Head of Compliance & MLRO SMF16/17

This is a senior SMF16 / SMF17-level appointment, reporting directly to the CEO and Board. The successful candidate will have significant influence over the firm's regulatory framework and will play a key role in its ongoing development and future FCA authorisation strategy.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have previously held FCA approval as SMF16 and/or SMF17, ideally within an EMI, Payment Institution or UK payments business.

The role:

The successful candidate will initially undertake a substantive review of the existing compliance and financial crime framework, identify areas requiring remediation and take ownership of the resulting framework.

A major element of the role will be leading the compliance and financial crime workstream supporting the firm's future Authorised Electronic Money Institution (AEMI) application, including direct engagement with the FCA.

• Lead the Compliance and Financial Crime functions with appropriate independence and authority.
• Undertake responsibilities associated with SMF16 - Compliance Oversight and SMF17 - MLRO, subject to FCA approval where applicable.
• Provide direct regulatory advice, challenge and reporting to the CEO and Board.
• Own and maintain the firm's regulatory compliance framework, policies, procedures and monitoring programme.
• Own the firm's AML/CTF, sanctions, fraud, proliferation-financing and wider financial crime framework.
• Review and maintain the Business-Wide Risk Assessment (BWRA) and associated methodologies.
• Oversee CDD/EDD, PEP and sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, ongoing monitoring and SAR governance.
• Ensure compliance and financial crime controls are effectively implemented, tested and evidenced.
• Produce Board-level compliance and MLRO reporting, MI and risk indicators.
• Provide oversight of safeguarding, Consumer Duty, APP fraud, outsourcing and operational resilience requirements.
• Monitor regulatory developments and ensure the business remains aligned with applicable FCA requirements.
• Lead compliance and financial crime input into the firm's FCA AEMI authorisation process.
• Review existing application documentation, identify deficiencies and oversee remediation.
• Lead responses to FCA requests for information and participate in FCA meetings and interviews.
• Act as a senior regulatory contact and ensure submissions and responses are accurate, complete and appropriately evidenced.
• Promote a strong compliance and financial crime culture across the organisation.

Particularly Relevant Experience:

• Previous FCA approval as SMF16 and/or SMF17.
• Experience personally discharging both Compliance Oversight and MLRO responsibilities.
• Previous experience within an EMI, AEMI or Payment Institution.
• Experience leading or materially supporting an FCA EMI authorisation application.
• Experience navigating FCA interviews and detailed regulatory scrutiny.
• Experience joining a business during a period of authorisation, remediation or significant regulatory change.
• Experience independently reviewing and taking ownership of a compliance framework developed by a predecessor.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, Consumer Duty, APP fraud, outsourcing and operational resilience.

This role would suit a senior compliance professional who is comfortable operating with significant autonomy and who can confidently engage with the FCA, CEO and Board.

You will need to demonstrate:

• Strong regulatory judgement and independence.
• The confidence to challenge senior stakeholders where required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A pragmatic, commercially aware approach to regulation.
• Strong ownership and accountability.
• The ability to operate effectively within a growing fintech environment without compromising control-function independence.

This is not an entry-level MLRO or general compliance management position.