Head of Risk, Compliance and MLRO London, United Kingdom - Risk & Compliance - Europe - Risk - ...

Trustly, Inc.; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in Open Banking Payments is looking for a Head of Risk and Compliance to oversee all aspects of the company’s risk and compliance frameworks in London. The ideal candidate will have over 6 years of experience in FCA-regulated institutions, with a deep understanding of UK regulations and financial crime prevention. Responsibilities include advising senior management, managing regulatory relationships, and ensuring compliance across the organization. Competitive benefits and a dynamic work environment offered.

Benefits

20 to 30 days of holiday

Monthly team outing allowance

Parental leave top up

On-site perks

Well-being support

Qualifications

• A minimum of 6-10 years of experience in risk and compliance within FCA-regulated institutions.
• 3-5 years of experience as a nominated MLRO or Head of Compliance.
• Ability to manage compliance in a complex group structure.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and oversee risk and compliance frameworks.
• Serve as an advisor to the Board and ensure alignment of risk strategy.
• Manage regulatory reporting and maintain relationships with FCA and NCA.

Skills

Experience in risk and compliance roles

Expert level understanding of UK regulations

Financial crime expertise

Leadership experience

Excellent communication skills

Education

Relevant professional qualification (e.g., ICA Diploma, ACAMS)

Legal background or qualification

Job description

WHO WE ARE

At Trustly, we're building a smarter, faster, and more secure financial future by revolutionizing the world of payments. As a global leader in Open Banking Payments, we are establishing Pay by Bank as the new standard at checkout, providing unparalleled freedom, speed, and ease to millions of consumers and merchants worldwide.

Our Ambition: To build the world's most disruptive payment network and redefine what the payment experience should feel like.

Trustly is a global team of innovators, collaborators, and doers. If you are driven by a strong sense of purpose and thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and high-growth environment, join us and be part of a team that's transforming the way the world pays.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic leader to join our executive team as the Head of Risk and Compliance/ Chief Risk and Compliance Officer UK. This individual will also be nominated as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) (holding PSD Individual nominations for these roles).

This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing all aspects of the company's Risk, Compliance, and Anti-Financial Crime frameworks. You will be the primary point of contact for the FCA, NCA, and other regulatory bodies, ensuring the firm not only meets but exceeds its regulatory obligations.

As the head of the second line of defence, you will provide critical oversight for our subsidiary's operations, working closely with their Head of Compliance to ensure group-wide alignment. The successful candidate may also be required to serve as a statutory director and a member of the Board of Directors.

What you’ll do

• Your responsibilities will be broad, encompassing all Risk, Compliance, and Anti-Money Laundering policies for the company.

Governance, Strategy & Leadership

• Serve as a key advisor to the Board, CEO, and Senior Management on all risk and compliance matters.
• Play a crucial role in developing and maintaining the firm's Risk Appetite Statement, ensuring risk strategy aligns with the overall business strategy.
• Ensure that accurate, timely, and relevant risk and compliance information is provided to the Board, Senior Management, and regulators.
• Take full ownership of all Risk, Compliance, and AML/CTF policies, ensuring they are fit for purpose, regularly reviewed, and effectively embedded.
• Liaise with the Third Line of Defence (Internal Audit) to ensure controls are effective and remedial actions are tracked to completion.

Risk Management

• Oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of the company's Risk Management Framework.
• Ensure all material risks (operational, financial, regulatory, etc.) are identified, assessed, controlled, and mitigated.
• Conduct comprehensive Risk Assessments of the entity's operations, including business, products, customers, and outsourcing relationships.
• Ensure adherence to the Risk Strategy & Appetite Framework, including continuous monitoring and reporting.

Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective, UK-wide compliance framework, policies, and controls.
• Oversee the monitoring of compliance with all relevant regulatory obligations (e.g., PSRs, Open Banking regulations), including proactive surveillance to identify potential breaches.
• Advise the business on payment regulatory questions related to product development, merchant agreements, end‑user terms, and partner relationships.
• Ensure and uphold data confidentiality, integrity, and availability, acting as the owner for reporting any data privacy incidents to relevant authorities.
• Provide oversight of the client fund safeguarding and reconciliation functions.
• Act as the final point of escalation to evaluate and decide on actions for all reported cases.

Financial Crime & MLRO

• Act as the nominated Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and Nominated Officer, holding personal responsibility for the firm’s anti‑financial crime framework.
• Serve as the primary contact for the National Crime Agency (NCA), Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), and law enforcement, managing all external SAR submissions.
• Establish, maintain, and oversee an effective anti‑money laundering and counter‑terrorist financing (AML/CTF) framework.
• Own the firm’s general AML Risk Assessment, customer risk assessment methodologies, and transaction monitoring models.
• Provide final sign‑off and review of all higher risk customer relationships.
• Own and develop efficient KYC and underwriting processes to prevent the firm from being used for illicit transactions, including sanctions screening.

Regulatory & UK Oversight

• Act as the primary contact person for the FCA and other authorities, maintaining a proactive and transparent relationship.
• Manage all risk and compliance related regulatory reporting, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• UK Oversight: While the subsidiary has its own MLRO and Head of Compliance, you will be responsible for the parent company’s oversight of the subsidiary’s risk and compliance functions.

This includes:

• Ensuring strategic alignment of risk frameworks and policies across the group.
• Reviewing group level risks and controls, providing strategic guidance and support to the subsidiary’s leadership.

Who you are

• Experience: A minimum of 6‑10 years of relevant experience in risk and compliance roles within an FCA‑regulated payments or e‑money institution.
• Nominated Officer Experience: A minimum of 3‑5 years of demonstrable experience as a nominated MLRO and/or Head of Compliance.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Expert level understanding of the UK regulatory landscape, including the Payment Services Regulations (PSRs), FCA Handbook, Proceeds of a Crime Act, Money Laundering Regulations, JMLSG guidance, and Open Banking.
• Financial Crime Expertise: Deep and practical expertise in KYC, transaction monitoring, sanctions, SAR reporting, and managing investigations.
• Leadership: Proven experience in a senior leadership role with the ability to influence C‑suite executives, board members, and regulators.
• Regulatory Relations: Demonstrable experience as the primary point of contact with the FCA and NCA.
• Previous experience as a statutory director or board member would be advantageous.
• Experience managing compliance in a complex group structure (parent/subsidiary) would be highly beneficial.
• Holding a relevant professional qualification (e.g., ICA Diploma, ACAMS) would be an asset.
• A legal background or qualification would be preferable.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to see the bigger picture and align risk management with business goals.
• Unquestionable Integrity: A strong ethical compass and the courage to make difficult decisions.
• Excellent Communicator: Ability to distil complex regulatory concepts into clear, concise advice for stakeholders at all levels.
• Resilient & Pragmatic: A hands‑on, problem‑solving attitude with the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced scale‑up environment.

Our Fantastic Benefits (varies by location)

20 to 30 days of holiday to support a healthy work life balance

Monthly team outing allowance to enjoy social events with your colleagues

Parental leave top up additional support for new parents

On site perks to make your workday smoother

Well being support our health allowance covers gym memberships, massages, and much more to help you feel your best

PLUS additional benefits designed to enhance your work life experience!

Shape Your Role and Make an Impact

Join a dynamic environment where you can take ownership, drive change, and continuously embrace new challenges. We're looking for dedicated and highly motivated individuals who thrive in a fast paced environment and enjoy collaborating across different areas of the organisation.

If your skills and experience align with this role, we'd love to hear from you! Apply now and submit your CV in English.