Job Description

Director of Anti-Financial Crime Prevention (MLRO)

About Us

We’re a dynamic, rapidly scaling financial services firm delivering tailored cross-border payment and treasury solutions. Our objective is to become a leading force in the corporate and institutional payments space throughout EMEA by prioritising ethics, creativity, and execution excellence.

What You’ll Be Part Of

Each person on our team directly contributes to our growth and reputation. We foster a culture built on action, clarity, and purpose, where individuals are empowered and supported to deliver meaningful results.

You’ll work in an environment that values initiative, professionalism, and impact. We provide continuous support, development pathways, and expert mentorship to help you excel. If you’re ready to deliver with purpose, we’ll help you thrive.

Position Overview

This senior leadership role leads the organisation’s approach to financial crime prevention, with end-to-end ownership of its governance, strategy, and risk controls. The position includes responsibility for leading compliance teams, liaising with regulators, and ensuring the business remains resilient against financial crime threats.

Key Accountabilities

• Expert Oversight: Lead the financial crime agenda across the group and act as a senior advisor on regulatory matters to regional compliance leads.
• Team Direction: Supervise and support financial crime teams, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s culture and strategic goals.
• Education & Awareness: Oversee firm-wide training programmes covering AML, sanctions, and CTF, while maintaining evidence of compliance and staff understanding.
• Policy Governance: Craft and maintain comprehensive frameworks to tackle bribery, fraud, and money laundering, keeping documents up to date with emerging risks.
• Regulatory Liaison: Represent the firm in all interactions with UK regulators and enforcement authorities concerning financial crime matters.
• System Evaluation: Review the integrity of internal financial crime detection systems and drive ongoing enhancements based on evolving threats.
• SAR Oversight: Supervise internal assessments and reporting of suspicious activity in accordance with relevant legal obligations.
• Risk Framework: Sustain a dynamic risk methodology to evaluate and address financial crime exposures across the business.
• Board Reporting: Deliver structured reporting and annual updates to governance bodies, senior executives, and committees.
• Compliance Review: Conduct internal reviews of policy effectiveness, identifying areas of weakness and driving resolution plans.
• Regulatory Designation: Serve as the business’s appointed Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and Nominated Officer for the UK.
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Ideal Candidate

• Industry Background: Significant experience leading financial crime or AML functions at a senior level within financial services.
• Compliance Expertise: Advanced knowledge of financial crime law and regulation in the UK and Europe, including key FCA returns like REP 17 and REP 18.
• People Management: Proven success leading cross-functional teams and guiding them through high-stakes compliance work.
• Forward Planning: Strong ability to shape long-term compliance strategies that align with regulatory expectations and business goals.
• Analytical Skillset: Confident in breaking down complex issues and using evidence-based judgment to make sound decisions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Capable of communicating technical and legal matters to non-specialists, including board-level audiences.
• Problem-Solving Focus: Able to remain decisive and effective in fast-moving or high-pressure situations.
• Technology Competence: Experience with tools and platforms supporting compliance analytics, monitoring, and reporting.
• Professional Attitude: Dependable, adaptable, and motivated by continuous improvement and high standards.

What You’ll Receive

• 25 days holiday, plus UK bank holidays and a paid day off for your birthday
• Pension contributions via salary sacrifice
• Health support package with reimbursement for dental, optical, and other treatments
• Discounts on wellness, entertainment, shopping, and more
• Group life assurance
• Access to a cycle-to-work programme
• Nursery fee exchange scheme
• Employee wellbeing and support services
• Dedicated training and structured career progression
• A calendar of social and team events throughout the year

Additional Notes

• The role is hybrid and requires attendance at our London office.
• Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.
• Pre-employment screening, including background checks, will be required.