Head of Compliance & MLRO in London

Head of Compliance & MLRO in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Deepstreamtech

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead compliance strategy and ensure regulatory excellence for a fast-growing fintech.
  • Company: Dynamic fintech company focused on innovation and compliance.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
  • Other info: Join a team that values strategic thinking and proactive risk management.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of finance while ensuring integrity and trust in our services.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in compliance, AML experience, and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.

Requirements

  • 7+ years of experience in compliance and AML within a UK‐regulated investment firm, wealth manager, or brokerage
  • Direct experience holding or being ready to hold SMF 16/17 (Head of Compliance & MLRO) status
  • Proven expertise in the UK wealth/investments landscape, with a deep understanding of FCA rules (COBS, Consumer Duty)
  • Significant experience with SIPPs/Pensions is highly desirable to support our retirement planning product expansion
  • Strategic thinking with the ability to scale compliance practices in a high‐growth, fast‐paced fintech environment
  • Pragmatic and commercial problem solving applied to the specific needs of our B2B and B2B2C business models
  • Leadership experience in managing stakeholders and building a compliance‐focused culture that supports business innovation
  • A legal background (lawyer or significant legal experience) is considered a plus for interpreting complex regulatory frameworks

What the job involves

  • As the Head of Compliance and MLRO, you are responsible for the strategic oversight and execution of our regulatory framework in the UK
  • You will hold the SMF 16 and SMF 17 functions for Upvest Securities Ltd, acting as a senior business partner to ensure our growth is built on a foundation of regulatory excellence
  • You will lead the development of a robust compliance and AML function that aligns with FCA standards and supports our ambitious product roadmap, including the launch of our SIPP (pensions) offering
  • By fostering a 'Compliance by Design' culture, you will enable Upvest to scale its financial infrastructure to millions of end‐users while maintaining the highest levels of integrity and trust with regulators, clients, and partners
  • Serve as the primary UK regulatory lead, holding the Senior Management Functions (SMF 16/17) and acting as one of the main points of contact for the FCA
  • Lead the regulatory workstream for our UK SIPP launch, ensuring our pension products meet all specific tax and FCA requirements from day one
  • Oversee Financial Crime prevention, providing AML guidance, and maintaining oversight of fraud, bribery, and sanctions risks
  • Review and enhance the risk‐based Compliance Monitoring Programme (CMP). Ensure that our B2B partners are meeting their integrated compliance obligations
  • Implement data‐driven monitoring and reporting to ensure continuous adherence to COBS, CASS, SYSC, and the Consumer Duty
  • Partner with Product, Engineering and Growth teams to integrate compliance considerations into the development of new investment products and automated workflows, and provide guidance and support for client discussions on regulatory topics where required
  • Act as a senior advisor to the Board and Management providing independent challenge and translating complex UK regulatory developments into actionable strategic insights and policies
  • Lead and develop a high‐performing UK compliance function, fostering a culture of technical excellence, autonomy, and proactive risk mitigation

Head of Compliance & MLRO in London employer: Deepstreamtech

At Upvest, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a culture of compliance and innovation. Our dynamic work environment in the heart of the UK fintech sector offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, with a strong emphasis on leadership development and strategic thinking. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values integrity, fosters collaboration, and is dedicated to shaping the future of financial services.

Deepstreamtech

Contact Detail:

Deepstreamtech Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance & MLRO in London

Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with folks in the industry! Attend compliance and fintech events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.

Show Off Your Expertise

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with FCA rules and compliance frameworks. We want to see you confidently discuss your strategic thinking and how you've scaled compliance practices in previous roles. This is your time to shine!

Prepare for the Interview

Do your homework before any interview! Understand the company’s compliance challenges and think about how your background in AML and regulatory frameworks can help them. We suggest preparing some thoughtful questions that show you’re genuinely interested in their compliance culture and future plans.

Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you on board!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance & MLRO in London

Compliance Management
Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
FCA Regulations (COBS, Consumer Duty)
SIPP/Pensions Knowledge
Strategic Thinking
Problem Solving
Stakeholder Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Compliance & MLRO role. Highlight your 7+ years of experience in compliance and AML, especially within a UK-regulated environment. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!

Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate your expertise in the UK wealth/investments landscape. Use specific examples that show your understanding of FCA rules and how you've applied them in previous roles. This will help us see you as a strong candidate.

Be Strategic:In your application, reflect on your strategic thinking abilities. Share instances where you've successfully scaled compliance practices in a fast-paced environment. We’re looking for someone who can think ahead and adapt to our growth!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Deepstreamtech

Know Your Regulations Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in FCA rules, especially COBS and Consumer Duty. Brush up on your knowledge of SIPPs and pensions too, as this will be crucial for the role. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you’re ready to take on the responsibilities of Head of Compliance & MLRO.

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

Prepare examples of how you've scaled compliance practices in previous roles, particularly in fast-paced environments. Think about specific challenges you faced and how your strategic approach led to successful outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and adapt in a high-growth fintech setting.

Highlight Leadership Experience

Be ready to discuss your experience in managing stakeholders and building a compliance-focused culture. Share stories that illustrate your leadership style and how you’ve fostered collaboration across teams. This will help convey your capability to lead a high-performing compliance function.

Prepare for Complex Regulatory Discussions

Anticipate questions about interpreting complex regulatory frameworks and how you would translate these into actionable insights. Think about how you can provide independent challenge to the Board and Management, and prepare to discuss how you would approach regulatory developments in the UK.