wellness memberships, language apps and public transportation.
- As an N26 employee you will have access to a Premium subscription on your personal N26 bank account. As well as subscriptions for friends and family members.
- A high degree of autonomy and access to cutting edge technologies - all while working with a friendly team of peers of diverse nationalities, life experiences and family statuses.
- A relocation package with visa support for those who need it.