Fractional MLRO - Payments / Fintech

Russam; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 148,000 - 221,000; Part time

Job summary

Russam is assisting a European payments service provider with a senior fractional Compliance lead and MLRO (SMF17) to support UK expansion and FCA authorisation. The engagement is 1–2 days per week, focusing on designing and embedding robust AML, financial crime, and regulatory controls ahead of launch.

The role combines strategic guidance with hands‑on leadership to ensure governance, AML/CTF, sanctions, and regulatory compliance across payments operations for a multi‑currency environment.

Qualifications

• Proven MLRO or senior compliance leadership in fintech/payments.
• Strong knowledge of FCA regulation and UK AML/CTF.
• Experience in regulated payments or multi‑jurisdictional environments.
• Ability to design, embed and oversee AML/CTF, sanctions, and financial crime frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Act as MLRO (SMF17) during FCA authorisation and UK market entry.
• Design and embed AML/CTF, sanctions, and financial crime frameworks.
• Ensure regulatory compliance across payments operations and multi-currency activity.
• Develop compliance policies, controls, monitoring, and reporting structures.
• Support FCA engagement, submissions, and ongoing regulatory dialogue.
• Oversee transaction monitoring, risk assessments, and SAR processes.
• Advise leadership on regulatory obligations, risk appetite, and governance.
• Build scalable compliance operations aligned to growth and UK regulatory requirements.

Skills

MLRO experience

Regulatory compliance

FCA knowledge

AML/CTF expertise

Stakeholder management

Fintech payments

Governance

Hands-on leadership

Job description

Fractional Head of Compliance / MLRO (SMF17) – International Payments / Fintech

The Organisation

An established European payments service provider is seeking a senior fractional Compliance leader and MLRO to support its UK expansion and FCA authorisation process.
The business is preparing for UK regulatory approval and requires an experienced compliance professional to help design and embed a robust financial crime, AML, and regulatory compliance framework ahead of launch. Expected to be a 1–2 day per week engagement.

The Role

The Fractional MLRO will provide strategic and hands‑on leadership across compliance and financial crime prevention during a critical phase of UK regulatory setup. Working closely with founders, advisers, and senior stakeholders, the role will ensure the business meets FCA expectations for governance, AML/CTF controls, and ongoing compliance oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as (or prepare to act as) MLRO (SMF17) during FCA authorisation and UK market entry
• Design and embed AML/CTF, sanctions, and financial crime frameworks
• Ensure regulatory compliance across payments operations and multi‑currency activity
• Develop compliance policies, controls, monitoring, and reporting structures
• Support FCA engagement, submissions, and ongoing regulatory dialogue
• Oversee transaction monitoring, risk assessments, and suspicious activity reporting processes
• Advise leadership on regulatory obligations, risk appetite, and governance
• Build scalable compliance operations aligned to growth and UK regulatory requirements

The Desired Candidate

• Proven experience as MLRO, Head of Compliance, or senior financial crime leader within fintech, payments, or financial services
• Strong knowledge of FCA regulation and UK AML/CTF requirements
• Experience operating in regulated payments or multi-jurisdictional environments
• Familiarity with FCA SM&CR regime (ideally SMF17 experience)
• Strong stakeholder management skills with regulators, boards, and senior leadership
• Hands‑on, pragmatic, and comfortable working in a fractional or advisory capacity