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Head of Compliance & MLRO
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ABOUT THE ROLE
Our client moves money across borders: payments, FX and international money movement between the UK and high-growth international markets. You'll take full ownership of compliance, reporting to executive leadership, with a mandate to build a modern, AI-forward function where smart tooling does the analytical heavy lifting, and people make the decisions - meeting both FCA and commercial requirements. You'll act as the firm's primary point of contact with the FCA.
WHAT YOU'LL OWN
- The end-to-end compliance and regulatory framework for cross-border payments, FX and international money movement - the core of this role
- Deputy MLRO on joining, progressing to MLRO, with a central role in the firm's UK licensing roadmap
- AML, CFT, sanctions screening, KYC and transaction monitoring across payment flows, payouts and merchant activity
- Regulator engagement, licensing and reporting - FCA, central banks and payment authorities
- Embedding AI and RegTech tooling into compliance operations, so the team makes decisions on top of first-class automated analysis
- Compliant operating models for collections, payouts, FX and cross-border flows in each market
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WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Deep, hands-on cross-border payments and FX compliance experience - this is the core of the role (a background solely in open banking, card processing or crypto custody won't be the right fit)
- MLRO or Deputy MLRO experience at an FCA-authorised firm; current or recent FCA approval (SMF17 and/or SMF16), or immediately eligible
- 8+ years in compliance, regulatory or risk roles within payments, fintech or financial services
- Strong knowledge of UK payments regulation (PSRs, EMRs, PSD2) and hands-on AML/CTF operations
- Experience taking a firm through FCA authorisation or registration
- A risk-based, commercial mindset: you present risks with pragmatic options and help the business decide - a partner to growth in a well-controlled environment
- Genuine, hands-on AI curiosity: you already use AI tools, automations or agents in your workflow (years of AI experience not expected - active usage is)
- UK-based and eligible to work in the UK
- Available to start within 90 days
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NICE TO HAVE
- Stablecoin payments exposure
- Emerging-markets exposure
- ICA Diploma, CCEP or equivalent certification
PACKAGE & BENEFITS
- Base £110,000 – £130,000, depending on experience
- Equity grant - everyone in the business holds ownership
- Remote-friendly working and generous leave, including paid parental, study and long-tenure sabbatical options
- Annual personal learning & development budget
- Health insurance contribution
- Full equipment setup
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