Deputy MLRO / Head of Compliance

Company Overview

Torus Mara Finance Inc is a globally operating money service business headquartered in Canada with a US parent company. The firm delivers modern financial solutions for institutions, corporations, and SMEs working in emerging markets, particularly focusing on currency corridors between major global markets (US, UK, Canada, EU) and various African countries.

The UK subsidiary, Torus Financial Limited, is an FCA-authorized Electronic Money Institution developing and expanding its UK operations. Following regulatory authorization, the company is enhancing its compliance team to support business growth and product launches.

Position Summary

This role seeks a seasoned Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) / Head of Compliance to oversee the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and financial crime compliance functions in the UK EMI. It is an active, operational role with responsibility for embedding and improving compliance frameworks as the company scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance the AML/Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) framework, ensuring adherence to Money Laundering Regulations 2017, JMLSG guidance, FCA Financial Crime Guide, and SYSC requirements.
• Keep corporate money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessments updated in line with evolving products, markets, and transaction volumes.
• Manage daily financial crime operations including Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for high-risk clients and corridors, and ongoing KYC updates.
• Oversee transaction monitoring, sanction and Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) screening, and handle prompt investigation and resolution of alerts.
• Serve as the recipient of internal suspicious activity reports; review and, when appropriate, submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the NCA/UK Financial Intelligence Unit and handle Defence Against Money Laundering (DAML) consent requests.
• Prepare and submit regulatory returns such as REP-CRIM via RegData and comply with all notification duties.
• Maintain thorough records related to SARs, CDD, screening, transaction monitoring, and risk assessments in accordance with FCA and regulatory obligations.
• Design and implement compliance monitoring programs to evaluate the effectiveness of controls and manage remediation processes.
• Support external and internal audits, skilled person reviews, and comply with regulator information requests.
• Develop and deliver AML/CTF and broader compliance training to staff, enhancing awareness of financial crime risks and compliance responsibilities.
• Foster a robust compliance culture across the UK business and affiliated units.
• Monitor regulatory developments in AML and financial crime legislation and implement necessary operational changes.
• Engage with FCA and other regulators on AML matters, acting as a senior compliance contact and deputising during MLRO absence.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, law, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years in AML/financial crime compliance within financial services, preferably at an Electronic Money Institution, payments firm, or UK-regulated MSB.
• Comprehensive knowledge of MLR 2017, JMLSG guidance, FCA Financial Crime Guide, SYSC, and UK sanctions regime (OFSI).
• Direct experience managing CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions and PEP screening, and the SAR process with UK authorities.
• Experience with higher-risk corridors and emerging markets, particularly African regions, is advantageous.
• Professional AML certifications like ICA Diploma, CAMS or similar credentials are highly preferred.
• Familiar with the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR) and prepared for senior compliance function approval including MLRO (SMF17) roles in future.
• Proficiency with leading AML platforms and tools, excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to work autonomously making risk-informed decisions in a fast-moving environment.