At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial crime oversight and risk management for a growing fintech.
- Company: Join CreatePay, a fast-growing tech-enabled UK payments platform.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and remote work flexibility.
- Other info: Opportunity to build a high-performing compliance team and engage with regulators.
- Why this job: Shape the future of compliance in a dynamic fintech environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in AML, financial crime, or compliance within payments.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
CreatePay is seeking an experienced Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to join its executive leadership team and lead the development of the company’s financial crime and risk framework as the business scales its UK payments platform and obtains direct regulatory approval from the FCA. This is an executive-level role responsible for financial crime oversight, risk management and regulatory engagement with the FCA and key banking partners. CreatePay’s target market is low-risk SMEs. The successful candidate will take a hands‑on role in designing and implementing AML and risk frameworks, while also building and leading a risk and compliance team to support the company’s continued growth. This role will operate as SMF17 under the FCA Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) and will play a key role in supporting CreatePay’s regulatory roadmap. Please note, this is a remote role suitable for UK residents only. Travel to our HQ in Milton Keynes and for meetings in London are required.
Key Responsibilities
- AML & Financial Crime Oversight
- Develop and maintain AML / CTF policies and procedures
- Conduct the firm‑wide risk assessment (FWRA)
- Oversee transaction monitoring and suspicious activity investigations
- Submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the NCA when required
- Maintain sanctions and PEP screening frameworks
- Oversee merchant onboarding AML and KYB controls
- Deliver AML and financial crime training across the organisation
- Establish and maintain the company risk register and risk assessments
- Monitor operational, financial crime and regulatory risks across the platform
- Support incident management and escalation procedures
- Work with product and engineering teams to embed risk controls into payment flows and onboarding processes
- Support safeguarding oversight where applicable
- Manage third‑party risk relating to acquiring banks, processors and technology providers
- Build and lead the company’s financial crime and compliance team
- Recruit and develop compliance and risk professionals as the business scales
- Establish governance and reporting structures
- Work closely with senior management across operations, technology and finance
- Foster a strong compliance and risk culture across the organisation
- Act as the primary point of contact for financial crime matters with the FCA and key partners
- Prepare risk and compliance reporting for the Board and senior management
- Maintain regulatory documentation, policies and governance materials
- Support CreatePay’s regulatory authorisation strategy
- Oversee compliance monitoring and internal controls
Skills & Experience
- Experience working in AML, financial crime or compliance within payments or fintech
- Experience acting as MLRO or Deputy MLRO
- Strong understanding of UK payments regulation (AML, EMRs, PSRs)
- Experience with transaction monitoring, SAR reporting and KYB processes
- Strong organisational and operational leadership skills
- Ability to operate in a hands‑on leadership role within a growing fintech
- Strong stakeholder management and board reporting capability
- Proven line management experience with strong people leadership skills
- A hands‑on leader comfortable building and scaling functions
Desirable
- Previous FCA SMF17 approval
- Experience within merchant acquiring, PayFac, EMI or payment processing
- Experience supporting FCA authorisation applications
- ICA or ACAMS qualification
What Success Looks Like
- Strong financial crime and risk frameworks implemented across the business
- Effective AML controls and transaction monitoring processes
- A high-performing compliance and risk team built as the business scales
- Effective engagement with regulators and banking partners
- Risk and compliance embedded into day‑to‑day operations
Why Join CreatePay
- A rare opportunity to join one of the fastest-growing tech‑enabled UK ISOs as it evolves into a value‑added Payment Facilitator
- Executive leadership position
- Opportunity to define and build regulatory strategy from day one
- High‑growth, technology‑driven fintech environment with an experienced management team
- Competitive compensation package plus equity
- Remote role, with requirements to travel to Milton Keynes and London for meetings as required
MLRO & Director of Risk employer: CreatePay Limited
Contact Detail:
CreatePay Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land MLRO & Director of Risk
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fintech and compliance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CreatePay and its regulatory landscape. Understand their AML and risk frameworks, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s not just looking for any job, but is genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! In your conversations, highlight your experience in building and leading teams, especially in compliance and risk. Share specific examples of how you've successfully implemented frameworks or engaged with regulators, as this will resonate well with CreatePay's expectations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining CreatePay and are ready to take on the challenge of shaping their financial crime and risk strategy.
We think you need these skills to ace MLRO & Director of Risk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the MLRO & Director of Risk role. Highlight your experience in AML, financial crime, and compliance, especially within payments or fintech. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for CreatePay. Share specific examples of your past achievements in risk management and regulatory engagement. This is your chance to shine and show us your passion for the role!
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since this is an executive-level position, emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've built and led teams in the past, and how you can foster a strong compliance culture at CreatePay. We love hands-on leaders!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at CreatePay Limited
✨Know Your AML Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in AML and financial crime regulations, especially those relevant to the UK payments sector. Brush up on your knowledge of transaction monitoring, SAR reporting, and KYB processes, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this role involves building and leading a compliance team, be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and fostered a strong compliance culture in past roles.
✨Understand CreatePay's Vision
Research CreatePay’s mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to articulate how you can contribute to their regulatory roadmap and help them scale their operations effectively.
✨Prepare for Regulatory Engagement Scenarios
Since you'll be acting as the primary contact for financial crime matters with the FCA, consider potential scenarios you might face. Prepare to discuss how you would handle regulatory challenges and maintain effective communication with key partners.