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- Tasks: Lead compliance operations and oversee financial crime controls in a dynamic payments environment.
- Company: Join Paysend, a global leader in innovative payment solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a global impact while thriving in a principle-driven culture that values your contributions.
- Qualifications: 5-7+ years in senior compliance roles, ideally with MLRO experience in fintech or money transfer.
- Other info: Collaborate with international teams and drive compliance in a fast-paced, high-growth setting.
The predicted salary is between 84000 - 126000 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 (London) employer: Paysend
Contact Detail:
Paysend Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of UK Compliance & MLRO (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the compliance and fintech sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with people who work at Paysend or similar companies. Building these relationships can give you insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest regulatory changes and trends in the UK payments landscape. Being knowledgeable about current issues will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed compliance frameworks in previous roles. Highlight your experience with KYC, AML, and financial crime controls, as these are crucial for the Deputy Head of UK Compliance & MLRO position.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with Paysend's products and services. Understanding their business model and how compliance plays a role in their operations will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of UK Compliance & MLRO (London)
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, clearly articulate your understanding of the compliance landscape in the fintech industry. Mention specific regulations you have worked with and how your experience aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing a team, provide examples of your leadership experience. Highlight instances where you have mentored junior staff or led compliance initiatives that resulted in significant improvements.
Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities: Include examples of how you've tackled compliance challenges in previous roles. Discuss your approach to balancing regulatory requirements with business needs, showcasing your pragmatic problem-solving skills.
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.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a senior role, it's crucial to exhibit your leadership capabilities. Share instances where you've led teams or projects, focusing on how you inspired and developed junior members while fostering a strong compliance culture.
✨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 pragmatically.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Show your interest in the company by asking insightful questions about their compliance strategies and challenges. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values and career goals.
