Actus Search
Head of Compliance/MLRO
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Head of Compliance / MLRO – Payments Fintech
London – Victoria | 5 days in office
We are partnering with a high-growth, venture-backed payments fintech to appoint a first Head of Compliance / MLRO.
This is a rare opportunity to join an ambitious technology business at a pivotal stage of its growth, taking ownership of its EMI licence application and building the compliance and financial crime framework from the ground up.
Reporting closely to the founders and senior leadership team, you will operate as SMF17/MLRO and have significant influence over the company's regulatory strategy as it continues to develop its payments offering.
The Role:
You will be responsible for:
- Taking ownership of the EMI licence application through to approval
- Acting as SMF17 and MLRO
- Managing the relationship and ongoing engagement with the FCA
- Building the compliance and financial crime framework from scratch
- Developing proportionate policies, procedures, controls and governance
- Establishing effective AML, KYC, transaction monitoring and financial crime controls
- Working closely with product and technology teams to embed compliance into new products and customer journeys
- Providing pragmatic regulatory advice to founders and senior leadership
- Establishing compliance monitoring, reporting and oversight
- Supporting future regulatory applications as the business expands
- Helping shape the future compliance function as the company scales
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
We are looking for an experienced compliance leader who can demonstrate:
- Hands-on experience securing or materially progressing an EMI licence
- Strong knowledge of UK payments, electronic money and financial crime regulation
- The experience and credibility required to operate as SMF17/MLRO
- Direct experience engaging with the FCA
- Experience building compliance frameworks, policies and controls
- A background within payments, fintech or a closely related financial services environment
- Experience working within a high-growth or entrepreneurial business
- The ability to operate independently as the first dedicated compliance hire
- A pragmatic, commercial and solutions-focused approach to regulation
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
This position will particularly suit someone who enjoys building rather than inheriting. You should be comfortable remaining hands-on, personally developing policies and controls, solving regulatory challenges and working closely with product and technology teams.
The Opportunity
The business has raised multiple funding rounds from a leading global venture capital investor and has grown to approximately 50 employees, with significant ambitions for its next stage of development. You'll join an entrepreneurial, technology-led environment where compliance will play a central role in enabling the company's future growth.
Package: Competitive salary + significant equity
Location: Victoria, London
Working pattern: 5 days per week in the office
Employment: Permanent
If you have EMI application experience and are interested in building the compliance function within a rapidly scaling payments business, please apply or get in touch for a confidential conversation.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills