US Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Why should you join dLocal?
dLocal enables the biggest companies in the world to collect payments in 40 countries in emerging markets. Global brands rely on us to increase conversion rates and simplify payment expansion effortlessly. As both a payments processor and a merchant of record where we operate, we make it possible for our merchants to make inroads into the world’s fastest-growing, emerging markets.

By joining us you will be a part of an amazing global team that makes it all happen. Being a part of dLocal means working with 1000+ teammates from 30+ different nationalities and developing an international career that impacts millions of people’s daily lives. We are builders, we never run from a challenge, we are customer-centric, and if this sounds like you, we know you will thrive in our team.

What’s the opportunity?
Lead and legally represent the US regulated entity through licensing, launch and early-scale operations, acting as the designated CEO & COO with full accountability for regulatory compliance, operational execution, and local performance.
This role combines executive ownership with hands-on execution: setting strategy, building the operating model from the ground up, and ensuring the entity meets all supervisory expectations across multiple US licences.
You will serve as the primary accountable executive before regulators, the local Board, and Group leadership, while building a lean, high-performing team and embedding scalable, automation-driven processes from day one.

What will I be doing?:
• Regulatory & Governance Leadership
• Act as the designated senior executive and statutory point of accountability with US regulators (State Money Transmission authorities, NMLS, federal agencies, and where relevant digital asset supervisors) and banking partners regarding the U.S. entity, and coordinate with group leadership on significant regulatory matters for the US entity.
• Lead, coach, and develop the senior leadership team, setting clear objectives and accountability.
• Oversight of full compliance with BSA/AML, consumer protection, safeguarding, reporting, and prudential obligations.
• Represent the entity in regulatory inspections, audits, and enforcement discussions, along with the Chief Compliance Officer/BSA Officer.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation, strong governance frameworks, and clear escalation channels to the local Board.
• Maintain strong communication channels with group leadership, ensuring transparency on U.S. performance, risk, issues, and opportunities.​
• Establish and maintain a strong culture of ethics, compliance, customer focus, and operational excellence.
• Executive & Operational Ownership
• Own the US operating model, local strategy, and execution roadmap across payments, money transmission, and digital asset activities, including defining and executing the business plan, and budget in line with local targets and risk appetite.
• Translate global product, technology, and market strategies into U.S.-specific roadmaps, ensuring regulatory and market fit.
• Build and optimize scalable processes, KPIs, and SLAs for core operations, ensuring reliability, speed, and cost efficiency.
• Oversee operational risk management, including fraud prevention, transaction monitoring (in partnership with Compliance), vendor management, and business continuity planning.
• Partner with Product and Technology to improve systems, automation, and controls for money movement, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Hold end-to-end accountability for operational performance, risk management, and control effectiveness.
• Establish governance structures, committees, management reporting, and decision rights aligned with regulatory expectations.
• Lead and scale cross-functional teams across Compliance, Risk, Finance, Treasury, Operations, and Technology.
• Financial and Business Management
• Manage the P&L of the U.S. entity, delivering growth, profitability, and capital efficiency within Board‑approved plans.
• Evaluate and negotiate key US commercial agreements with banking partners, processors, and vendors to ensure sustainable economics and compliant structures.
• Provide timely, accurate reporting and insights to the Board and investors on financial performance, risk, and strategic initiatives.
• Licensing & Expansion
• Lead licensing strategy and execution for new states and new regulated activities.
• Build repeatable, auditable playbooks for regulatory submissions, exams, incident handling, complaints, and ongoing supervisory engagement, including reviewing and approving major compliance policies, risk appetite statements, and remediation initiatives related to money transmission activities.
• Ensure readiness for future inspections and regulatory growth.
• Ensure the company maintains all required state money transmitter licenses, crypto-related licenses (where applicable), registrations, and approvals, in coordination with the Chief Compliance Officer and legal counsel.

What skills do I need?:
• U.S. residency and permanent work eligibility.
• Located in the United States
• 6+ years leadership experience in fintech/payments or regulated financial services, with experience launching or scaling a US money transmitter or a closely related business.
• Strong background in money transmission, remittances, payment processing, e‑wallets, crypto, and/or similar businesses where funds movement and licensing are core.
• Prior experience working closely with U.S. state regulators and/or federal regulators on licensing, exams, and ongoing supervision strongly preferred.
• Prior experience as CEO, COO, General Manager, or equivalent business line leader with P&L responsibility and demonstrated success scaling a regulated financial or payments business.
• Solid understanding of U.S. state money transmitter laws, BSA/AML, OFAC sanctions, KYC/KYB, and applicable consumer protection requirements.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with a Chief Compliance Officer/BSA Officer and legal counsel to design, implement, and enhance compliance programs.
• Familiarity with Board governance and audit-readiness in a regulated context.
• Strong operational execution skills; comfortable building from “zero to one”.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills with Boards, regulators, banks, and strategic partners.
• Spanish proficiency is an advantage.

• Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, engineering, law, or a related discipline required; advanced degree (MBA, JD, or similar) preferred.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CAMS, CRCM, PMP) are a plus, especially where they complement strong compliance and operational leadership.

What do we offer?

Besides the tailored benefits we have for each country, dLocal will help you thrive and go that extra mile by offering you:
- Flexibility: we have flexible schedules and we are driven by performance.
- Fintech industry: work in a dynamic and ever-evolving environment, with plenty to build and boost your creativity.
- Referral bonus program: our internal talents are the best recruiters - refer someone ideal for a role and get rewarded.
- Learning & development: get access to a Premium Coursera subscription.
- Language classes: we provide free English, Spanish, or Portuguese classes.
- Social budget: you'll get a monthly budget to chill out with your team (in person or remotely) and deepen your connections!
- dLocal Houses: want to rent a house to spend one week anywhere in the world coworking with your team? We’ve got your back!

Flexibility in how you work: We focus on impact and productivity over fixed hours. This means our teams have flexible schedules and, depending on your role and location, you will combine self‑managed focus time with moments of in‑person connection in our collaboration hubs.

What happens after you apply?
Our Talent Acquisition team is invested in creating the best candidate experience possible, so don’t worry, you will definitely hear from us. We will review your CV and keep you posted by email at every step of the process!

Also, you can check out our webpage, Linkedin and Youtube for more about dLocal!