We are seeking an experienced Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to support the business through its FCA authorisation process and provide ongoing oversight of the firm's financial crime compliance arrangements.

The business is a small payments/remittance firm currently progressing through the FCA application process. The core AML policies, procedures and control framework are already established. The successful candidate will therefore provide senior-level MLRO oversight, regulatory input and governance , rather than undertaking a substantial policy-development or operational compliance workload.

The role is intended to be fractional and proportionate to the size and current stage of the business , with the level of involvement expected to increase as the business moves towards launch and begins conducting regulated activities.

1. Remote position
2. PART TIME - Light touch role
3. Rolling contract
4. (£400pd - £450pd) – this can be either PAYE or, Limited company contractor (outside IR35)

Key Responsibilities

FCA Authorisation

1. Act as the firm's nominated MLRO and provide appropriate AML oversight throughout the FCA authorisation process.
2. Review and maintain familiarity with the firm's AML/CTF framework, policies, procedures and financial crime risk assessment.
3. Support the business in responding to FCA queries relating to financial crime, AML/CTF controls and MLRO arrangements.
4. Participate in FCA meetings or interviews where required.
5. Provide appropriate input into any regulatory feedback or remediation relating to the firm's financial crime framework.
6. Ensure that the MLRO function is appropriately represented within the firm's governance arrangements.

AML / Financial Crime Oversight

1. Maintain appropriate oversight of the firm's AML/CTF arrangements.
2. Monitor material changes to the firm's business model and assess their potential financial crime implications.
3. Provide challenge and advice to senior management on financial crime risks and controls.
4. Ensure appropriate escalation of material AML/CTF concerns.
5. Maintain oversight of the firm's suspicious activity reporting arrangements and act as the appropriate escalation point for relevant matters.
6. Maintain appropriate awareness of customer, geographic, product and transactional risks relevant to the business.

Governance & Regulatory Compliance

1. Provide proportionate MLRO input into management and board-level governance.
2. Review relevant AML management information and compliance reporting.
3. Ensure the firm remains appropriately prepared to meet its AML/CTF obligations as it moves from application stage into live operations.
4. Maintain appropriate records of material MLRO decisions, escalations and regulatory matters.
5. Provide advice to the business where changes to products, services, customers or processes may create additional financial crime risk.

Candidate Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

1. Previous experience operating as an MLRO , ideally within payments, remittance, electronic money, fintech or another FCA-regulated environment.
2. Strong knowledge of UK AML/CTF requirements and the FCA regulatory framework.
3. Experience dealing with financial crime risk within a regulated financial services environment.
4. An understanding of the requirements and expectations applicable to payment institutions.
5. The ability to provide appropriate independent challenge to senior management.
6. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
7. The ability to engage confidently with the FCA and explain the firm's AML framework and risk profile.
8. Sufficient seniority, knowledge and experience to discharge the MLRO responsibilities effectively.

Engagement

This is a fractional MLRO position designed to provide proportionate senior oversight during the firm's FCA authorisation process and subsequently as the business prepares for and commences regulated activity.

The initial workload is expected to be relatively light given the firm's size, current application stage and existing AML framework. However, the MLRO will be expected to have sufficient availability to respond to material regulatory or financial crime matters and to participate in FCA engagement where required.