MLRO, Compliance Sr Director

Company Description

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Job Description

• Act as the registered MLRO for Visa Payments Ltd holding FCA accountability for the effectiveness of the AML and CTF framework and financial crime risk management programme
• Design oversee and continuously enhance VPLs compliance and financial crime controls including risk assessments customer due diligence transaction monitoring sanctions screening and suspicious activity reporting
• Provide strategic advice to the business on compliance and financial crime risks relating to new initiatives market expansions and digital asset use cases including crypto and stablecoin integrations
• Ensure that compliance and financial crime risk considerations are fully embedded in new initiatives in alignment with Visas broader strategic direction risk appetite and culture of integrity
• Lead the annual AML risk assessment and ensure its relevance to the VPL business model threat landscape and regulatory expectations
• Represent VPL in interactions with the FCA law enforcement agencies and external partners and participate in internal governance and risk forums
• Review and sign off on regulatory and law enforcement reporting including SARs FCA returns and other relevant disclosures
• Drive continuous improvement of AML and CTF training programmes Management Information and testing
• Oversee outsourced AML and CTF functions and ensure robust oversight in line with regulatory expectations
• Collaborate across Visas global compliance and risk ecosystem to ensure consistency and leverage best practices

Qualifications

• 15 or more years of experience in compliance and AML with at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Significant experience as an MLRO or Deputy MLRO in a UK FCA regulated entity (preferably within payments emoney or fintech)
• In depth knowledge of UK financial crime regulations (POCA MLRs Sanctions Act) and applicable FCA expectations (eg SYSC 63)
• Experience advising on complex and or innovative products including digital assets and crossborder payment flows
• Strong understanding of the regulatory environment for payment institutions and emoney firms
• Demonstrated ability to lead influence and partner with senior stakeholders product teams and regulators
• Sound judgement and a pragmatic risk based approach to compliance challenges
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to distill complex issues into actionable guidance

Preferred education and certifications

• Bachelors degree required and or advanced degree (eg LLM MSc in Risk and Compliance) preferred
• Industry-recognised qualifications (eg CAMS ICA Diploma in AML) strongly preferred

Additional Information

Visa is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Client-provided location(s): London, United Kingdom

Job ID: 6d9ac3c9-f0c9-4687-9642-e5ce63087508

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-08-14T08:23:31