MLRO UK, AML Compliance Manager

Western Union; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Comprehensive life & medical cover

Contributory pension plan

Job summary

Western Union in the United Kingdom is seeking an AML Compliance Manager and MLRO for our UK regulated entity. You will lead the UK financial crime framework across retail and digital, reporting to senior stakeholders and regulators, shaping risk-based decisions and remediation strategies.

Hybrid work with minimum three days in the office; role requires FCA/HMRC approvals. You will oversee CDD, SAR, policy governance, and engagement with FCA, HMRC, NCA.

Qualifications

• Significant AML/financial crime compliance experience within a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong working knowledge of UK AML, CTF and sanctions requirements, including KYC/CDD, suspicious activity reporting and financial crime controls.
• Experience engaging with regulators, law enforcement, auditors and senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to assess complex financial crime and regulatory risks and make sound, risk-based decisions.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to provide effective challenge and clear advice across different levels of the organisation.
• Previous MLRO or senior financial crime leadership experience is advantageous.
• A CAMS or equivalent AML qualification would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the UK AML, CTF and sanctions compliance framework, including policies, controls, monitoring and governance arrangements.
• Provide oversight of suspicious activity reporting, including the outsourced SAR filing function, and act as a key point of contact for the National Crime Agency (NCA).
• Lead engagement with the FCA, HMRC, law enforcement, auditors and other relevant stakeholders on regulatory queries, examinations, inspections and remediation.
• Oversee customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), KYC standards, periodic reviews and ongoing monitoring controls.
• Assess financial crime risks and escalations and provide clear, risk-based advice to senior management, the Board and Compliance teams.
• Partner with global and regional teams to strengthen financial crime standards, drive remediation and respond to emerging regulatory requirements and risks.
• Promote a strong culture of compliance through guidance, training and awareness activities.

Skills

AML compliance

Regulatory engagement

Leadership

Risk assessment

Communication

Stakeholder management

MLRO experience

Education

CAMS or equivalent AML qualification

Job description

Role Responsibilities

Please note that this is a regulated SMF17 position and the successful candidate will be subject to the relevant FCA and HMRC approval requirements.

As AML Compliance Manager and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for our UK regulated entity, you'll play a key role in protecting our customers, our business and the integrity of our financial services. You'll lead the oversight of our UK financial crime framework across our retail and digital business, working at the intersection of regulation, risk and business decision-making. This is an opportunity to take real ownership of financial crime compliance, engage directly with regulators and senior stakeholders, and help shape how we manage evolving AML, CTF and sanctions risks.

• Oversee the UK AML, CTF and sanctions compliance framework, including policies, controls, monitoring and governance arrangements.
• Provide oversight of suspicious activity reporting, including the outsourced SAR filing function, and act as a key point of contact for the National Crime Agency (NCA).
• Lead engagement with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), law enforcement, auditors and other relevant stakeholders on regulatory queries, examinations, inspections and remediation.
• Oversee customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), KYC standards, periodic reviews and ongoing monitoring controls.
• Assess financial crime risks and escalations and provide clear, risk-based advice to senior management, the Board and Compliance teams.
• Partner with global and regional teams to strengthen financial crime standards, drive remediation and respond to emerging regulatory requirements and risks.
• Promote a strong culture of compliance through guidance, training and awareness activities.

Role Requirements

• Significant AML / financial crime compliance experience within a regulated financial services environment.
• Strong working knowledge of UK AML, CTF and sanctions requirements, including KYC/CDD, suspicious activity reporting and financial crime controls.
• Experience engaging with regulators, law enforcement, auditors and senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to assess complex financial crime and regulatory risks and make sound, risk-based decisions.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to provide effective challenge and clear advice across different levels of the organisation.
• Previous experience as an MLRO, Deputy MLRO or in a senior financial crime leadership role would be advantageous.
• A professional AML qualification, such as CAMS or equivalent, would be advantageous.

Workplace Option

HYBRID - Western Union values in-person collaboration, problem solving, and ideation whenever possible. We believe this fosters common ways of working and supports how we execute initiatives for our customers. The expectation is to work from the office a minimum of three days a week.

Benefits

You will also have access to short-term incentives, multiple health insurance options, accident and life insurance, and access to best-in-class development platforms, to name a few. Please see the benefits below specific to your country. If applicable, additional role-specific benefits will be mentioned during your interview process or in an offer of employment.

Your United Kingdom specific benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave - plus 8 public holidays
• Comprehensive life & medical cover - including dependents
• Contributory pension plan

Other Details

We are passionate about honoring our employee's identity and fostering a feeling of belonging. Our commitment is to provide an inclusive culture that celebrates the unique backgrounds and perspectives of our global teams while reflecting the communities we serve. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. The company will provide accommodation to applicants, including those with disabilities, during the recruitment process, following applicable laws.

#LI-MP2 #LI-Hybrid

Estimated Job Posting End Date: 11-30-2026

This application window is a good-faith estimate of the time that this posting will remain open. This posting will be promptly updated if the deadline is extended or the role is filled.