Head of Compliance & MLRO

www.cardandpaymentjobs.com; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading electronic money organisation in the payments and fintech sector is seeking a Head of Compliance & MLRO to lead and develop its compliance and financial crime function. This critical role involves overseeing the compliance framework, managing regulatory relationships, and ensuring alignment with FCA and AML requirements. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in compliance leadership, a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, and experience communicating with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in Compliance leadership within payments or e-money environments.
• Deep understanding of FCA regulations and financial crime prevention.
• Experience in managing audits and compliance monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of compliance manuals and frameworks.
• Oversee CDD/KYC and onboarding processes.
• Manage transaction monitoring programme.
• Prepare regulatory submissions to FCA.
• Monitor updates from regulatory bodies.
• Deliver compliance training across the business.

Skills

Compliance leadership

Understanding of FCA frameworks

Regulatory reporting

Stakeholder communication

Audit management

Job description

Head of Compliance & MLRO

Location: London office 1-2times a week

Our client, a leading electronic money organisation in the payments and fintech sector, is seeking a Head of Compliance & MLRO to lead and develop their compliance and financial crime function. This is a key role overseeing the firm’s compliance framework, risk management, and regulatory relationships — ensuring the business remains fully aligned with FCA, AML, and e-money requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing development of compliance manuals, frameworks, and monitoring tools.
• Oversee CDD/KYC, PEP & sanctions screening, and all onboarding processes
• Manage the firm’s transaction monitoring programme, ensuring timely review and escalation of alerts.
• Deliver and maintain an effective Compliance and Financial Crime Monitoring Programme.
• Prepare and oversee regulatory submissions and reports to the FCA and other authorities.
• Provide expert regulatory guidance on complaints handling and FOS cases.
• Monitor and interpret updates from FCA, JMLSG, HMRC, ESMA, and FATF, implementing changes into policies and controls.
• Manage external compliance audits, from defining scope to remediation.
• Oversee Risk Management strategy and Risk Appetite frameworks.
• Deliver engaging compliance and AML training across the business.
• Act as key adviser to the Managing Director on all compliance and regulatory matters.

About You

• Strong and proven track record in Compliance leadership within payments, BIN sponsorship, prepaid, or e-money environments.
• Deep understanding of FCA regulatory frameworks, AML/CTF, and financial crime prevention.
• Confident communicator capable of influencing senior stakeholders and regulators.
• Hands-on experience managing audits, compliance monitoring, and regulatory reporting.
• Pragmatic, detail-oriented, and commercially aware.

Why Apply?

This is an exciting opportunity to take full ownership of the compliance and MLRO function within an established and dynamic payments firm, shaping regulatory strategy and driving best practice across the business.