Location: Cheltenham (Hybrid working - 1 day/week in the office)Salary: £110 - 120kAn ambitious and growing UK financial services firm is seeking an experienced Head of Legal, Compliance & MLRO to lead and develop its legal and regulatory function at a senior level.Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this is a high-impact role with responsibility for legal oversight, regulatory compliance and financial crime prevention across the business. The successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting the Board, senior leadership and key committees.The business is a well-established, FCA-authorised specialist finance provider, supporting UK SMEs through tailored lending solutions funded by a growing investor community. Known for its strong governance, customer-first approach and deep expertise in secured lending, the firm combines a collaborative, values-led culture with the pace and ambition of a scale-up environment.The RoleThis position combines strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, ensuring the firm operates to the highest legal and regulatory standards while supporting commercial growth and strong customer outcomes.Legal ResponsibilitiesLead the firm’s legal function, overseeing commercial contracts and maintaining a central contracts databaseReview and maintain investor terms and conditions, borrower loan documentation, security documents and offer lettersProvide clear, pragmatic legal advice to the Board, senior management and internal committeesSupport loan completions, redemptions and the ongoing legal management of the loan bookManage relationships with external legal counsel and professional advisorsSupport onboarding and ongoing oversight of third parties, including law firms, valuers and brokersContribute legal insight to improve internal credit, lending and operational processesSupport new product development and changes to commercial activitiesProvide legal support to HR matters as requiredEnsure compliance with FCA requirements, wider financial services legislation and GDPR obligationsCompliance & MLRO ResponsibilitiesAct as the firm’s primary point of contact for compliance and financial crime preventionDevelop, implement and maintain a robust compliance framework aligned with UK regulatory requirements and best practiceConduct risk assessments, monitor transactions and submit SARs to the NCA where requiredEnsure all regulatory risks, issues and breaches are appropriately investigated, documented and mitigatedDeliver AML and regulatory training across the businessFoster a strong culture of compliance aligned with Consumer Duty and positive customer outcomesPrepare and present the annual MLRO and Consumer Duty reports to the BoardManage relationships with the FCA and external compliance advisorsOversee regulatory reporting, FCA returns and notifications within required timelinesSupport the annual CASS audit in collaboration with FinanceProvide compliance advice to the Credit Committee, Senior Management Team and other governance forumsLead ongoing compliance monitoring and ensure records are maintained in line with regulatory and legal requirementsAbout YouA senior legal and compliance professional with strong UK financial services experienceProven experience operating as an MLRO and holding or being eligible for SMF16 & SMF17Confident advising Boards and senior stakeholders in a regulated environmentCommercially minded, pragmatic and comfortable operating in a fast-growing businessStrong communicator with the credibility to influence across the organisation