Head of Compliance Operations > in London

About the Role

We’re seeking a Head of Compliance Operations to lead our Global Operational Compliance team. You will be setting policy and strategic direction in our efforts in combating financial crime, including money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing and proliferation financing. Depending on experience, you may act as the MLRO for the UK entities.

What You’ll Do

• You’ll ensure that the Group carries on its operations in a manner compliant with relevant financial regulations, namely in respect to money laundering, maintaining oversight through a dotted line for overseas operational compliance.
• You will represent the Group to its key stakeholders, both internal and external, including auditors, regulators, banking counterparties and law enforcement to ensure ongoing strong governance across multiple forums.
• Providing Senior Management approval for Group high-risk matters, including but not limited to PEP approvals and concerns related to money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, financial crime and any other matters under your remit.
• You will perform AML risk assessments at Group and regional levels and with respect to any new products, services, markets, jurisdictions and/or engagements the Group proposes.
• You will lead a team of qualified Compliance Analysts and oversee the first line compliance teams to ensure that they are acting within the Group’s risk and compliance framework operational processes, defining KPIs for each team member, monitoring delivery of these KPIs and ensuring ongoing high performance.
• Providing key Management Information (MI) and metrics to the Board with respect to AML, Fraud and other financial crime matters, as well as leading on all research and activities needed to draft and update the Group’s and regional Annual MLRO Reports.
• You will ensure that all customer applications and payments across the Group are handled in strict accordance with the Group’s risk and compliance framework, including training staff in the first and second line of defence to ensure awareness of AML and Financial Crime risks and the processes required to ensure escalation and reporting to the MLRO.
• Monitoring the activities of staff on a daily basis and identifying gaps in adherence, competence or training, acting as the point of escalation for all teams on AML and operational compliance.

What You’ll Need

• Expert level understanding in operational compliance with a background in AML Regulation in the UK and Europe (minimum) and globally (ideal) and a demonstrated deep understanding of AML risk posed to Payments and E-money firms.
• Capability of interpreting regulatory requirements (namely on AML) into highly efficient, compliant practices.
• Knowledge of operational tasks, including customer onboarding, transaction monitoring and SARs processes.
• Ability to provide advice and guidance to all levels of the business across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong ability to work well under pressure, prioritising, taking responsibility and meeting tight deadlines.
• Experience or an appreciation of the challenges and development opportunities of working at a fast growing, technology-led enterprise.
• Strong people management and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a diverse and global group of highly skilled compliance employees.

Bonus Points

• Previous compliance experience within a cross-border payments service that focuses on FX.
• Experience in supporting the business with matters around automation of compliance systems and controls.