Description

The Opportunity

Seeking an experienced Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) with a strong banking and financial crime background to lead its AML and financial crime risk framework.

This is a senior leadership role for a fast-growing bank, suited to an established SMF-approved MLRO who combines deep technical expertise with strong commercial and stakeholder-management skills. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of AML within payments and correspondent banking, alongside the ability to guide and coach a developing team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Act as the firm's SMF-approved MLRO, providing senior oversight of AML and financial crime risk.
2. Own and continually develop the firm's AML/CTF framework, ensuring it remains appropriate to the firm's evolving business model and regulatory obligations.
3. Provide expert oversight and challenge across correspondent banking and payment-related financial crime risks.
4. Identify emerging financial crime risks and ensure appropriate controls, policies and procedures are in place.
5. Provide clear, pragmatic advice and guidance to senior stakeholders and the wider business.
6. Work closely with Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations and senior management to embed a strong financial crime risk culture.
7. Ensure appropriate escalation, investigation and reporting of suspicious activity and material financial crime issues.
8. Maintain effective relationships with relevant regulators and other external stakeholders where required.
9. Provide leadership, guidance and coaching to the financial crime team, helping to develop capability and technical expertise.
10. Oversee the Deputy MLRO and two analysts, with one direct report and a wider team of three.
11. Ensure the team operates effectively, with clear priorities, appropriate challenge and strong technical standards.
12. Contribute to the firm's broader risk management and governance framework.

The Candidate

1. Significant experience operating as an MLRO within banking, payments or another highly regulated financial services environment.
2. SMF approval and a strong understanding of the responsibilities associated with the MLRO function.
3. Deep technical knowledge of AML/CTF, financial crime and payment risks.
4. Strong experience assessing and managing correspondent banking / correspondent relationship risk.
5. A strong understanding of the UK regulatory environment and expectations around financial crime risk management.
6. Experience operating effectively at Director level, with the credibility to engage and challenge senior stakeholders.
7. Strong judgement and the ability to balance robust risk management with commercial realities.
8. A coaching-led leadership style, with the ability to develop less experienced team members and raise the overall capability of the function.
9. Excellent communication skills and the confidence to provide constructive challenge at senior level

If you have any questions, or would simply like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact Archie.Oakford@trevosepartners.com / 02037633912