Head of Compliance & MLRO – Digital Financial Services

About the role

This senior, board‑facing position leads the compliance, financial crime, governance and risk framework for a fast‑growing digital financial services business. As the appointed Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), you will ensure the organisation meets the highest regulatory standards while supporting commercial expansion across the UK and international markets.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and continuously improve the firm’s compliance strategy, governance framework and risk‑management programme.
• Provide practical regulatory guidance and strategic advice to the Board and executive leadership.
• Produce Board‑level reporting, management information and regulatory updates.
• Design and maintain an enterprise‑wide risk management framework covering operational, regulatory, financial‑crime and emerging risks.
• Conduct risk assessments, define risk appetite statements and monitor key risk indicators.
• Oversee the financial‑crime framework, including AML, KYC, CDD, sanctions and policy ownership.
• Manage customer due‑diligence processes, suspicious activity reporting and liaison with authorities.
• Lead data‑protection governance, enterprise risk and regulatory compliance initiatives.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in compliance, financial‑crime prevention and regulatory risk within a digital or high‑value transaction environment.
• Proven ability to influence senior leadership and Board members on governance matters.
• Strong understanding of UK and international AML, KYC, sanctions and data‑protection regulations.
• Demonstrated track record of building and embedding robust risk‑management frameworks.

Required skills