MLRO- GRC & Risk
About this role
MLRO — GRC & Risk, UK
London
About the team
SumUp's Governance, Risk and Compliance team sits at the heart of how we operate responsibly across our global markets. In the UK, we're at a pivotal moment, our financial crime function is growing, and we need the right person to lead it. As our UK MLRO, you'll hold statutory responsibility for SumUp's AML/CTF programme, serving as the primary point of contact with the FCA and UK law enforcement on all financial crime matters. This is a role where your expertise genuinely matters; the decisions you make, the frameworks you build, and the relationships you hold with regulators will directly shape how SumUp grows and operates in the UK.
🎥 Take a look at our London office.
Responsibilities
- Own and lead SumUp's UK AML/CTF programme, ensuring it meets FCA expectations and and hold overall responsibility for the effective detection, prevention, and reporting of financial crime across our UK operations
- Act as the primary point of contact with the FCA and UK law enforcement agencies on all financial-crime related matters and hold overall responsibility for the effective detection, prevention, and reporting of financial crime across our UK operations
- Review and make decisions on Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), including complex escalations requiring careful judgement
- Oversee transaction monitoring, CDD/EDD processes, and second-line assurance of outsourced or technology-enabled controls
- Support preparation for FCA supervisory engagements, audits, and thematic reviews
- You'll be great for this role if…
- Prior experience as an MLRO or Deputy MLRO within the UK financial services sector, ideally in fintech, payments, or e-money
- Deep knowledge of UK AML/CTF regulations, JMLSG guidance, and law enforcement reporting frameworks
- Strong judgement when reviewing high-risk cases, transaction monitoring alerts, and complex CDD/EDD decisions and the ability to translate complex financial crime risks into practical measures that support business growth while ensuring compliance with AML/CTF regulations
- Ability to balance commercial priorities with regulatory obligations, and communicate confidently with the FCA and senior leadership
- Eligible for, or already approved for, FCA SMF17 designation
- Why you should join SumUp
- 🌎 Opportunity to work with a truly global, multicultural team from our central Covent Garden location, wrapped in historic charm and modern flair. This involves an office-first setup
- 🌈 Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: be part of a workplace that values and promotes diversity, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone's perspectives are respected and embraced
- 🚀 Enrolment onto our Virtual Stock Option programme: you will own a stake in SumUp's future success
- 🏖 Generous time off: enjoy 28 days of paid leave, plus bank holidays and special leaves
- 📚 A dedicated annual L&D budget for attending conferences and/or advancing your career through further education
- 🏥 Health matters: private health insurance, including optical and dental
- 🚗 Life made easier: salary-sacrifice commuter benefits via Gogeta
- 💼 Financial security: retirement scheme (SumUp matches 7% when you contribute 5%)
- 🛡 Peace of mind: life insurance from MetLife for 2× your salary
- 🌴 Break4me: 1-month sabbatical after 3 years of service
- 🔗 Referral Bonus: earn additional rewards by referring talented individuals to join the SumUp team
About SumUp
Be empowered to do more that matters. At SumUp, we're on a mission to empower small businesses across the globe by providing simple and affordable tools that allow them to thrive. Today, over 4 million businesses in 37 markets rely on SumUp as their financial partner to manage payments, finance and customer relationships. Our commitment to small businesses is reflected in our diverse team of over 3,000 SumUppers from over 90 nationalities, united by global collaboration and an innovative mindset. Our core values lay the foundation for who we are and what we stand for, shaping our work culture and driving our success. We foster inclusivity and a continuous learning culture, providing a safe space for personal and professional growth. Our differences make us unique and strong as we strive to create an environment where everyone belongs and feels supported, no matter how they identify. SumUp is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, actively seeking and embracing diversity in our workforce. We don't make hiring or employment decisions based on race, colour, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other basis protected by applicable laws or prohibited by company policy. Our commitment extends beyond recruitment to creating a safe and respectful workplace where harassment of any form is strictly prohibited. Discover more about our culture and opportunities on our careers website, and follow our journey on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Job Application Tip We recognise that candidates feel they need to meet 100% of the job criteria in order to apply for a job. Please note that this is only a guide. If you don’t tick every box, it’s ok too because it means you have room to learn and develop your career at SumUp.