At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance efforts in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing for Shopify's UK operations.
- Company: Join Shopify, a dynamic tech company empowering entrepreneurs globally.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of commerce while ensuring compliance in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Proven AML/CTF leadership experience and strong regulatory knowledge required.
- Other info: Embrace change and thrive in a digital-first workplace.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
About The Role
As Shopify seeks our UK Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license, we are looking for a strategic and experienced compliance MLRO to lead our UK Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) and Counter‑Terrorist Financing (CTF) efforts. You will be responsible for the licensing process and, post‑licensure, the day‑to‑day AML/CTF execution and suspicious reporting governance to ensure our UK compliance program is meeting regulatory expectations.
Team Overview
Within the Shopify Legal Team, the Compliance Team aims to ensure that Shopify is compliant with regulatory and contractual commitments while remaining agile to encourage growth and innovation. As Shopify continues to expand its financial products and services, we’re also expanding our Compliance Program to support Shopify’s mission of making commerce better for everyone. Our team’s mission is to implement and enforce policies and procedures that ensure Shopify complies with applicable laws and regulations so our merchants, partners, and third parties can trust us.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead effort to obtain EMI licence in the UK, including designing our AML/CTF programme to align with the UK's financial crimes regulations.
- Act as a key interface for the FCA and other relevant authorities on financial crime topics (information requests, meetings, supervisory engagement).
- Own and maintain the UK entity’s risk‑based AML/CTF programme (risk assessment, policies, procedures, controls, and governance cadence).
- Lead UK suspicious activity governance: receive internal escalations, make SAR filing decisions, submit SARs to the NCA, and manage post‑filing confidentiality and follow‑up.
- Oversee UK AML operations performance and effectiveness, including KYC/CDD/EDD standards, investigations, transaction monitoring and screening governance, and quality assurance/testing.
- Provide regular reporting to senior management and the entity’s board; escalating material issues promptly.
- Maintain audit/exam readiness and drive remediation of findings.
About You
- Significant AML/CTF leadership experience in a UK‑regulated or UK‑facing financial institution (payments/e‑money strongly preferred), including ownership of a risk‑based AML programme.
- Direct MLRO / nominated officer experience (or demonstrably equivalent responsibility) including SAR decisioning and filing and management of SAR confidentiality constraints.
- Strong working knowledge of UK AML expectations for payments/e‑money firms, including CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening governance, investigations, and record‑keeping.
- Experience building or scaling AML controls for new products, high‑growth volumes, or distributed operations teams.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a management board and to provide concise, defensible escalation and reporting.
- Experience engaging with regulators/supervisors and managing audit/exam activity and remediation.
- Ability to meet “fit and proper” expectations for a regulated key control role (including background screening).
- Ability to travel for in‑person meetings, as needed (e.g., with regulators, financial partners).
Nice to have
- CAMS / ICA or comparable certification.
Shopify Opportunity is not evenly distributed. Shopify puts independence within reach for anyone with a dream to start a business. We propel entrepreneurs and enterprises to scale the heights of their potential. Since 2006, we’ve grown to over 8,300 employees and generated over $1 trillion in sales for millions of merchants in 175 countries. This is life‑defining work that directly impacts people’s lives as much as it transforms your own. This is putting the power of the few in the hands of the many, is a future with more voices rather than fewer, and is creating more choices instead of an elite option. Moving at our pace brings a lot of change, complexity, and ambiguity—and a little bit of chaos. Shopifolk thrive on that and are comfortable being uncomfortable. That means Shopify is not the right place for everyone.
Before you apply, consider if you can:
- Care deeply about what you do and about making commerce better for everyone.
- Excel by seeking professional and personal hyper‑growth.
- Keep up with an unrelenting pace (the week, not the quarter).
- Be resilient and resourceful in face of ambiguity and thrive on (rather than endure) change.
- Bring critical thought and opinion.
- Put AI agents and tools to work on the tasks they’re built for, and focus on the work only humans can do.
- Embrace differences and disagreement to get things done and move forward.
- Work digital‑first for your daily work.
We may use AI‑enabled tools to screen, select, and assess applications. All AI outputs are reviewed and validated by our recruitment team.
Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) / Nominated Officer - United Kingdom (United Kingdom) employer: Shopify
Contact Detail:
Shopify Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) / Nominated Officer - United Kingdom (United Kingdom)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the compliance and financial sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your AML/CTF knowledge. Be ready to discuss real-world scenarios and how you've handled compliance challenges in the past. Show them you’re not just a candidate, but a solution provider!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly gives you a better shot at being noticed by our recruitment team. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) / Nominated Officer - United Kingdom (United Kingdom)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the MLRO role. Highlight your relevant experience in AML/CTF and how it aligns with Shopify's mission. We want to see how you can contribute to our compliance efforts!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use specific examples of how you've led AML programmes or engaged with regulators. This helps us understand the impact you've made in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point—just like we do in our work!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shopify
✨Know Your AML/CTF Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the UK’s AML and CTF regulations. Brush up on the latest compliance requirements and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with Shopify's mission to ensure regulatory compliance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an MLRO, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led AML programmes or managed teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to engage with regulators and manage audits.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you had to make tough decisions regarding suspicious activity reporting or risk assessments, and be prepared to explain your thought process.
✨Emphasise Your Adaptability
Shopify thrives in a fast-paced environment, so be ready to discuss how you've adapted to change in previous roles. Share examples of how you've implemented new controls or processes in response to evolving regulations or business needs.