At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to build compliance foundations and keep our platform safe as we grow.
- Company: Ethos, a fast-paced AI startup transforming opportunities with cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible remote work, and the chance to shape compliance from the ground up.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with rapid growth and real ownership of your projects.
- Why this job: Be a key player in a mission-driven team making a real impact in the AI industry.
- Qualifications: 2-5 years in compliance or fraud, with a knack for investigation and data handling.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
This role works directly for Ethos and is based in our London HQ, in Kings Cross. Successful candidates will be required to work in the office Monday to Thursday with Friday working remote.
Ethos is on a mission to make human opportunity abundant with AI. We use cutting-edge AI to match experts to paid opportunities at scale, from AI model training, investment research to full-time roles. We now pay out more than $1M/day to experts globally.
We're looking for a Compliance Associate to keep our platform, experts and clients safe as we grow. You’ll be our first dedicated compliance hire, building our compliance foundations from the ground up. You’ll own three connected areas: financial crime (KYC, AML and fraud) and regulation, data privacy, and information security. This is a hands-on role in a hyper-growth start-up. You’ll review flagged cases, investigate suspicious activity and respond to data requests. You’ll also write and own the policies behind that work. We're moving fast and you won't wait for problems to land; you’ll go looking for them.
What You'll Do
- Financial Crime and Regulation: Build and own our KYC, AML, sanctions and fraud policies, including clear rules for edge cases. Put them into practice day to day, and update them as regulation changes. Own our identity verification setup, making verification smooth for genuine experts and hard for everyone else. Investigate suspicious activity, from fraud patterns and account takeovers to unusual payment or login behaviour, and work with engineering to turn what you find into automated checks. Handle KYC/KYB requests and compliance reporting for our banks, payment partners and clients, and escalate suspicious activity to the right people. Apply expert tax and payout rules, including W-8/W-9 forms, platform reporting rules (such as DAC7) and country-specific requirements.
- Data Privacy: Handle data subject requests, such as access and erasure, within legal timeframes. Lead data protection impact assessments, and keep our privacy notices, records and retention rules current as the product evolves.
- Information Security: Own our information security policies and controls, from access management to incident and breach response, and drive our security certifications (such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001). Complete client security questionnaires and review the security and data protection of new vendors.
- Across Ethos: Keep a single compliance register of risks, controls and owners, and report monthly risk metrics to leadership and the board. Work with product, engineering and support to tighten controls without adding friction for experts.
Who You Are
- 2-5 years' experience in compliance, fraud or financial crime, ideally at a marketplace, or high volume payments startup.
- A strong grounding in KYC, AML, fraud and sanctions, and the judgement to apply them in proportion to the risk at a fast-moving business that isn’t a bank.
- Hands-on experience with an identity verification vendor such as Persona, Onfido, Sumsub or Veriff.
- Knowledge of UK GDPR and data protection is a big plus, or you're keen to learn it.
- Familiarity with information security frameworks such as SOC 2 or ISO 27001, or the appetite to build it quickly.
- A natural investigator: you read signals in context, not in isolation, you know when to decide and when to escalate, and you handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Comfortable pulling and checking your own data with SQL or a BI tool, quick to learn new tools, and you never present numbers you haven’t verified.
- A clear writer who can explain a decision to an expert, a bank or the board.
- Proactive, independent, and at home with pace and ambiguity.
- ICA or ACAMS certification is a plus.
Why Join Ethos
- Work at the centre of the AI industry, on projects that shape how the next generation of AI is built.
- Be part of an ambitious team building something genuinely new, leveraging AI for the future of expertise.
- We've grown revenue 84x since our Series A in March 2026, and we're only just getting started!
- Real ownership from the start. You'll run your own workstreams, not shadow someone else's.
Compliance Associate (Contract, London) employer: Ethos
Ethos is an exceptional employer that values innovation and flexibility, offering a fully remote work environment that empowers employees to excel in their roles. With a strong focus on professional development, team collaboration, and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI technology, employees can expect meaningful growth and a supportive culture that fosters creativity and excellence in financial analysis.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Compliance Associate (Contract, London)
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Ethos looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Compliance Associate (Contract, London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Ethos. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ethos
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Ethos’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
