MLRO & Director of Risk
MLRO & Director of Risk

MLRO & Director of Risk

Full-Time 100000 - 150000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
CreatePay

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial crime oversight and develop risk frameworks for a growing fintech.
  • Company: Join CreatePay, a fast-growing tech-enabled UK payments platform.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, remote work, and executive leadership opportunities.
  • Other info: Remote role with travel to Milton Keynes and London for meetings.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of compliance in a dynamic fintech environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in AML, financial crime, and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 ÂŁ per year.

This is a remote position. 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
  • Risk & Compliance Framework
    • 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
  • Team Building & Leadership
    • 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
  • Regulatory & Governance
    • 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

    Benefits

    • 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

    CreatePay is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the development of financial crime and risk frameworks in a fast-growing fintech environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the chance to build and lead a dedicated compliance team while enjoying the flexibility of a remote role, complemented by competitive compensation and equity options. Join us to make a meaningful impact as we scale our UK payments platform and engage with key regulatory bodies.
    CreatePay

    Contact Detail:

    CreatePay 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 management. Share specific examples of how you’ve successfully implemented frameworks or engaged with regulators, as this will resonate well with the executive-level role.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining CreatePay and are ready to take on the challenges of this exciting role.

    We think you need these skills to ace MLRO & Director of Risk

    AML and CTF Policy Development
    Transaction Monitoring
    Suspicious Activity Reporting (SARs)
    Risk Assessment
    Regulatory Engagement with FCA
    Team Building and Leadership
    Stakeholder Management
    Operational Leadership
    Compliance Monitoring
    Understanding of UK Payments Regulation
    KYB Processes
    Governance and Reporting Structures
    Incident Management
    Third-Party Risk Management
    FCA SMF17 Approval

    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 is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this executive-level position. Share specific examples of your leadership in risk management and regulatory engagement that will resonate with us.

    Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves building and leading a team, make sure to highlight your previous experience in managing teams and fostering a strong compliance culture. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and develop others!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on joining our growing team!

    How to prepare for a job interview at CreatePay

    ✨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 scale their operations while maintaining compliance.

    ✨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 in this role. Prepare to discuss how you would handle regulatory challenges and maintain effective communication with key partners.

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