At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance for crypto and cross-border payments, ensuring regulatory adherence and financial crime controls.
- Company: Fast-growing payments business focused on African markets with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, equity package, and remote work options.
- Other info: Opportunity to embed AI tools and build a high-performing compliance team.
- Why this job: Join a pioneering team at the forefront of crypto regulation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 8-12 years in compliance with strong crypto and cross-border payments experience.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 130000 £ per year.
A fast-growing cross-border payments business moving money across African markets is hiring a Head of Compliance & MLRO. They run local collections, corporate treasury and FX, and automated payouts, with hybrid fiat and stablecoin settlement. They sit inside a payments group that raised a $55m Series B in 2025 and has just won a hard licence in its home market. Crypto is where the regulatory work is. This role leads it.
What you'll do
- Own the crypto and stablecoin regulatory agenda: permissions, registrations and the regulator relationships behind them
- Build the financial crime controls for crypto and stablecoin flows: wallet screening, travel rule, chain analytics, monitoring
- Run the compliance framework for the core payments business: collections, payouts, domestic acquiring, FX, and cross-border flows
- Lead AML, CFT, sanctions, and transaction monitoring, plus KYC and merchant due diligence
- Act as MLRO for UK operations and primary contact with the FCA
- Oversee Merchant-of-Record tax, VAT, and settlement reporting
- Manage due diligence on local PSPs, acquiring partners, and banks
- Embed AI and RegTech tooling across the function, and build the team
What you need
- Crypto is at the center of your recent experience. You have worked at a firm handling crypto or stablecoin authorization. You do not need to have run the application yourself
- Real cross-border payments and FX experience, with working knowledge of the PSRs, EMRs, and PSD2
- Multi-country compliance experience, ideally including emerging markets
- 8 to 12+ years in compliance, regulatory, or risk roles in payments or fintech
- Commercial judgment. Someone who finds the conditions under which a corridor works, not someone whose instinct is no
- Fluency with AI tooling and a strong grounding in risk
- UK-based, with the right to work in the UK without sponsorship. A UK presence is a regulatory requirement
- You do not need to hold or have held SMF15, SMF16 or SMF17
Stand out: Emerging-market, mobile money or MoR experience is a plus.
Head of Compliance in London employer: How Ya Doing
Join a dynamic and innovative cross-border payments business that is at the forefront of the crypto revolution. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer competitive salaries, generous equity packages, and a collaborative work culture that values your contributions. Located in London, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you lead compliance efforts in a rapidly evolving market, making this an exciting opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the fintech space.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance in 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 How Ya Doing looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance in 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 How Ya Doing. 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 How Ya Doing
✨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 How Ya Doing’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
