Head of Risk - Paytm Europe

About Paytm Europe Merchants deserve better from their payments provider: fairer pricing, faster settlement, easier tools, and support from a partner that understands their business. Paytm Europe Payments S.A., is being established in Luxembourg, backed by One97 Communications Limited, one of India's largest fintech groups, with the ambition of transforming how SMEs across Europe accept and manage payments. Following launch in Luxembourg, the business will expand into Germany, the Netherlands and other European markets. Robust governance and intelligent risk management will be fundamental to our long-term success. Role Purpose The Head of Risk will establish and lead Paytm Europe's Risk Management function across Europe. The successful candidate will design, implement and continuously enhance the Company's risk management framework, ensuring that risk management supports strategic decision-making, regulatory compliance and sustainable commercial growth. This is a foundational executive leadership role responsible for embedding a strong risk culture throughout the organisation whilst enabling innovation and business expansion. Key Responsibilities Build the Enterprise Risk Framework - Design and implement Paytm Europe's Risk Management Framework, Risk Appetite Statement and supporting policies. - Develop a consistent methodology for identifying, assessing, monitoring and reporting risks across the organisation. - Ensure the framework remains proportionate, scalable and aligned with CSSF, EBA, DORA and other applicable European regulatory requirements. Risk Governance - Lead the Company's Risk function and act as the second line of defence. - Provide independent challenge to Executive Management and business functions. - Prepare risk reporting for Executive Management, the Board and Board Risk & Compliance Committee. Operational & Technology Risk - Oversee operational, technology, cyber, outsourcing, third-party and resilience risks. - Work closely with Technology and Operations to ensure DORA and operational resilience requirements are embedded by design. - Maintain oversight of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery frameworks. Commercial & Strategic Risk - Support new products, partnerships and market expansion through proactive risk assessment. - Provide commercially pragmatic advice that enables innovation while protecting the organisation. - Review strategic initiatives from an enterprise risk perspective. Risk Monitoring & Reporting - Develop Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), risk dashboards and management reporting. - Maintain the corporate Risk Register and oversee remediation of risk actions. - Coordinate stress testing, scenario analysis and periodic risk assessments. Leadership & Culture - Build and lead a high-performing Risk function. - Promote a strong risk culture through education, engagement and collaboration. - Work closely with Compliance, Financial Crime, Internal Audit and all first-line business functions. Ideal Background The ideal candidate will have significant experience leading Risk Management within a regulated payment institution, electronic money institution, or banking environment. Experience establishing risk frameworks within a growing organisation, together with the ability to balance robust governance with commercial ambition, will be highly valued. We are seeking a builder who enjoys creating capability from first principles rather than simply maintaining an established framework. Essential Experience - Senior risk management experience within a regulated financial services environment. - Strong understanding of Enterprise Risk Management, Operational Risk, IT Risk and Risk Appetite frameworks. - Knowledge of DORA, EBA Guidelines, PSD2/PSD3 and broader European regulatory expectations. - Experience presenting to Boards, regulators and senior executive management. - Excellent stakeholder management and leadership capability. Highly Desirable - Experience supporting a regulatory licence application or launch of a regulated financial institution. - Knowledge of merchant acquiring, payments, Open Banking and embedded finance. - Experience implementing Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) technology platforms. - Professional risk qualifications (IRM, PRM, FRM or equivalent). Personal Attributes Strategic, intellectually curious and commercially pragmatic. An independent thinker with excellent judgement and the confidence to provide constructive challenge where required. A collaborative leader capable of influencing across all levels of the organisation whilst maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. Measures of Success (First 12 Months) - Establish Paytm Europe's Risk Management Framework prior to commercial launch. - Develop and implement the Company's Risk Appetite Statement and Risk Register. - Embed effective risk governance and reporting across all business functions. - Support successful regulatory authorisation and readiness for CSSF supervision. - Establish a strong risk culture that enables sustainable commercial growth. - Build a scalable Risk function capable of supporting Paytm Europe's European expansion. Why This Role Matters Effective risk management will be fundamental to Paytm Europe's ability to innovate, grow and maintain the confidence of regulators, customers, partners and shareholders. The Head of Risk will play a central role in ensuring that robust governance becomes a competitive advantage, enabling Paytm Europe to expand confidently whilst maintaining the highest standards of resilience, accountability and operational excellence.