MLRO

Job Description

Company Introduction

Our client is an emerging financial services company.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive AML/CTF and compliance framework;
• Establish all internal compliance policies, procedures, and controls, ensuring alignment with MFSA licensing requirements and EU regulatory standards;
• Conduct risk assessments, compliance audits, and monitoring to identify potential AML/CTF and regulatory risks;
• Serve as the main point of contact for all compliance matters, providing guidance on regulatory obligations and best practices;
• Act as liaison with regulatory authorities, ensuring timely and accurate submissions, including suspicious transaction/activity reports (STRs / SARs) and other mandated filings;
• Conduct customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), and ongoing monitoring;
• Investigate potential compliance and AML issues, ensuring proper escalation and resolution;
• Embed a culture of compliance, integrity, and regulatory accountability throughout the organisation, including by delivering AML/CTF training to staff;
• Prepare regular compliance reports for senior management and the Board of Directors;
• Build and scale the compliance function in line with business growth;
• Provide ongoing reporting and updates on compliance, risk, and regulatory matters;
• Support the business with broader compliance and operational tasks during the initial growth phase (e.g., assisting with policies in related areas, helping shape internal processes);
• Oversee and manage relationships with third-party KYC, AML, PEP and sanctions screening, and identity verification vendors; ensuring due diligence, ongoing performance monitoring, contractual compliance, alignment with EU regulatory standards, and adherence to internal policy standards. Act as the central point of accountability for vendor system integrity, reporting material outsourcing risks or incidents to the Board and competent authorities where required;
• Implement systems and controls to ensure data integrity, auditability, and traceability across KYC, onboarding, and transaction monitoring systems;
• Collaborate with product, development, and technical colleagues to embed AML/CTF and compliance-by-design principles into new product features, payment flows, and customer journeys;
• Ensure alignment of AML/CTF policies with data protection and operational frameworks, including incident reporting and contingency planning where necessary.

Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Finance, Business, or a related field; professional compliance or AML qualifications (e.g., ICA, CAMS) are strongly preferred;
• Fit and proper person and able to be approved / PQ’d by the MFSA;
• Proven experience establishing and managing AML/CTF and compliance functions within regulated financial services, fintech, or crypto organisations;
• Deep understanding of Maltese and EU regulatory frameworks;
• Experience conducting risk assessments, audits, investigations, and reporting on compliance and AML matters;
• Familiarity with transaction monitoring systems, KYC/EDD processes, and regulatory reporting platforms;
• Familiarity with AML/CTF tools and technology for fintech and crypto operations;
• Understanding of related regulatory frameworks such as the GDPR, MiFID, and so on.

Personal Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with keen attention to detail;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with teams, senior management, and regulators;
• High ethical standards, integrity, and commitment to compliance and regulatory accountability;
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and make sound, risk-informed decisions;
• Collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset, able to foster a culture of compliance within a growing organisation;
• Willingness to be flexible and hands-on, supporting other compliance or operational functions as the business grows.