Merchant Network Compliance Strategist

Block is one company built from many blocks, all united by the same purpose of economic empowerment. The blocks that form our foundational teams - People, Finance, Counsel, Hardware, Information Security, Platform Infrastructure Engineering, and more - provide support and guidance at the corporate level. They work across business groups and around the globe, spanning time zones and disciplines to develop inclusive People policies, forecast finances, give legal counsel, safeguard systems, nurture new initiatives, and more. Every challenge creates possibilities, and we need different perspectives to see them all. Bring yours to Block.
The Role
Block's Merchant Network & Compliance (MNC) team is seeking a strategic compliance leader to help shape and strengthen our global merchant network ecosystem. As a Compliance Strategist, you'll sit at the intersection of risk, product, and innovation - ensuring we maintain strong partnerships with payment networks and acquiring partners while enabling responsible growth across Square, Cash App, Afterpay, and the broader Block ecosystem.
This is not a traditional oversight position. You'll drive systemic improvements, build long-term resilience, and design scalable solutions that address risk at its core. Your work will directly influence how compliance is embedded, operationalized, and evolved across the business.
If you're energized by the opportunity to transform compliance into a strategic enabler - not just a control function - this role offers meaningful impact, enterprise-wide visibility, and the chance to help define the next generation of compliance at Block.
You Will

• Identify and close systemic compliance gaps across merchant network programs
• Lead enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthen controls and reduce recurring risk
• Align compliance standards across multiple Block platforms to ensure consistency and scalability
• Partner with engineering to build automation, monitoring, and detection solutions
• Lead and elevate vendor partnerships to advance risk detection, innovation, and overall compliance capabilities.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on payment network rules and complex regulatory interpretations
• Advise senior stakeholders on strategic compliance decisions
• Represent Block in industry forums and regulatory discussions
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across compliance, legal, risk, product, and engineering
• Lead change initiatives that modernize how compliance operates across the ecosystem

You Have

• 5+ years of compliance experience in financial services or payments
• Deep familiarity with payment network rules and partner obligations
• Strong understanding of financial services risk, including exposure to AML, sanctions, and broader financial crimes frameworks
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and driving enterprise-wide improvements
• A track record of building credibility with internal teams and external partners
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate insight into action
• Excellent communication skills and executive presence
• Comfort operating independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• A proactive, ownership-driven mindset

Industry certifications (CAMS, CFE, CFCS, CRCM) are a plus
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 an equal opportunity employer evaluating all employees and job applicants without regard to identity or any legally protected class. We will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and "fair chance" ordinances.
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 a workplace that is fair and square? Check out our I+D page .
While there is no specific deadline to apply for this role, U.S. roles are typically open for an average of 55 days before being filled by a successful candidate. Please refer to the date listed at the top of this job page for when this role was first posted.
Block takes a market-based approach to pay, and pay may vary depending on your location. U.S. locations are categorized into one of four zones based on a cost of labor index for that geographic area. The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future.
To find a location's zone designation, please refer to this resource . If a location of interest is not listed, please speak with a recruiter for additional information.
Zone A:
$129,000 - $193,600 USD
Zone B:
$119,900 - $179,900 USD
Zone C:
$113,600 - $170,400 USD
Zone D:
$103,200 - $154,800 USD
Application Guidelines
Candidates may submit up to 9 active applications within a 60-day period. Reapplications to the same role are accepted 90 days after a previous application has been reviewed.
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 here 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.