At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale our UK financial crime function while ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join a fast-growing fintech redefining business banking in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and endless learning opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team in a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial services and shape the future of fintech.
- Qualifications: 6-10 years in financial crime roles with deep knowledge of UK regulations.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
We believe that businesses of all sizes deserve better financial and payment products and services. Traditionally, businesses are let down by slow applications, protracted onboarding, opaque pricing, restrictive contracts and outdated solutions that no longer meet the innovative requirements of modern business. We started our journey four years ago, and have since helped tens of thousands of Australian businesses reduce the complexity and time taken to take and make payments, manage complex fleets of payment hardware, store and save money and lead the conversation in business-to-business fintech. We’re now expanding our industry and world-leading capabilities into the United Kingdom.
Our company is backed by leading global VCs, and brings together experienced payment and tech industry professionals who are aiming to redefine business banking and the way businesses get paid by their customers. If you are passionate, curious, hungry and seeking an opportunity to make your mark on Fintech in the United Kingdom, with the strength of a global team behind you - we’d love to talk to you. This is a unique opportunity to shape, direct and build better financial services for all UK businesses.
About the role
We are seeking an experienced Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to lead and scale our UK financial crime function. Having recently secured our EMI license from the FCA, we are entering an exciting phase of growth – and this role is central to ensuring our compliance capability keeps pace with our ambitions.
As MLRO, you will own our AML and CTF framework end-to-end: setting strategy, managing regulatory relationships, and building a high-performing team equipped to support a rapidly scaling payments business. You will sit at the heart of our Risk & Compliance Operations function in the UK, acting as the FCA’s primary point of contact.
You will work in close partnership with our Global Risk & Compliance hubs, leveraging world-class regulatory technology and proprietary tooling to stay ahead of evolving financial crime threats — without compromising the customer experience. You will report to our UK Managing Director and provide support to our local Board, while maintaining close organisational connection to our Global COO and UK Senior Fraud Lead.
This role would suit financial crime professionals with 6 - 10 years of experience, a deep understanding of the UK AML / CTF regime, and a proven track record of building and scaling compliance functions within fast-growth fintech or paytech environments.
Role responsibilities
- Scaling the Compliance Function
- Drive the maturation and scaling of our AML/CTF framework to support rapid business growth, ensuring controls remain robust and proportionate as volumes, products, and geographies expand.
- Continuously assess the adequacy of the compliance function and proactively resource it ahead of growth milestones.
- Lead the evolution of our financial crime strategy, identifying emerging risks and translating them into practical, scalable controls.
- Champion automation and process improvement across AML/CTF, onboarding, and risk operations to build a best-in-class, efficient compliance function.
- Team Leadership
- Lead, develop and retain a high-performing Financial Crime operations team, creating clear career pathways, and building deep institutional expertise.
- Engage with audit staff to execute reviews and implement recommendations.
- Foster a compliance culture throughout the organisation.
- Regulatory Oversight & Reporting
- Serve as the FCA’s primary regulatory contact, maintaining a proactive and transparent relationship with our supervisor.
- Own our regulatory reporting obligations to the FCA, ensuring timely, accurate, and complete submissions.
- Monitor the regulatory horizon — tracking FCA policy developments and industry trends — and design proportionate responses.
- Oversee complaints escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service, ensuring robust and timely resolution.
- Risk Management & Controls
- Own the Business-Wide Risk Assessment, keeping it current and ensuring it accurately reflects our evolving risk profile.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate financial crime risks across money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing.
- Optimise our transaction monitoring strategy for the UK market, with a focus on effective detection and meaningful reduction of false positives.
- Provide 2nd line oversight of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud risk, ensuring industry-aligned controls are implemented and continuously enhanced to reduce merchant and Zeller exposure.
- Maintain and strengthen our Know Your Customer and Know Your Business programmes in line with regulatory expectations and business growth.
- Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration
- Work cross-functionally and cross-regionally to design and operate controls, leveraging Global solutions to minimise duplication and local burden.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the UK Managing Director and local Board on financial crime risk matters.
Qualifications and experience
- Experience in a similar role (MLRO, Head of Compliance, Financial Crime Lead) in a fast-growing ‘Fintech’ or ‘Paytech’.
- Deep knowledge of UK financial regulations and general legal principles.
- Demonstrated success in scaling compliance functions during periods of significant business growth.
- Deep knowledge of card acquiring, card issuing and transaction account products and their operation.
- Hands-on mindset, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to operate strategically and operationally as the business evolves.
- Appetite to collaborate internally with Global Risk & Compliance experts as well as externally with schemes, providers and regulators.
- Nice to have: you are CAMS or ICA certified.
Like the rest of the team, you’ll benefit from:
- An opportunity to shape and build the future of Zeller from the ground up in the UK.
- A competitive salary package, including equity from an early stage.
- A balanced, progressive, and supportive work environment.
- Endless learning and development opportunities.
- Excellent parental leave and other leave entitlements.
- Being part of a fast-growing and ambitious scale-up.
At Zeller, we celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, and strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply to join our team. We want you to be able to show up at your best during the recruitment process. Please, let us know if you require any accommodations during your interview process with us.
Money Laundering Reporting Officer employer: Zeller
Zeller is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of financial services in the UK. With a competitive salary package, equity options, and a balanced work environment, employees are encouraged to grow through endless learning opportunities while being part of a fast-growing fintech scale-up. The company fosters a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute to redefining business banking.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Money Laundering Reporting Officer
✨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 Zeller looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Money Laundering Reporting Officer
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 Zeller. 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 Zeller
✨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 Zeller’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!