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Head of Compliance & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)
London, United Kingdom (Hybrid/On-site)
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Full-time, Senior Management
About the Role
We are a UK-licensed Electronic Money Institution (EMI) building a modern payments and account infrastructure for ambitious businesses. We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Compliance & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to join our senior leadership team.

This is a high-impact role with full ownership of the compliance and financial crime agenda, acting as the firm’s primary point of contact with the FCA. You will design and scale a best-in-class compliance framework, ensuring we meet regulatory expectations while enabling sustainable growth.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on: able to build strong governance and controls from the ground up, drive day-to-day execution with precision, and partner closely with leadership to support product and commercial decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
  • Serve as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and primary contact with the FCA and other regulatory authorities
  • Develop, implement, and maintain a robust compliance and AML/CTF framework aligned with UK regulations (EMRs, PSD2, FCA Handbook, AMLD)
  • Design and establish compliance policies, procedures, and controls from scratch, ensuring full regulatory coverage
  • Conduct risk assessments, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting (SARs), and enhanced due diligence (EDD)
  • Prepare and submit regulatory reports and filings (e.g., FCA returns, financial crime reporting, SMCR responsibilities)
  • Act as the SMF16/17 function holder, ensuring accountability and governance under SMCR
  • Advise the Board and senior management on compliance and AML/CTF risks, obligations, and best practices
  • Deliver training and guidance to employees to embed a strong compliance culture across the organisation
  • Lead regulatory change management and stay ahead of evolving laws, rules, and industry standards
  • Build, scale, and manage a compliance function as the business grows, providing leadership and mentorship
  • Act as an independent and trusted voice within the business, ensuring ethical and regulatory standards are met while supporting commercial objectives
Requirements
  • Proven track record as a Head of Compliance, MLRO, or Deputy MLRO within an FCA-regulated firm (ideally EMI, payments, fintech, or banking)
  • In-depth knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks (EMRs, PSD2, MLR 2017, JMLSG guidance, FCA Handbook)
  • Demonstrated experience in building compliance and AML processes from the ground up
  • Strong understanding of AML, CTF, sanctions, fraud, and financial crime risks in payments/EMI environments
  • Experience preparing and submitting regulatory returns and reporting to the FCA
  • Strong leadership skills: ability to operate hands-on initially and evolve into a strategic leader managing a team
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with the ability to influence at Board level
  • High integrity, resilience, and strong judgement in balancing regulatory requirements with commercial realities
  • Languages: Fluent English is required. Russian language skills are a strong advantage
What We Offer
  • Full ownership of the compliance and financial crime function with autonomy to build scalable, regulator-ready processes
  • High-impact leadership role in a fast-scaling fintech with real influence on strategic and commercial decisions
  • Competitive compensation package with potential long-term incentives 
  • Hybrid working model with flexibility (including 1 remote day per week)
  • Modern, well-located office in London and a collaborative, high-performance environment
  • Brand-new equipment provided for all new employees
  • Fast-moving, innovation-driven culture with direct access to leadership and rapid decision-making
Why This Role
This isn’t just another operations role. It’s a chance to shape processes in a scaling FCA-licensed fintech and build real impact in digital payments while working in Estonia’s fintech hub.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to become a key member of an FCA-licensed fintech, where operational expertise and innovation meet to shape the future of digital payments. What We Offer

  • Competitive compensation with long-term incentives.
  • A modern office in the heart of Tallinn.
  • High-end tools and technology from day one.
  • Career growth and development opportunities.
  • A collaborative, innovative, and international environment.
  • Regular team events and cross-border exposure.
Apply for this role
Full-time, Senior Management
Contact Us
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A member of our team will respond to you at their earliest convenience.