Head of Financial Crime Advisory (Deputy MLRO)

Modulr; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services company is seeking a Head of Financial Crime Advisory (Deputy MLRO) to lead financial crime prevention efforts. You will support regulatory compliance, engage with key stakeholders, and enhance risk management processes. Ideal candidates will have strong experience in financial crime compliance, excellent analytical skills, and an interest in applying AI in risk management. This full-time role is based in Edinburgh or London, with flexible in-office requirements.

Benefits

Share options via CSOP

Annual discretionary bonus

Flexible benefits allowance

Confidential well-being app

33 days annual leave

Learning opportunities

Company-wide events

Bike-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in financial crime compliance with exposure to AML, CTF, fraud, and sanctions.
• Ability to deliver assurance and advisory services in a regulated environment.
• Interest in broader risk frameworks beyond financial crime.

Responsibilities

• Maintain understanding of regulatory changes to ensure systems remain effective.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure trust.
• Monitor KPIs and KRIs for areas of strength and improvement.

Skills

Financial crime compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical mindset

Collaboration

Job description

Head of Financial Crime Advisory (Deputy MLRO)

Location : Edinburgh / London

Full-time

In office 4 days / week

About the role

• Strong background in financial crime threat prevention and advisory with experience operating as a Deputy MLRO
• Operate in a fast‑paced environment supporting the business to grow safely and sustainably
• Ambition to hit the ground running with opportunity to move into the full MLRO position and as Head of Risk & Compliance for our UK business

If so we would love to hear from you!

Who We Are

Modulr enables businesses from SMEs to enterprise to grow revenue, drive efficiencies and deliver customer experiences by embedding payments into their products and operating systems. We provide products and services that allow our clients to collect, reconcile and disburse funds instantly via a range of payment schemes, accounts and card products fully controllable via API.

More information on our website and careers site.

What You’ll Do

• Maintain a strong understanding of the external environment to identify best practice and regulatory changes, ensuring our systems and controls remain proportionate and effective.
• Engage and participate across the industry to ensure Modulr is a trusted partner with key stakeholders (including regulators and law enforcement).
• Work with colleagues in Operations Technology & product to ensure they are executing to the required standards in terms of quality and outcomes, and provide insight and advice on opportunities to enhance processes and controls.
• Ensure policies remain up‑to‑date, clear and have appropriate assurance, providing risk acceptance and mitigation plans where required.
• Design targeted and general training and awareness programs to establish a strong culture that tackles financial crime risks and evidence competence in core operational teams.
• Own, enhance and monitor a suite of KPIs and KRIs to identify areas of strength and improvement, aligned with our BWRA.
• Contribute to key framework items including the annual MLRO report, AML risk assessments and align with product colleagues to support relevant product risk assessments and go‑to‑market strategies.

Who You Are

What you’ll need

• Strong experience in financial crime compliance with exposure to AML, CTF, fraud and sanctions, ideally having worked as a Deputy MLRO before.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver assurance and advisory services in a regulated environment.
• Interest and aptitude for broader risk frameworks beyond financial crime.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and influencing at senior levels.
• Analytical mindset with experience in risk metrics and reporting.
• Collaborative and proactive problem‑solving approach.
• Curious mindset and drive to explore how AI can make a real difference.

Nice to haves

• Experience in the payments or e‑money sector with understanding of key regulatory areas.
• Experience in a Risk & Compliance role outside of Financial Crime.

What We Offer You

• Share options via a Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) allowing you to benefit from share value increases.
• Annual discretionary bonus paid in May based on company and individual performance.
• Flexible benefits – £1,000 to spend on private medical insurance, gym membership, dental, etc.
• Well‑being app with confidential on‑demand access to therapy, coaching, counselling, management training or mindfulness sessions, company‑funded hours and top‑up options.
• Holidays – 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus your birthday, Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day are fixed holidays.
• Learning opportunities – a two‑day onboarding program (ModStart) plus continued development through various channels.
• Company‑wide events – collaborative and engaging events with colleagues across the business.
• Bike‑to‑work / e‑bike scheme.

ModInclusion

At Modulr we are committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong and can bring their whole selves to work. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds as we believe it is the right thing for our people, our business and the community we operate in.