Head of Compliance & MLRO | AI-Native Fintech | London | Up to £140k + equity

Head of Compliance \& MLRO | AI-Native Fintech | London | Up to £140k + equity The Client We are partnering with a high-growth, AI-native fintech backed by some of Europe's most celebrated technology investors, built by a team with a track record of creating multi-billion pound businesses. They are currently progressing their e-money institution (EMI) licence application with the FCA, alongside strong early commercial traction. The Role This is a foundational hire to own compliance end-to-end, reporting to the founders. You will lead the business through FCA authorisation as an e-money institution, then build the systems, processes and monitoring that keep it compliant on an ongoing basis, holding the MLRO responsibility personally and acting as the firm's point of contact with the regulator. This is a builder's role: the founders want someone who designs a lean, automated compliance function and runs it themselves, leaning on AI tooling rather than headcount. Scope is UK e-money and payments only, no crypto or cross-border complexity, but it includes carrying the business through EMI authorisation itself. Key Responsibilities * Lead the EMI licence application through to FCA authorisation, then own the ongoing regulatory relationship * Build and own the compliance function end to end: framework, policies, monitoring and reporting * Act as MLRO, owning financial crime, anti-money laundering, sanctions and transaction monitoring * Own CASS 15 compliance: client money and asset safeguarding across the business * Design and implement an AI-native approach to compliance automation, keeping the function lean * Serve as the primary point of contact for FCA supervisory engagement * Embed a pragmatic compliance culture across a fast-moving, founder-led business * Provide regular compliance and financial crime reporting to the Board Essential Experience * Senior compliance experience within an FCA-regulated payments, e-money or fintech business * Credentials to hold MLRO accountability, with genuine depth of regulatory knowledge * Direct experience with CASS 15 client money and safeguarding rules * A builder mentality: comfortable creating and automating a function from the ground up, not managing an existing one * Active interest in, or use of, AI tooling to automate compliance workflows * Intellectual humility and a sense of humour, comfortable operating lean without a team beneath you Package Salary: up to £140,000 + equity Location: Central London; 5 days on-site is essential Start Date: ASAP *At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.*