Overview
Alexander Barnes is leading the search for a Head of Compliance & MLRO for a fast-scaling, AI-driven payments business based in London
This hire will own the firm’s compliance and financial crime framework end-to-end, acting as MLRO while building the foundations of a scalable compliance function.
The business operates in a low-risk environment today, with clear future regulatory exposure as it grows.
Purpose of the role
* This role owns AML and compliance outcomes across the business. From policy and controls through monitoring, escalation, and reporting, with responsibility for building sensible, commercial frameworks that support growth.
* The role will define and deliver a pragmatic compliance programme covering:
* AML and financial crime
* Compliance governance and internal controls
* Regulatory readiness for future licensing
Key responsibilities
1. End-to-end AML ownership: Act as MLRO, owning financial crime risk across customers, transactions, and internal processes, including oversight of monitoring, reviews, and escalations.
2. Compliance framework build: Design, implement, and refine compliance policies, controls, and procedures aligned to the firm’s current risk profile and growth plans.
3. Founder and product partnership: Work closely with founders, product, AI, and operations teams to embed compliance into how the business is built and scaled.
4. Risk and judgement: Provide clear, commercially aware guidance on compliance and financial crime issues, balancing control with speed of execution.
5. Regulatory groundwork: Prepare the business for future regulatory engagement and licensing without over-engineering controls too early.
6. Reporting and visibility: Own compliance reporting for leadership, giving clear views on risk, incidents, and control effectiveness.
Ideal candidates will bring
* Experience in fintech, payments, or financial crime, with strong AML fundamentals.
* Comfort stepping into a Head of Compliance & MLRO role early, without a large team or heavy process.
* Good judgement and confidence owning decisions in ambiguous environments.
* Experience working closely with product or operations teams rather than in isolation.
* Clear communication and the ability to translate risk into practical action.
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