Head of Compliance / MLRO

As MLRO across the Group, you will hold accountability for all aspects of Anti Financial Crime and the Group's broader regulatory compliance obligations. You will undertake a leadership role in maintaining and evolving the existing regulatory and AML/TF framework within the United Kingdom and other operating territories in accordance with regulation. The local entities in other countries have their own local MLRO, which will report to you.

You will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of the regulatory and monitoring function with a particular focus towards assisting with specific requests relating to a broad range of regulatory matters raised by The Board, Departmental Staff, Account Executives and Introducers to the Company and Customers.

To liaise with Regulators, Partner Banks, Compliance Consultants, Country Directors, external vendors and as agreed and discussed with the CEO.

Responsibilities

• Assume the responsibility of running the day to day AML activities including management of AML operational staff and the operation of the tools designed to perform checks, onboarding, transaction monitoring and other aspects of operations aimed at supporting the development of the company while detecting suspicious activities.
• Ensure the company operates and respects the relevant regulations such as PSD2, GDPR, and various anti financial crime regulations. Anticipate changes and adopt a proactive approach in keeping the company up to date in terms of preparedness and ownership policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the Company operates within all relevant legislation;
  • The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and any additions or amendments thereto,
  • the Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority,
  • the Rules of the relevant Exchanges upon which the Company conducts business, and
  • the Rules and regulations within all jurisdictions in which the Company operates either directly or indirectly.
• Assume responsibility for operational performance; the development & delivery of operational strategy; assessing money laundering risk and ensuring appropriate implementation of risk-sensitive policies and procedures within the business.
• Partner with the business in developing, implementing and administering corporate-wide AML policies and controls including customer due diligence measures, risk assessment, management and control systems;
• Conduct AML risk assessments against all new services, ensuring that the risk of the Group being used as a vehicle for money laundering or financial crime is minimised.
• Investigate incidents of fraud and money laundering, liaising with external agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure that an appropriate knowledge and awareness of the AML procedures are maintained in the business, providing AML/Anti-Fraud guidance and training to all necessary members of staff.
• Responsible for assisting External Audit matters relating to compliance issues, monitoring and regulation, and with other country MLRO's across Europe
• Update regulatory requirements and ensure appropriate staff training to maintain standards.
• Supervise/manage/assist in managing external relationships from a compliance perspective.
• Responsible for FCA regulatory status and developments.
• To be the primary point of contact with law enforcement agencies, ensuring that where transactions suspected to involve money laundering are recognised, to report to the appropriate authorities, including any link to persons or entities suspected of being involved in or supporting acts of terrorism.
• Develop extensive knowledge of current and future products and services, identifying those that require operational anti-money laundering and anti-fraud measures and support to reduce the Money laundering/initially, fraud risk to the Group.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience

• Extensive Compliance and MLRO experience, specifically in payment services and retail and corporate banking.
• Demonstrable and detailed knowledge of FCA rules and current regulatory proposals, together with European level regulatory initiatives and requirements and a broad knowledge of other key regulators.
• Extensive experience in all areas of anti-money laundering in the UK, Europe, and territories where the company operates.
• Strong compliance background with exposure to operational/strategic anti-money laundering and (anti-fraud) systems.
• Results focus, driven by results and an ability to focus others in the same way.
• Knowledge of product-related business and operating processes and associated systems.
• Experience working within and leading international organisations and teams.
• Knowledge of performance analysis methodology, both internal and external to the group.
• Knowledge of Corporate Governance, compliance requirements and internal risk management.

Competencies

• Outstanding influencing and relationship building skills. The gravitas to influence and liaise with a range of stakeholders, internal and external.
• Solutions focused with strong organization, prioritisation and reporting skills.
• Creative/Analytically minded with strong problem solving skills.
• Client focused, with exceptional stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work and collaborate with regional teams across Europe.
• Adaptable with a flexible approach to work, ability to use own initiative.
• Able to work in an exceptionally fast paced environment.