Senior Financial Crime Specialist in City of London

We are working with a well-established, profitable international payments business to hire a Senior Compliance & Financial Crime Lead who will operate as the MLRO and Compliance Officer for the organisation. This is a critical, high-impact role where you’ll take ownership of the financial crime framework, ensure regulatory compliance, and play a key part in supporting the company’s continued international growth. The business operates in the cross-border payments/remittance space, serving global customers and handling high-volume transactions across multiple jurisdictions.

Why This Role?

• Established & Profitable Business – Not a start-up. A trusted player with a strong reputation in international payments
• Meaningful Impact – Your work directly supports global communities and financial inclusion
• Growth & Expansion – Entering new markets and jurisdictions, creating real scope for influence
• Autonomy & Ownership – A key leadership hire with direct impact on compliance strategy
• Values-Driven Culture – Customer-first, fast-moving, and commercially aware

The Role

You will act as the MLRO and senior compliance lead, responsible for strengthening and managing the organisation’s AML/CTF framework and broader compliance programme. This role requires someone who can operate both strategically and hands-on, partnering with stakeholders across the business while maintaining robust regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for all financial crime and compliance matters
• Lead and enhance the AML/CTF framework, ensuring ongoing effectiveness
• Stay ahead of regulatory developments and advise the business on risks, trends, and changes
• Conduct financial crime risk assessments and deliver clear reporting to senior stakeholders
• Own and evolve the Compliance Monitoring Programme (including transaction monitoring tools)
• Oversee transaction surveillance and reporting, including SARs to the NCA
• Maintain and develop AML policies, procedures, and compliance documentation
• Contribute to the annual MLRO report and enterprise risk assessments
• Deliver training and promote a strong compliance culture across the business
• Support expansion into new jurisdictions, ensuring regulatory readiness

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Current or prior MLRO, Deputy MLRO, or Financial Crime Compliance Lead experience
• Registered as a PSD Individual (FCA) or Fit & Proper (HMRC)
• Strong experience within: Money transfer/remittance, Payments/e-money institutions (EMIs)
• Deep understanding of: UK & EU AML frameworks, Sanctions regimes, Financial crime risk in payments businesses
• Proven ability to translate complex regulation into practical business actions

Desirable

• Experience across multiple jurisdictions
• Exposure to scaling or expanding businesses
• Familiarity with transaction monitoring systems (e.g. Remittance platforms)

The Person

• Commercially aware, not just regulatory
• Confident advising senior stakeholders
• Hands-on and detail-oriented
• Comfortable operating in a growing, fast-paced environment
• Collaborative, pragmatic, and solutions-focused

Working Pattern & Benefits

• Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm
• Location: Hammersmith (5 days in office)
• Discretionary annual bonus
• 25 days holiday + birthday off
• Pension (statutory)
• Laptop provided

If you’re an experienced MLRO or Financial Crime leader looking for a role where you can truly shape compliance strategy within a growing international payments business, we’d love to hear from you.