Fractional Head of Compliance / MLRO (SMF17) – International Payments / Fintech
The Organisation
An established European payments service provider is seeking a senior fractional Compliance leader and MLRO to support its UK expansion and FCA authorisation process.
The business is preparing for UK regulatory approval and requires an experienced compliance professional to help design and embed a robust financial crime, AML, and regulatory compliance framework ahead of launch. Expected to be a 1–2 day per week engagement.
The Role
The Fractional MLRO will provide strategic and hands‑on leadership across compliance and financial crime prevention during a critical phase of UK regulatory setup. Working closely with founders, advisers, and senior stakeholders, the role will ensure the business meets FCA expectations for governance, AML/CTF controls, and ongoing compliance oversight.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as (or prepare to act as) MLRO (SMF17) during FCA authorisation and UK market entry
- Design and embed AML/CTF, sanctions, and financial crime frameworks
- Ensure regulatory compliance across payments operations and multi‑currency activity
- Develop compliance policies, controls, monitoring, and reporting structures
- Support FCA engagement, submissions, and ongoing regulatory dialogue
- Oversee transaction monitoring, risk assessments, and suspicious activity reporting processes
- Advise leadership on regulatory obligations, risk appetite, and governance
- Build scalable compliance operations aligned to growth and UK regulatory requirements
The Desired Candidate
- Proven experience as MLRO, Head of Compliance, or senior financial crime leader within fintech, payments, or financial services
- Strong knowledge of FCA regulation and UK AML/CTF requirements
- Experience operating in regulated payments or multi-jurisdictional environments
- Familiarity with FCA SM&CR regime (ideally SMF17 experience)
- Strong stakeholder management skills with regulators, boards, and senior leadership
- Hands‑on, pragmatic, and comfortable working in a fractional or advisory capacity
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Fractional MLRO - Payments / Fintech employer: Russam
At Russam, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values expertise and fosters a collaborative work culture. As an Interim CFO for Sale Readiness & Due Diligence, you will have the opportunity to work alongside seasoned professionals in a dynamic environment that encourages personal and professional growth. Our commitment to employee development, coupled with our focus on impactful financial strategies, makes us an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the heart of the Private Equity sector.
