Group Head of Compliance/MLRO (SMF17 / SMF16)
London (Hybrid / On-site)
Full-time | Permanent
£100,000 – £120,000 per year (DOE)
About Faza Holding
Faza Holding is an international group of companies operating across regulated financial services and technology. The group includes aUK FCA-regulated Electronic Money Institution (EMI), andtechnology platforms in the US.
We are hiring aGroup Head of Compliance/MLRO to lead compliance and financial crime prevention across the group.
This role is a major opportunity for professional growth and career progression. We are looking for a strong, proactive compliance leader with a solid AML foundation, who is ready to take ownership, build and scale processes, and drive compliance as a strategic function across multiple entities, products, and jurisdictions.
You will have high visibility, direct exposure to senior leadership, and the ability to shape compliance standards across the group - from more traditional EMI and payments compliance to complex and evolving areas including crypto-related processes.
Key Responsibilities
* Serve as theGroup Head of Compliance/MLRO and act as a key point of contact with relevant regulators and external stakeholders (including the FCA where applicable).
* Develop, implement, and maintain a robustgroup-wide compliance and financial crime prevention framework, aligned with applicable regulatory requirements and best practices.
* Design and establish compliance policies, procedures, and controls, ensuring full coverage across the group’s entities, products, and operational processes.
* Conduct and overseerisk assessments, transaction monitoring governance, suspicious activity reporting (SARs), and enhanced due diligence (EDD).
* Prepare and submit relevant regulatory reports and compliance documentation (e.g., regulatory returns, financial crime reports, governance reporting, and SMCR-related responsibilities where applicable).
* Act as a senior compliance leader under strong governance principles, ensuring accountability and clear oversight across the group’s compliance structure.
* Advise the Board and senior management on compliance and financial crime risks, obligations, emerging trends, and best practices.
* Provide training, guidance, and day-to-day support to teams to foster a strong compliance culture across the group.
* Lead regulatory change management, ensuring the group stays ahead of evolving rules, industry standards, and financial crime typologies.
* Scale and manage the compliance function as the group expands, providing leadership, mentorship, and operational structure.
* Serve as an independent and trusted voice within the business, ensuring ethical and regulatory standards are met while supporting commercial growth.
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to compliance and financial crime prevention.
* Ensure robust customer due diligence processes, including identification and verification of clients and beneficial owners, and clear documentation of the nature and purpose of client relationships.
* Document and maintain financial crime risk management policies and the group’s overall risk profile.
* Oversee governance, resourcing, and implementation of transaction screening and monitoring systems, ensuring effectiveness and appropriate performance oversight.
* Provide information and reporting to the governing body and senior management, including theannual MLRO reporton the effectiveness of AML systems, controls, and financial crime risk management.
Requirements
* Proven track record in Compliance, MLRO (SMF17 / SMF16), Deputy MLRO, or similar compliance role within a regulated financial services environment (fintech, payments, EMI, banking, crypto, or related sectors).
* Strong knowledge ofUK regulatory and AML frameworks, includingEMRs, PSD2, FCA Handbook, MLR 2017, and JMLSG guidance.
* Demonstrated experience inbuilding and improving compliance and AML frameworksfrom the ground up, including policies, procedures, controls, and governance.
* Strong understanding ofAML/CTF, sanctions, fraud, and financial crime risks, including transaction monitoring principles and risk-based controls design.
* Experience in preparing and submitting regulatory returns and compliance reporting (including FCA-related reporting where applicable).
* Excellent leadership skills with the ability to work hands‑on and operationally, while also developing into a strategic leader capable of scaling the function and managing a team.
* Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders and Board‑level management.
* High integrity, resilience, independence, and sound judgement, with the ability to balance regulatory requirements with commercial objectives.
* Confidence to take ownership and lead processes end-to‑end, while also knowing when to involve external expertise for specialised areas (e.g., complex cross-border requirements, crypto-related processes, or new regulatory expectations).
* UK recognised AML / MLRO certification is preferred, such asCAMS (ACAMS)and/orICA International Diploma in Anti Money Laundering / Compliance.
* Minimum5 years of relevant experiencein compliance and AML roles.
* Degree in finance, business administration, law, or a related field is preferred.
* Right to work in the UK is required, and the candidate should bebased in London (or within commuting distance).
Languages
* Fluent English is required
* Russian language skills are a strong advantage
What We Offer
* A unique opportunity to join ahigh-growth international groupat a senior leadership level.
* Agroup-level leadership rolewith real ownership and autonomy, with the ability to build and scale abest-in-class Compliance and AML functionacross the group.
* Significant career growth opportunities, includingexpanding scope, team-building, and long-term progressionas the group scales.
* Exposure to a wide range of compliance challenges acrossmultiple entities, products, and jurisdictions, including both traditional financial services and innovative processes.
* Competitive compensation package with potential long-term incentives.
* Hybrid working model and a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative working environment with ambitious growth plans.
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