Head of Risk, Compliance and MLRO

Trustly; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in financial technology is seeking a Head of Risk and Compliance in Greater London. The ideal candidate will implement and oversee risk management and compliance frameworks, ensuring alignment with UK regulations. Requirements include 6-10 years in risk roles within FCA-regulated firms and strong expertise in financial crime and compliance. This role also offers comprehensive benefits including holiday allowance, wellbeing support, and opportunities for personal impact in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

20 to 30 days of holiday

Monthly team outing allowance

Parental leave top-up

On-site perks

Wellbeing support including gym memberships

Qualifications

• 6-10 years in risk and compliance roles within an FCA-regulated payments institution.
• 3-5 years as MLRO and/or Head of Compliance.
• Expert understanding of UK regulatory landscape.
• Experience managing compliance in a complex group is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead Risk, Compliance, and AML policies for the company.
• Advise Board and Senior Management on risk and compliance.
• Oversee the Risk Management Framework and conduct risk assessments.
• Develop and maintain compliance frameworks and monitor obligations.
• Act as the nominated MLRO and oversee AML/CTF framework.

Skills

Experience in risk and compliance roles

Regulatory knowledge of UK payments sector

Financial crime expertise (KYC, sanctions)

Leadership and stakeholder communication

Expertise with FCA and NCA regulations

Education

ICA Diploma, ACAMS or similar

Job description

Overview

Trustly is a global leader in Open Banking Payments, building a smarter, faster, and more secure financial future. We are establishing Pay by Bank as the new standard at checkout and seek a strategic leader to drive risk, compliance, and anti-financial crime programs across the group.

The Head of Risk and Compliance / Chief Risk and Compliance Officer UK (MLRO) will design, implement, and oversee the company’s Risk, Compliance, and Anti-Financial Crime frameworks. This role serves as the primary point of contact for the FCA, NCA, and other regulators, ensuring the firm meets and exceeds regulatory obligations. As head of the second line of defence, you will oversee subsidiary operations and align risk and compliance across the group. The successful candidate may also serve as a statutory director and board member.

What you’ll do

• Lead all Risk, Compliance, and Anti-Money Laundering policies for the company.
• Governance, Strategy & Leadership: Advise the Board, CEO, and Senior Management on risk and compliance matters; develop and maintain the Firm’s Risk Appetite Statement; provide accurate risk and compliance information to the Board, Senior Management, and regulators; own Risk, Compliance, and AML/CTF policies; coordinate with Internal Audit to ensure effective controls and remediation.
• Risk Management: Oversee the Risk Management Framework; identify, assess, control, and mitigate material risks; conduct comprehensive risk assessments of operations, products, customers, and outsourcing relationships; monitor and report risk in line with the Risk Strategy & Appetite.
• Compliance: Develop and maintain a UK-wide compliance framework, policies, and controls; monitor compliance with regulatory obligations (PSRs, Open Banking, etc.); advise on payments regulatory questions related to product development, merchant agreements, end-user terms, and partner relationships; ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability; oversee client fund safeguarding and reconciliation; act as final escalation point for reported cases.
• Financial Crime & MLRO: Act as the nominated MLRO and Nominated Officer; be primary contact for NCA, FIUs, and law enforcement; establish and oversee AML/CTF framework; own AML risk assessments, customer risk methodologies, and transaction monitoring models; sign off on higher-risk customer relationships; own KYC and underwriting processes including sanctions screening.
• Regulatory & UK Oversight: Act as primary contact for the FCA and authorities; manage regulatory reporting for risk and compliance; oversee group-wide alignment with subsidiary risk and compliance functions; ensure strategic alignment of risk frameworks across the group; review group-level risks and controls; provide strategic guidance to the subsidiary’s leadership.

Who you are

• Experience: 6–10 years in risk and compliance roles within an FCA-regulated payments or e-money institution.
• Nominated Officer Experience: 3–5 years as MLRO and/or Head of Compliance.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Expert understanding of UK regulatory landscape (PSRs, FCA Handbook, POCA, Money Laundering Regulations, JMLSG, Open Banking).
• Financial Crime Expertise: KYC, transaction monitoring, sanctions, SAR reporting, and investigations.
• Leadership: Experience in a senior leadership role with ability to influence C-suite, board, and regulators.
• Regulatory Relations: Primary contact with the FCA and NCA.
• Experience as a statutory director or board member is advantageous; experience managing compliance in a complex group (parent/subsidiary) is beneficial.
• Qualifications: ICA Diploma, ACAMS or similar asset; legal background preferable.
• Strategic Thinker, Integrity, Communication: Ability to align risk with business goals, ethical judgment, and clear communication for stakeholders; resilient and pragmatic in a fast-paced scale-up.

Benefits

Our Fantastic Benefits (varies by location): 20 to 30 days of holiday; monthly team outing allowance; parental leave top-up; on-site perks; wellbeing support including a health allowance (gym memberships, massages, etc.); additional benefits to enhance work-life experience.

Our Culture & How to Apply

Shape Your Role and Make an Impact. Join a dynamic environment with ownership, continuous change, and collaboration across the organisation. If your skills and experience align with this role, apply now and submit your CV in English. We may use AI tools to support parts of the hiring process, but final hiring decisions are made by humans. For data processing information, please contact us.