Group Head of Compliance/MLRO

About the Role

This role is a major opportunity for professional growth and career progression. We are looking for a strong, proactive compliance leader with a solid AML foundation, who is ready to take ownership, build and scale processes, and drive compliance as a strategic function across multiple entities, products, and jurisdictions. You will have high visibility, direct exposure to senior leadership, and the ability to shape compliance standards across the group - from more traditional EMI and payments compliance to complex and evolving areas including crypto-related processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Group Head of Compliance/MLRO and act as a key point of contact with relevant regulators and external stakeholders (including the FCA where applicable).
• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust group-wide compliance and financial crime prevention framework, aligned with applicable regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Design and establish compliance policies, procedures, and controls, ensuring full coverage across the group's entities, products, and operational processes.
• Conduct and oversee risk assessments, transaction monitoring governance, suspicious activity reporting (SARs), and enhanced due diligence (EDD).
• Prepare and submit relevant regulatory reports and compliance documentation (e.g., regulatory returns, financial crime reports, governance reporting, and SMCR-related responsibilities where applicable).
• Act as a senior compliance leader under strong governance principles, ensuring accountability and clear oversight across the group's compliance structure.
• Advise the Board and senior management on compliance and financial crime risks, obligations, emerging trends, and best practices.
• Provide training, guidance, and day to day support to teams to foster a strong compliance culture across the group.
• Lead regulatory change management, ensuring the group stays ahead of evolving rules, industry standards, and financial crime typologies.
• Scale and manage the compliance function as the group expands, providing leadership, mentorship, and operational structure.
• Serve as an independent and trusted voice within the business, ensuring ethical and regulatory standards are met while supporting commercial growth.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to compliance and financial crime prevention.
• Ensure robust customer due diligence processes, including identification and verification of clients and beneficial owners, and clear documentation of the nature and purpose of client relationships.
• Document and maintain financial crime risk management policies and the group's overall risk profile.
• Oversee governance, resourcing, and implementation of transaction screening and monitoring systems, ensuring effectiveness and appropriate performance oversight.
• Provide information and reporting to the governing body and senior management, including the annual MLRO report on the effectiveness of AML systems, controls, and financial crime risk management.

Requirements

• Proven track record in Compliance, MLRO (SMF17 / SMF16), Deputy MLRO, or similar compliance role within a regulated financial services environment (fintech, payments, EMI, banking, crypto, or related sectors).
• Strong knowledge of UK regulatory and AML frameworks, including EMRs, PSD2, FCA Handbook, MLR 2017, and JMLSG guidance.
• Demonstrated experience in building and improving compliance and AML frameworks from the ground up, including policies, procedures, controls, and governance.
• Strong understanding of AML/CTF, sanctions, fraud, and financial crime risks, including transaction monitoring principles and risk based controls design.
• Experience in preparing and submitting regulatory returns and compliance reporting (including FCA related reporting where applicable).
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to work hands on and operationally, while also developing into a strategic leader capable of scaling the function and managing a team.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders and Board level management.
• High integrity, resilience, independence, and sound judgement, with the ability to balance regulatory requirements with commercial objectives.
• Confidence to take ownership and lead processes end to end, while also knowing when to involve external expertise for specialised areas (e.g., complex cross border requirements, crypto related processes, or new regulatory expectations).
• UK recognised AML / MLRO certification is preferred, such as CAMS (ACAMS) and/or ICA International Diploma in Anti Money Laundering / Compliance.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in compliance and AML roles.
• Degree in finance, business administration, law, or a related field is preferred.
• Right to work in the UK is required, and the candidate should be based in London (or within commuting distance).
• Fluent English is required.
• Russian language skills are a strong advantage.

What we offer

A unique opportunity to join a high growth international group at a senior leadership level. A group level leadership role with real ownership and autonomy, with the ability to build and scale a best in class Compliance and AML function across the group. Significant career growth opportunities, including expanding scope, team building, and long term progression as the group scales. Exposure to a wide range of compliance challenges across multiple entities, products, and jurisdictions, including both traditional financial services and innovative processes. Competitive compensation package with potential long term incentives. Hybrid working model and a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative working environment with ambitious growth plans.

Why this role?

This is a unique opportunity to lead and strengthen the financial crime and compliance framework of a growing FCA regulated fintech. You will play a critical role in safeguarding the business while helping scale operations in a rapidly evolving payments environment.

Why Join Us

• Competitive compensation package.
• High impact leadership role within a regulated fintech.
• Direct collaboration with senior leadership and regulators.
• Dynamic international working environment.
• Opportunity to shape and enhance compliance frameworks as the business grows.