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- Tasks: Lead compliance operations and oversee financial crime controls in a dynamic payments environment.
- Company: Join Paysend, a global fintech innovator transforming money transfers for millions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while collaborating with diverse teams in a principle-driven culture.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years in senior compliance roles, ideally with MLRO experience in fintech.
- Other info: Work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with a focus on continuous learning.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 140000 ÂŁ per year.
Join to apply for the Deputy Head of UK Compliance & MLRO role at Paysend
Join to apply for the Deputy Head of UK Compliance & MLRO role at Paysend
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Reporting directly to the Global Head of Compliance, you’ll serve as a key senior leader in the compliance team for our regulated entity Paysend PLC. As well as Deputy Head of UK Compliance you will be delegated responsibility as MLRO having second-line oversight of our compliance and financial crime framework.
This is a critical role requiring a blend of regulatory expertise, leadership, and pragmatic problem-solving to help us stay ahead in an evolving payments landscape. You’ll collaborate closely with senior leadership, the Board, the regulators, and internal stakeholders, balancing regulatory requirements with commercial realities to drive sustainable growth.
What You\’ll Do (Responsibilities):
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Oversight:
- Lead day-to-day compliance operations across the UK business, including oversight of financial crime controls, KYC/KYB processes, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting.
- Own and evolve the Compliance Monitoring Plan and Financial Crime Risk Framework in line with FCA expectations (EMRs, PSRs, SYSC, JMLSG) and industry best practice.
- Act as MLRO, managing internal and external financial crime reporting, including drafting and submitting SARs.
- Maintain a strong regulatory relationship with the FCA and other relevant bodies, supporting regulatory reporting and supervisory interactions.
Governance & Reporting:
- Drive Board and Executive Committee reporting on compliance and financial crime risks, controls, and incidents.
- Provide senior-level advice on emerging regulatory developments and risks affecting the payments and e-money sector.
- Lead internal compliance reporting and assurance activities, working with Audit and Risk Committees.
- Manage and develop a high-performing second-line compliance and financial crime team, supporting continuous learning and career growth.
- Foster a strong compliance culture across the business, working with first-line functions to drive ownership of risk and controls without compromising agility.
Cross-Functional Leadership:
- Partner with Product, Engineering, Operations, and Legal teams to embed compliance and financial crime requirements into new products and processes.
- Provide second-line oversight of first-line activities (but not direct operational management), ensuring risk ownership sits with the right teams.
What You’ll Need To Be Successful In This Role:
- 5–7+ years in a senior compliance role in the UK, ideally as an MLRO, Deputy MLRO, Senior Compliance Manager, or equivalent.
- Direct experience in UK FCA-regulated money transfer, e-money, or fintech environments (directly comparable firms preferred).
- In-depth working knowledge of EMRs, PSRs, AML/CTF obligations (MLRs 2017), JMLSG guidance, and relevant FCA handbooks.
- Proven success designing and scaling compliance and AML frameworks in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Strong expertise in KYC (both retail and corporate / KYB)
- Strong expertise in screening practices (PEPs, sanctions, adverse media), with a detailed understanding of the UK sanction regimes and programs that affect it.
- Strong experience of building transaction monitoring and fraud prevention controls using proprietary and third party systems.
- Comfortable interacting with the FCA and presenting to the Board and senior leadership teams.
- Proactive, commercially-minded, and pragmatic approach to compliance and risk management.
- Strong leadership and mentoring skills, able to inspire and develop junior team members.
- A desire to be both hands on and drive oversight and team ownership
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage ambiguity and competing priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- ICA, ACAMS, or equivalent compliance/AML qualifications.
- Experience with global payments, cross-border money movement, E-money, Enterprise and correspondent relationships, international card schemes.
- Prior experience working in a scale-up or high-growth fintech environment.
Why Join Paysend?
- Make a Global Impact: Directly impact millions of users worldwide
- Accelerate Your Career: Benefit from internal mobility, mentoring programs, and continuous learning opportunities
- Thrive in a Connected, Global Organization: Collaborate with colleagues across our international hubs and more
- Embrace a Principle-Driven & Focused Culture: Work in an organization guided by strong principles and values that actually help you achieve more than you thought possible
- Enjoy Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Receive a competitive salary, benefits, and flexible work arrangements
Seniority level
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Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
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Employment type
Full-time
Job function
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Job function
Finance
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Deputy Head of UK Compliance & MLRO employer: Paysend
Contact Detail:
Paysend Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of UK Compliance & MLRO
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the compliance and fintech sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with individuals who may have insights into the role or even know someone at Paysend.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest FCA regulations and compliance trends. Being well-versed in current regulatory changes will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed compliance teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you’ve inspired team members or improved compliance processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Paysend’s business model and recent developments. Understanding their products and how compliance plays a role in their operations will help you tailor your discussions during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of UK Compliance & MLRO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in compliance, particularly in the UK financial sector. Emphasise your roles related to MLRO responsibilities and any direct interactions with regulatory bodies like the FCA.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for compliance and financial crime prevention. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed compliance frameworks or led teams in previous roles, showcasing your leadership skills.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list any compliance or AML qualifications you hold, such as ICA or ACAMS. This will demonstrate your commitment to the field and your readiness for the responsibilities of the Deputy Head of UK Compliance & MLRO role.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've tackled complex compliance challenges in fast-paced environments. This will illustrate your pragmatic approach and ability to manage ambiguity, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Paysend
✨Showcase Your Regulatory Expertise
Make sure to highlight your in-depth knowledge of UK FCA regulations and compliance frameworks. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated regulatory challenges or implemented compliance measures.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Head, you'll need strong leadership abilities. Share instances where you've led teams or projects, focusing on how you inspired and developed junior members. This will show that you're not just a compliance expert but also a capable leader.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about potential compliance issues that could arise in the payments landscape and how you would address them. This will demonstrate your pragmatic approach to compliance.
✨Foster a Compliance Culture
Be ready to discuss how you've previously fostered a strong compliance culture within an organisation. Highlight strategies you've used to engage first-line functions and ensure risk ownership is shared across teams, which is crucial for this role.
