Head of Compliance & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)

British Electronic Payments Institution Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - GBP 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-licensed Electronic Money Institution is seeking a Head of Compliance & MLRO to lead compliance efforts and design a robust framework. This strategic role involves interacting with regulatory bodies like the FCA, overseeing AML processes, and ensuring adherence to UK regulations. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in compliance, strong leadership skills, and the ability to influence decision-making at a senior level. A hybrid working model is offered with competitive compensation.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package

Hybrid working model

Modern office in London

Brand-new equipment for employees

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head of Compliance or MLRO in FCA-regulated firm.
• Strong understanding of UK regulations like EMRs and FCA Handbook.
• Experience in building compliance processes from the ground up.
• Fluent in English, Russian skills advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Money Laundering Reporting Officer and FCA contact.
• Develop and maintain compliance and AML frameworks.
• Conduct risk assessments and submit regulatory reports.
• Advise senior management on compliance risks and best practices.
• Lead a compliance function and deliver training.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory framework knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication

AML and CTF knowledge

Job description

Head of Compliance & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)

We are a UK-licensed Electronic Money Institution (EMI) building a modern payments and account infrastructure for ambitious businesses. We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Compliance & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to join our senior leadership team.

This is a high-impact role with full ownership of the compliance and financial crime agenda, acting as the firm’s primary point of contact with the FCA. You will design and scale a best-in-class compliance framework, ensuring we meet regulatory expectations while enabling sustainable growth.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on: able to build strong governance and controls from the ground up, drive day-to-day execution with precision, and partner closely with leadership to support product and commercial decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and primary contact with the FCA and other regulatory authorities
• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust compliance and AML/CTF framework aligned with UK regulations (EMRs, PSD2, FCA Handbook, AMLD)
• Design and establish compliance policies, procedures, and controls from scratch, ensuring full regulatory coverage
• Conduct risk assessments, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting (SARs), and enhanced due diligence (EDD)
• Prepare and submit regulatory reports and filings (e.g., FCA returns, financial crime reporting, SMCR responsibilities)
• Act as the SMF16/17 function holder, ensuring accountability and governance under SMCR
• Advise the Board and senior management on compliance and AML/CTF risks, obligations, and best practices
• Deliver training and guidance to employees to embed a strong compliance culture across the organisation
• Lead regulatory change management and stay ahead of evolving laws, rules, and industry standards
• Build, scale, and manage a compliance function as the business grows, providing leadership and mentorship

Requirements

• Proven track record as a Head of Compliance, MLRO, or Deputy MLRO within an FCA-regulated firm (ideally EMI, payments, fintech, or banking)
• In-depth knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks (EMRs, PSD2, MLR 2017, JMLSG guidance, FCA Handbook)
• Demonstrated experience in building compliance and AML processes from the ground up
• Strong understanding of AML, CTF, sanctions, fraud, and financial crime risks in payments/EMI environments
• Experience preparing and submitting regulatory returns and reporting to the FCA
• Strong leadership skills: ability to operate hands-on initially and evolve into a strategic leader managing a team
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with the ability to influence at Board level
• High integrity, resilience, and strong judgement in balancing regulatory requirements with commercial realities
• Languages: Fluent English is required. Russian language skills are a strong advantage

What We Offer

• Full ownership of the compliance and financial crime function with autonomy to build scalable, regulator-ready processes
• High-impact leadership role in a fast-scaling fintech with real influence on strategic and commercial decisions
• Competitive compensation package with potential long-term incentives
• Hybrid working model with flexibility (including 1 remote day per week)
• Modern, well-located office in London and a collaborative, high-performance environment
• Brand-new equipment provided for all new employees
• Fast-moving, innovation-driven culture with direct access to leadership and rapid decision-making

Why This Role

This isn’t just another operations role. It’s a chance to shape processes in a scaling FCA-licensed fintech and build real impact in digital payments while working in Estonia’s fintech hub.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to become a key member of an FCA-licensed fintech, where operational expertise and innovation meet to shape the future of digital payments.