Head of Compliance

Job Title: Interim Head of Compliance Contract Duration: 3-6 months with the chance to go permanent Location: Remote within the UK (London HQ) About our client: Join a dynamic, 20-year-old payments and cross-currency fintech that’s pushing the boundaries in financial technology innovation. Headquartered in London, they’re renowned for delivering reliable, streamlined payment solutions to clients across the globe. Now, we’re looking for a seasoned Compliance Officer ready to take the next step in their career to become their Interim Head of Compliance. Role Overview: As the Head of Compliance, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping their compliance function and driving regulatory standards. This role is highly hands-on, ideal for someone who’s proactive, detail-oriented, and ready to dive deep into all aspects of compliance within financial services. You will take full ownership of maintaining and updating compliance documentation, policies, and processes, with a unique opportunity to build and manage your team. MLRO (Money Laundering Reporting Officer) experience is essential, and we’re looking for someone to hit the ground running and be in place by the end of the year. Please note, no sponsorship is available for this role. Candidates must be available to start immediately and should be ready to make a meaningful impact over the contract term with the opportunity to then be made perm. Key Responsibilities: - Compliance Management: Update, implement, and oversee compliance policies and procedures to ensure the company meets UK and EU regulatory standards. - Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Financial Crime Prevention: Act as MLRO, overseeing AML policies and managing the detection, investigation, and reporting of suspicious activities. - Documentation & Reporting: Ensure all regulatory documentation and reports are accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner. - Team Building: Recruit, develop, and manage a compliance team, setting strategic direction and driving performance. - Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with risk, legal, and operational teams to align on compliance and regulatory requirements. - Hands-On Leadership: Engage actively in daily compliance tasks to ensure smooth function execution, especially during the initial team-building phase. Qualifications: - Experience: Proven experience as a Compliance Officer in financial services, ideally in fintech or payments. MLRO certification/experience is required. - Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of the regulatory environment governing fintech and payments, particularly in AML, KYC, and GDPR requirements. - Skills: Excellent problem-solving skills, strong organizational capabilities, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. - Availability: Must be able to start promptly, aiming to be in place by end-of-year. Candidates with only short-term contract experience (e.g., three months) may not be considered at this time. What We Offer: - Growth Opportunity: Step into a leadership role where you’ll build and shape your team. - Remote Flexibility: Work remotely within the UK, with occasional visits to our London HQ. - Innovative Culture: Join a forward-thinking company focused on driving fintech solutions for real-world payment challenges. This is an incredible chance to lead compliance for a seasoned fintech while advancing your career in a collaborative, fast-growing environment. If you’re ready to bring your expertise to a Head of Compliance role, we’d love to hear from you If you think you‘re an ideal candidate please reach out to Lydia Howard directly.