At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance and MLRO responsibilities in a fast-growing FinTech environment.
- Company: Rapidly growing financial services business with a focus on digital payments.
- Benefits: Fully remote position with significant influence and autonomy.
- Other info: Join an ambitious team and make a real impact in the financial services sector.
- Why this job: Shape compliance strategy and engage directly with executive leadership and regulators.
- Qualifications: Senior compliance experience in FCA-regulated businesses and strong AML knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
To be considered for this opportunity, you must meet the following criteria:
- Resident in the United Kingdom
- Eligible and suitable to hold FCA Senior Management Functions SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (Money Laundering Reporting Officer)
- Previous experience as an MLRO, Deputy MLRO, Head of Compliance, or equivalent senior compliance leader within a UK regulated financial services business
- Strong experience engaging directly with the FCA, law enforcement agencies, auditors, and senior management
- Deep expertise across AML, financial crime, sanctions, compliance monitoring, governance, and regulatory compliance
The opportunity:
This is a critical appointment combining both Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer responsibilities for the UK entity. The successful candidate will take ownership of the firm's UK compliance framework, regulatory engagement strategy, financial crime programme, and governance structure. You will work closely with executive leadership, international compliance teams, regulators, and external stakeholders to ensure the business continues to operate to the highest regulatory standards.
Key responsibilities:
- Compliance Oversight (SMF16): Own and maintain the UK compliance framework, develop and implement compliance policies, procedures, and controls, lead compliance monitoring and assurance activities, advise senior management on regulatory developments and obligations, present compliance matters to executive and board-level stakeholders, coordinate regulatory audits, reviews, and information requests, build a strong culture of compliance across the organization.
- MLRO Responsibilities (SMF17): Act as the firm's nominated MLRO, maintain and continuously enhance the AML, CTF, and sanctions framework, review and oversee suspicious activity investigations and reporting, manage SAR submissions and regulatory notifications where required, lead financial crime risk assessments and controls testing, oversee transaction monitoring, customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, and sanctions screening frameworks, act as the primary point of contact for law enforcement and financial crime authorities.
- Regulatory engagement: Build and maintain effective relationships with UK regulators, support regulatory applications, registrations, and ongoing supervisory engagement, respond to FCA requests, reviews, and information gathering exercises, ensure regulatory reporting obligations are fulfilled accurately and on time.
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience in a senior UK compliance leadership role
- Experience operating within FCA-regulated businesses
- Strong understanding of UK financial services regulation
- Demonstrated success engaging with regulators and external authorities
- Deep knowledge of AML, financial crime, sanctions, and compliance governance
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Comfortable operating autonomously within a fast-paced environment
Highly desirable: Experience gained within one or more of the following sectors: FinTech, Payments, Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs), Digital Assets / Crypto, Foreign Exchange, Banking, Regulated Financial Services. Experience holding, obtaining, or supporting FCA Senior Management Function approvals will be viewed particularly favorably.
Why Apply?
- Senior leadership position with significant influence and visibility
- Direct interaction with executive leadership and key regulators
- Opportunity to shape and strengthen a growing UK compliance function
- High level of ownership and autonomy
- Fully remote UK-based position
- Join an ambitious and fast-scaling international financial services business.
If you meet the criteria above and are interested in discussing the opportunity confidentially, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Locations
Head of Compliance & MLRO in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Global Fintech Talent
As a rapidly growing financial services business, we offer an exceptional opportunity for the Head of Compliance & MLRO to shape and influence our compliance strategy in a dynamic, technology-driven environment. Our fully remote UK-based position provides significant autonomy and direct interaction with executive leadership and key regulators, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. We are committed to employee growth, offering a supportive work culture that values compliance excellence and encourages professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance & MLRO in Cheshire, Warrington
✨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 Global Fintech Talent looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance & MLRO in Cheshire, Warrington
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 Global Fintech Talent. 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 Global Fintech Talent
✨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 Global Fintech Talent’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!