Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) - Part Time in Cheadle

Benefits of working at Charles Street:

• 26 days holiday, and a day off for your birthday (increasing with service to 30 days), plus bank holidays
• Free access to company holiday homes
• Buy & sell holidays
• Discretionary annual bonus plus an additional Shared Reward Bonus
• Matched pension contribution
• Health cash plan plus Private medical insurance
• Life assurance and Critical illness cover
• Travel season ticket loans and Ride to work scheme
• Free local gym access
• Local bar / restaurant discounts

Company Description:

Charles Street Finance ("CSF") is a specialist secured lender based in Cheadle, South Manchester. Established in 1983, we’re a small team but have doubled the size of the loan book over 2 years such that we are seeking to grow and enhance the existing personnel in key areas to further facilitate our ambitions. We are all about a common‑sense proposition built around attention to detail and speed of response whilst always putting the customer at the heart of everything we do. A can‑do approach fuels our speed of response from enquiry through to payment. Honesty and integrity are fundamental principles across the customer journey and the many long‑standing relationships we have cultivated are testament to our service levels and reliability.

Job Description:

As our Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) you will lead the development, oversight and continual improvement of our financial crime framework for Charles Street. This is a pivotal role, particularly in supporting the Annex 1 authorisation, where we require a highly credible MLRO who can engage confidently with the FCA, demonstrate strong oversight, and evidence an appropriately mature control environment. Following the initial project and authorisation phase, ongoing BAU activity is expected to be proportionate to the size and nature of our business. As such, we are open to part‑time arrangements for an experienced MLRO who can provide high‑quality oversight in a focused time commitment. For candidates seeking a full‑time role, we also welcome applications from individuals interested in contributing more broadly across the group’s risk and governance activities, enabling a wider remit beyond financial crime while maintaining clear accountability for MLRO responsibilities.

As our Money Laundering Reporting Officer, we are looking for someone to:

• Fulfil all statutory responsibilities of the MLRO under UK legislation and regulation, including ownership of financial crime policies, procedures and controls
• Lead the application process for an Annex 1 authorisation, acting as a senior point of contact with the FCA
• Oversee day‑to‑day operation of the financial crime framework, including due diligence, customer risk assessment, transaction monitoring and SAR handling
• Act as the firm’s nominated officer for the investigation and disclosure of suspicious activity to the National Crime Agency (NCA)
• Conduct and maintain the enterprise‑wide risk assessment (EWRA), ensuring it reflects the business model, regulatory expectations and evolving risk profile
• Provide senior‑level reporting including the annual MLRO Report, Board updates, and escalation of key issues or emerging risks
• Oversee compliance with Sanctions requirements, PEP management and customer/counterparty exits
• Manage enhanced due diligence processes for higher‑risk cases and engage with senior stakeholders where required
• Ensure systems used for screening, fraud monitoring, customer risk scoring and transaction monitoring are appropriately configured, documented and effective

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Extensive experience in AML compliance, preferably within the financial services sector
• Strong understanding of financial crime risk identification, assessment, quantification, mitigation and monitoring methods
• Technical understanding of the potential risks associated with lending products/schemes, delivery channels and services
• Highly developed analytical skills including the ability to create and communicate reports to key stakeholders
• Understanding how systems for screening, fraud monitoring, customer risk modelling and transaction monitoring operate (including inputs into / outputs from those systems)

Desirable:

• Relevant certifications such as CAMS (Certified Anti‑Money Laundering Specialist) or ICA (International Compliance Association)
• Experience acting as MLRO or Deputy MLRO in a business where elements of the financial crime framework are outsourced, including oversight of third‑party providers and assurance of outsourced controls

Additional Information:

Charles Street embraces diversity and inclusion, and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Not only do we welcome difference – we celebrate it, support it and really value our colleagues for who they are. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. If you feel you’d benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process. Please note that all successful applicants will undergo relevant employment reference, financial and criminal record checks.