Group Head of Compliance/MLRO in London

About the Role

This role is a major opportunity for professional growth and career progression. We are looking for a strong, proactive compliance leader with a solid AML foundation, who is ready to take ownership, build and scale processes, and drive compliance as a strategic function across multiple entities, products, and jurisdictions. You will have high visibility, direct exposure to senior leadership, and the ability to shape compliance standards across the group - from more traditional EMI and payments compliance to complex and evolving areas including crypto-related processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Group Head of Compliance/MLRO and act as a key point of contact with relevant regulators and external stakeholders (including the FCA where applicable).
• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust group-wide compliance and financial crime prevention framework, aligned with applicable regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Design and establish compliance policies, procedures, and controls, ensuring full coverage across the group’s entities, products, and operational processes.
• Conduct and oversee risk assessments, transaction monitoring governance, suspicious activity reporting (SARs), and enhanced due diligence (EDD).
• Prepare and submit relevant regulatory reports and compliance documentation (e.g., regulatory returns, financial crime reports, governance reporting, and SMCR-related responsibilities where applicable).
• Act as a senior compliance leader under strong governance principles, ensuring accountability and clear oversight across the group’s compliance structure.
• Advise the Board and senior management on compliance and financial crime risks, obligations, emerging trends, and best practices.
• Provide training, guidance, and day-to-day support to teams to foster a strong compliance culture across the group.
• Lead regulatory change management, ensuring the group stays ahead of evolving rules, industry standards, and financial crime typologies.
• Scale and manage the compliance function as the group expands, providing leadership, mentorship, and operational structure.
• Serve as an independent and trusted voice within the business, ensuring ethical and regulatory standards are met while supporting commercial growth.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to compliance and financial crime prevention.
• Ensure robust customer due diligence processes, including identification and verification of clients and beneficial owners, and clear documentation of the nature and purpose of client relationships.
• Document and maintain financial crime risk management policies and the group’s overall risk profile.
• Oversee governance, resourcing, and implementation of transaction screening and monitoring systems, ensuring effectiveness and appropriate performance oversight.
• Provide information and reporting to the governing body and senior management, including the annual MLRO report on the effectiveness of AML systems, controls, and financial crime risk management.

Requirements

• Proven track record in Compliance, MLRO (SMF17 / SMF16), Deputy MLRO, or similar compliance role within a regulated financial services environment (fintech, payments, EMI, banking, crypto, or related sectors).
• Strong knowledge of UK regulatory and AML frameworks, including EMRs, PSD2, FCA Handbook, MLR 2017, and JMLSG guidance.
• Demonstrated experience in building and improving compliance and AML frameworks from the ground up, including policies, procedures, controls, and governance.
• Strong understanding of AML/CTF, sanctions, fraud, and financial crime risks, including transaction monitoring principles and risk-based controls design.
• Experience in preparing and submitting regulatory returns and compliance reporting (including FCA-related reporting where applicable).
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to work hands-on and operationally, while also developing into a strategic leader capable of scaling the function and managing a team.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders and Board-level management.
• High integrity, resilience, independence, and sound judgement, with the ability to balance regulatory requirements with commercial objectives.
• Confidence to take ownership and lead processes end-to-end, while also knowing when to involve external expertise for specialised areas (e.g., complex cross-border requirements, crypto-related processes, or new regulatory expectations).
• UK recognised AML / MLRO certification is preferred, such as CAMS (ACAMS) and/or ICA International Diploma in Anti Money Laundering / Compliance.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in compliance and AML roles.
• Degree in finance, business administration, law, or a related field is preferred.
• Right to work in the UK is required, and the candidate should be based in London (or within commuting distance).
• Fluent English is required. Russian language skills are a strong advantage.

What we offer

• A unique opportunity to join a high-growth international group at a senior leadership level.
• A group-level leadership role with real ownership and autonomy, with the ability to build and scale a best-in-class Compliance and AML function across the group.
• Significant career growth opportunities, including expanding scope, team-building, and long-term progression as the group scales.
• Exposure to a wide range of compliance challenges across multiple entities, products, and jurisdictions, including both traditional financial services and innovative processes.
• Competitive compensation package with potential long-term incentives.
• Hybrid working model and a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative working environment with ambitious growth plans.

Why this role?

• This is a unique opportunity to lead and strengthen the financial crime and compliance framework of a growing FCA-regulated fintech.
• You will play a critical role in safeguarding the business while helping scale operations in a rapidly evolving payments environment.

Why Join Us

• Competitive compensation package.
• High-impact leadership role within a regulated fintech.
• Direct collaboration with senior leadership and regulators.
• Dynamic international working environment.
• Opportunity to shape and enhance compliance frameworks as the business grows.