At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance for a high-growth payments business, ensuring regulatory adherence and innovative AI integration.
- Company: Dynamic VC-backed firm revolutionising cross-border payments and FX.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and the chance to shape compliance in a modern environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow into MLRO role with a focus on AI-driven compliance solutions.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of compliance in a rapidly evolving fintech landscape with real impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in payments compliance and a proactive approach to regulatory challenges.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Own the compliance function end to end at a high-growth, VC-backed cross-border payments and FX business - Initally joining as Deputy MLRO and stepping up to MLRO as the firm's UK regulatory footprint expands.
A rare lead-and-build mandate with genuine FCA ownership.
ABOUT THE ROLE Our client moves money across borders: payments, FX and international money movement between the UK and high-growth international markets.
You'll take full ownership of compliance, reporting to executive leadership, with a mandate to build a modern, AI-forward function where smart tooling does the analytical heavy lifting, and people make the decisions - meeting both FCA and commercial requirements.
You'll act as the firm's primary point of contact with the FCA.
- WHAT YOU'LL OWN
- The end-to-end compliance and regulatory framework for cross-border payments, FX and international money movement - the core of this role
- Deputy MLRO on joining, progressing to MLRO, with a central role in the firm's UK licensing roadmap
- AML, CFT, sanctions screening, KYC and transaction monitoring across payment flows, payouts and merchant activity
- Regulator engagement, licensing and reporting - FCA, central banks and payment authorities
- Embedding AI and Reg Tech tooling into compliance operations, so the team makes decisions on top of first-class automated analysis
- Compliant operating models for collections, payouts, FX and cross-border flows in each market WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Deep, hands-on cross-border payments and FX compliance experience - this is the core of the role (a background solely in open banking, card processing or crypto custody won't be the right fit)
- MLRO or Deputy MLRO experience at an FCA-authorised firm; current or recent FCA approval (SMF17 and/or SMF16), or immediately eligible
- 8+ years in compliance, regulatory or risk roles within payments, fintech or financial services
- Strong knowledge of UK payments regulation (PSRs, EMRs, PSD2) and hands-on AML/CTF operations
- Experience taking a firm through FCA authorisation or registration
- A risk-based, commercial mindset: you present risks with pragmatic options and help the business decide - a partner to growth in a well-controlled environment
- Genuine, hands-on AI curiosity: you already use AI tools, automations or agents in your workflow (years of AI experience not expected - active usage is)
- UK-based and eligible to work in the UK
- Available to start within 90 days NICE TO HAVE
- Stablecoin payments exposure
- Emerging-markets exposure
- ICA Diploma, CCEP or equivalent certification PACKAGE
Head of Compliance & MLRO employer: How Ya Doing
How Ya Doing is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the fast-paced fintech sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership, driving impactful projects while utilising cutting-edge AI technologies. Located in the heart of the UK, we provide a supportive environment where your contributions are valued, and your career can flourish.
