Chief Compliance Officer, Vietnam

The Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) serves as the senior compliance leader and independent second line of defense for the Vietnam business. The role is responsible for providing effective oversight, challenge, and advisory support to business management while ensuring adherence to applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies, and ethical standards.

As a member of the leadership team, the CCO will lead the transformation of the compliance function, enhance regulatory engagement, strengthen risk governance, and drive a culture of integrity and accountability across the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Compliance Leadership & Governance

• Lead and manage the Compliance function as an independent second line of defense.
• Provide oversight and challenge to management regarding the identification, assessment, management, monitoring, and reporting of compliance risks.
• Ensure effective governance, escalation, and reporting mechanisms are maintained across the organization.
• Promote ethical business conduct and foster a strong culture of compliance throughout the organization.
• Build and develop a high-performing compliance team capable of supporting business growth and regulatory expectations.

2. Compliance Transformation & Digital Innovation

• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for the modernization and transformation of the Compliance function.
• Drive the adoption of technology-enabled compliance solutions, including automation, analytics, and digital monitoring capabilities.
• Lead process optimization initiatives to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability of compliance activities.
• Contribute to regional and global compliance transformation programs, sharing best practices and innovation initiatives.

3. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure the organization maintains compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, regulatory guidance, and industry standards.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of compliance programs, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor evolving regulatory developments and assess their impact on business operations.
• Lead compliance risk assessments, monitoring activities, testing programs, issue management, remediation tracking, and regulatory change management initiatives.
• Provide timely and practical advice to business stakeholders on compliance-related matters.

4. Regulatory Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary compliance liaison with regulatory authorities, including the Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies.
• Coordinate and manage regulatory inspections, reviews, and examinations.
• Maintain constructive and transparent relationships with regulators.
• Advise senior leadership on regulatory expectations, emerging risks, and remediation priorities.

5. Strategic Advisory to Senior Management

• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on compliance, conduct, fraud, privacy, and regulatory matters.
• Translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable business strategies and operational solutions.
• Support strategic decision-making by evaluating regulatory implications and compliance risks.
• Escalate significant compliance issues to local and regional stakeholders when appropriate.

6. Stakeholder Management & Regional Collaboration

• Build strong partnerships across business units, risk functions, and corporate teams.
• Collaborate closely with regional compliance leadership to ensure consistency and alignment with enterprise standards.
• Influence key stakeholders to strengthen accountability for compliance risk management.
• Support the implementation of regional and global compliance initiatives within the local market.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Technical Expertise

The successful candidate will possess:

• Deep knowledge of financial services regulatory frameworks, with strong expertise in the life insurance sector.
• Comprehensive understanding of Vietnam insurance regulations and international compliance standards.
• Strong experience in compliance risk management, conduct risk, fraud risk, privacy, and governance frameworks.
• Proven ability to provide independent oversight, effective challenge, and commercially practical compliance advice.
• Experience managing regulatory examinations and regulatory relationships.
• Strong understanding of compliance monitoring, testing, issue management, remediation, and reporting processes.
• Knowledge of compliance technology, data analytics, automation, and emerging digital risk management tools.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong business and regulatory acumen.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong executive presence and communication capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational transformation and change.
• Proven people leadership experience, including talent development, succession planning, and team coaching.
• Highly resilient, proactive, and capable of operating in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Fluency in both Vietnamese and English (written and spoken).

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Law, Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in compliance, legal, regulatory, or risk management roles within financial services.
• Significant leadership experience in a senior compliance position with enterprise-wide accountability.
• Demonstrated expertise in life insurance products, distribution models, and regulatory requirements.
• Extensive experience engaging with regulators and advising executive management.
• Successful track record of strengthening compliance frameworks and leading compliance transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing teams within complex, highly regulated organizations.
• Exposure to compliance technology, automation, artificial intelligence, or advanced analytics solutions is highly desirable.