Head of Compliance and MLRO (UK)

About Brite Payments Founded in 2019, Brite Payments is a Swedish fintech and a leader in Instant Account-to-Account (A2A) payments. With connections to over 3,800+ banks, Brite enables consumers to pay directly from their bank account (also known as Pay by Bank) in real-time. With no signup or card details required, users authenticate using their bank’s usual ID method, which is not only convenient and secure but provides merchants with fast fund settlement, zero chargebacks, and reduced costs. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Brite operates across 27 European markets, utilising local payment rails, open banking, and our own proprietary infrastructure, Brite Instant Payments Network (IPN). Want to join us on our journey? The future is Brite! What you will do The Head of Compliance and MLRO (UK) role will support the ongoing development and operation of Brite Payments Limited’s UK compliance framework. The role sits within the second line of defence and supports the business in identifying, assessing and managing regulatory and financial crime risks associated withthe firm’s UK regulated payment services and open banking activities. This position is based in the UK and offers a hybrid working model. As the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) at Brite, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing and enhancing our UK-based anti-money laundering and sanctions programs, ensuring compliance with local regulations and Brite's policies. Collaborating with the UK management and Compliance teams, along with the group MLRO at our Swedish headquarters, your responsibilities will include managing AML and sanctions activities, identifying suspicious transactions, and ensuring adherence to FCA and other regulatory frameworks. MLRO & Financial Crime Leadership Registered Accountability: Act as Brite’s registered UK MLRO, serving as the primary point of contact for the FCA, law enforcement, and external audits. Framework Ownership: Oversee, refine, and continuously improve our UK AML/CTF, sanctions, fraud, and anti-bribery programs. Investigations: Lead internal investigations, manage suspicious activity detection, and ensure compliant, timely SAR filings. Oversight: Manage the UK customer onboarding (CDD/EDD) and transaction monitoring frameworks, maintaining top-tier quality assurance on outsourced anti-financial crime operations. Regulatory Compliance & Governance FCA Engagement: Lead responses to regulatory requests, formal reviews, and proactive ongoing engagement with the FCA. Horizon Scanning: Monitor the UK regulatory horizon, assessing and translating prospective changes into practical business guidance. Board Reporting: Coordinate and prepare UK regulatory reporting obligations, providing regular risk assessments to the Board and senior management. Policies, Controls & Operational Resilience Policy Architecture: Draft, review, and maintain practical compliance policies aligned with the firm’s risk appetite. Testing & Monitoring: Implement robust internal compliance monitoring, control testing activities, and remediation tracking. Operational Resilience: Oversee third-party risk, incident management, and cloud-based outsourcing arrangements in line with UK regulatory obligations. Advisory & Compliance Culture Cross-Functional Advisory: Provide daily compliance guidance to Product, Operations, and Legal teams to embed compliance directly into our workflows. Training: Lead financial crime awareness and general compliance training across the UK team to foster a proactive risk culture. Are you a brite mind? We are looking for a "Brite mind" who thrives in an independent, fast-paced environment. You are highly analytical, possess meticulous attention to detail, and approach challenges with a pragmatic, "can-do" attitude. Crucially, you have the ability to translate complex regulatory matters into clear, actionable recommendations for senior management and the Board. Essential qualifications and experience: MLRO Expertise: 5+ years of experience operating as an MLRO within an FCA-regulated financial institution. Experience within an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) or digital payment services provider is strongly preferred. Core FinCrime Operations: Robust, hands-on experience managing customer onboarding (CDD/EDD), transaction monitoring, AML, sanctions, and financial crime compliance processes. Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of UK financial services regulations applicable to EMIs, payment services, and Open Banking. Tools: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Desirable: FCA Engagement: Direct experience supporting formal reviews, requests, and ongoing interactions with the FCA. Operational Resilience: Familiarity with UK operational resilience, business continuity, and third-party outsourcing requirements relevant to payment services and EMIs. Frameworks & Testing: Experience with compliance monitoring, control testing activities, and a strong understanding of safeguarding frameworks or PSD2. Key Competencies & Attributes Communication: Exceptional written and verbal English communication skills, with a proven ability to deliver complex compliance details concisely to non-compliance stakeholders. Execution & Drive: Highly organized and adept at managing competing priorities, working independently, and meeting tight deadlines. Collaboration & Judgment: A collaborative team player with strong stakeholder management skills, balanced with the strong judgment required to challenge the business appropriately. Fintech Agility: Commercially aware and comfortable navigating the rapid shifts and fast growth of a scaling fintech environment. What we offer An optimistic, caring, and inclusive culture where you can be yourself. A dynamic, fast-paced, and innovative environment, with the chance to join one of Europe’s hottest fintechs and learn from industry leaders. The opportunity to make an impact from day one in an organisation that values quick decision-making, teamwork, and results over titles. Exposure to a variety of verticals and use cases for our payments products, working with some of the fastest-growing businesses in Europe. An annual well-being and professional development allowance to invest in your personal growth. A team of fun, skilled professionals who are committed to making a lasting impact. Do you want to learn more about our recruitment process? Here you can read about the hiring flow and find answers to the most frequently asked questions. Important Regulatory Note As Brite Payments Limited is authorised as an Electronic Money Institution under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011, individuals performing certain controlled responsibilities may be subject to FCA fit and proper assessments applicable to Electronic Money Institutions. Equal Opportunities Brite Payments Limited is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.