Director of UK Compliance in London

We’re hiring a UK Credit Compliance Lead to join Cleo’s Legal, Compliance & Policy team in a pivotal role focused on building and leading our UK new credit products compliance program. This role focuses on ownership of UK regulated products, shaping frameworks, processes, and governance to support growth.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Take ownership over the UK compliance program ensuring it is fit for a growing fintech, aligns with regulatory expectations, business strategy, and product expansion.
• Own Compliance for UK Credit and other regulated products advising on FCA rules and broader regulatory requirements across the product lifecycle.
• Manage FCA engagement and regulatory relationships as primary contact for UK regulatory matters, including interfacing with the FCA and supporting regulatory queries, examinations, and investigations.
• Maintain regulatory authorisations and reporting obligations overseeing ongoing compliance obligations tied to existing UK authorisations.
• Support new licences and regulatory approvals partnering with Legal, Product, and business stakeholders to support applications for new licences and permissions.
• Provide AML and financial crime leadership supporting UK AML compliance requirements, advising on relevant regulations, financial crime controls, and governance.
• Partner cross‑functionally to embed compliance translating regulatory requirements into practical, scalable processes and controls.
• Drive compliance risk management and issue resolution identifying, assessing, and escalating compliance risks, supporting investigations and remediation.
• Help shape the future of the function contributing to the growth of Cleo’s broader international compliance capabilities, building processes, improving governance, and managing at least one direct report as the program expands.

What We’re Looking For

Must‑Have

• Significant compliance experience within UK financial services, ideally in a fintech or fast‑paced regulated environment.
• Ability to serve as SMF 16 and SMF 17 for UK Cleo.
• Strong working knowledge of the FCA regulatory framework and experience supporting or leading compliance for UK regulated products.
• Hands‑on experience maintaining regulatory authorisations, managing FCA reporting obligations, and supporting ongoing regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience working directly with the FCA during regulatory reviews, examinations, investigations, or other supervisory interactions.
• Experience supporting or leading applications for new licences, permissions, or authorisations, ideally including consumer credit or related regulated activities.
• Ability to balance regulatory rigour with commercial pragmatism.
• Strong judgment, ownership, and communication skills, with the ability to operate independently and influence senior cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Experience building or maturing compliance programs, frameworks, policies, and controls in a scaling business.

Nice‑to‑Have

• Prior experience as SMF 16 or SMF 17 or in a deputy role with direct relevant experience.
• Experience in a startup or high‑growth fintech environment.
• Experience building a compliance program or function with a high degree of autonomy.
• Strong knowledge of AML and financial crime compliance requirements, with experience as an MLRO or comparable senior AML‑focused role.
• Prior people‑management experience, or readiness to lead and develop at least one team member.
• Familiarity with product development processes and advising on compliance considerations for new products.
• Relevant compliance certifications or professional qualifications in compliance, AML, or financial crime.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package (base + equity) with bi‑annual reviews and alignment to quarterly OKRs.
• Fast‑growing tech startup backed by top VC firms.
• Clear progression plan supporting leadership, ownership, and impact.
• Flexibility and hybrid options for London and remote staff, with travel cost coverage.
• Generous 6‑month company performance reviews and pay increases for high performers.
• Equity top‑ups for promoted team members.
• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays (plus an additional day for every year with Cleo, up to 30 days).
• 6 % employer‑matched pension in the UK.
• Private medical insurance, dental cover, and life assurance.
• Enhanced parental leave and a 1‑month paid sabbatical after 4 years.
• Regular socials and activities, both online and in‑person.
• OpenAI subscription and online mental health support via Spill.
• Workplace Nursery Scheme.

Compensation Range

United Kingdom: £116,000 – £145,000 gross annually (final compensation determined based on experience).

Welcoming Everyone

We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio‑economic backgrounds. If there’s anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.