At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance for Remitly's UK operations and ensure regulatory adherence.
- Company: Join a global fintech leader transforming money management for everyone.
- Benefits: Enjoy paid vacation, health insurance, and mental health support.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in financial services while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in financial compliance with FCA experience required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
At Remitly, we believe everyone deserves the freedom to access, move, and manage their money wherever life takes them. Since 2011, we've tirelessly delivered on our promise to customers sending money globally, providing secure, simple, and reliable ways to manage their money, ensuring true peace of mind. Whether it's supporting loved ones back home, growing a business across continents, or pursuing new opportunities abroad, we're not just here to move money— we're here to move our global customers forward.
We're looking for builders, reimaginers, and global thinkers who want to work at the intersection of technology, trust, and transformation. If that's you and you're ready to do the most meaningful work of your career—we invite you to join over 2,800 passionate Remitlians worldwide who are united by our vision to transform lives with trusted financial services that transcend borders.
About the Role: The Chief Compliance Officer and MLRO, UK is the senior compliance leader for Remitly's UK business, holding dual FCA Senior Management Function accountability as SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (Money Laundering Reporting Officer). This is a statutory officer position, personally accountable to the FCA, the local board, and local business leadership for the adequacy of Remitly UK's compliance and financial crime control framework.
This role operates as the local point of accountability while leveraging Remitly's global compliance platform, program design, and operations. The role's core value is translation: turning UK regulatory obligations into pragmatic, business-usable policy, and representing Remitly UK to the FCA, PSR, and NCA, weighing risk tradeoffs directly and advising business and leadership. It reports to the Regional Chief Compliance Officer, EMEA, and sits at the center of Remitly UK's relationship with the FCA, the Payment Systems Regulator, and the National Crime Agency. This is an individual contributor position (IC) with no managerial responsibility. This is a hybrid role (2-3 days per week onsite) based in our London office.
You Will:
- Hold personal FCA Senior Manager accountability for compliance oversight (SMF16) and AML/CTF (SMF17) across Remitly UK's regulated activities.
- Maintain and attest to the Statement of Responsibilities and Management Responsibilities Map under SM&CR.
- Serve as a statutory director of Remitly UK where required, answerable to the local board and business leadership.
- Adapt the global financial crime risk assessment, AML/CTF policy suite, and control library to Remitly UK's product footprint.
- Approve and file SARs with the NCA; act as primary point of contact for NCA and law enforcement requests.
- Oversee CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, and sanctions screening for UK-originated business.
- Translate FCA Handbook obligations into pragmatic policy and advice for local product, engineering, and operations teams.
- Advise the local board and UK leadership on compliance risk from new products, markets, or partner arrangements, making direct risk-tradeoff calls.
- Maintain the compliance elements of the Consumer Duty framework for Remitly UK's customer base.
- Serve as primary UK regulatory contact for the FCA, including supervisory engagement, RegData/GABRIEL returns, and notifications.
- Coordinate FCA authorisation variations, attestations, and skilled person reviews.
- Report UK compliance/financial crime status, KRIs, and material issues to the EMEA CCO, and local board.
- Maintain the UK open issues register and drive remediation to closure.
- Partner with Legal, Compliance, Product, Engineering, and Operations globally to embed UK requirements into product/process design.
- Model Remitly's culture of accountability and integrity as a connective point between global teams and Remitly UK.
You Have:
- 10+ years of UK financial services compliance/financial crime experience, including prior service as an FCA-approved Senior Manager (SMF16/17) or demonstrable readiness for approval.
- Deep knowledge of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, JMLSG Guidance, Payment Services Regulations 2017, and Electronic Money Regulations 2011.
- Direct experience with FCA supervisory engagement, SM&CR obligations, and SAR filing with the NCA.
- Familiarity with the PSR's APP fraud reimbursement regime.
- Experience as a statutory officer or director, comfortable carrying personal regulatory accountability.
- Ability to translate regulatory obligations into pragmatic policy and make independent risk-tradeoff calls.
- Comfort working within a centrally-designed global compliance platform rather than building parallel local infrastructure.
- Track record advising boards/executives on compliance risk in a cross-border, multi-entity financial group.
Our Benefits:
- Paid Vacation Days
- Health insurance
- Commuter benefit
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Mental Health & Family Forming Benefits
- Continuing education
Our Connected Work Culture: Driving Innovation, Together At Remitly, we believe that true innovation sparks when we come together. Our Connected Work Culture fosters dynamic in-person collaboration, where ideas ignite and challenging problems find solutions faster. For corporate team members, we have an in-office expectation of at least 50% of the time monthly, typically achieved by coming in three days a week. This creates a consistent, meaningful overlap that supports team norms and business needs. Managers also have the flexibility to set higher expectations based on their team's specific needs. These intentional in-office moments are vital for deepening relationships, fueling creativity, and ensuring your impact is felt where it matters most.
Remitly is an E-Verify Employer. At Remitly, we are dedicated to ensuring that our workplace offers equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates, in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Remitly is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Chief Compliance Officer in London employer: Remitly
Remitly is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive benefits including health insurance, generous paid vacation days, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), ensuring our team members feel valued and supported in their professional journey. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that prioritises innovation and customer experience in the global payments landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Compliance Officer 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 Remitly looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Compliance Officer 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 Remitly. 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 Remitly
✨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 Remitly’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!