Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) / BSA Officer

We are supporting a high-growth digital payments and crypto infrastructure business in the search for an experienced Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to lead and enhance its U.S. financial crime compliance framework.

This is a senior, hands-on appointment with formal responsibility for the firm’s U.S. AML programme. The successful candidate will take ownership of the design, execution, and ongoing development of a robust compliance structure that supports regulatory readiness and business growth across the United States.

This opportunity would suit someone who is comfortable operating with autonomy, making high-impact decisions, and acting as a key contact for regulators and other external stakeholders.
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The opportunity

Our client is building a scalable, regulator-ready financial crime function to support continued expansion in the U.S. market. The MLRO will hold responsibility for the organisation’s AML and sanctions controls, suspicious activity reporting, transaction monitoring oversight, and wider financial crime governance.

The role also includes significant involvement in U.S. state licensing activity, with a focus on supporting and progressing money transmission permissions through a combination of internal coordination and external vendor solutions.

This is a leadership role for someone who can build, challenge, and strengthen controls in a fast-moving environment.
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Key responsibilities

• Act as the designated BSA Officer / MLRO for the U.S. business, with responsibility for AML compliance under relevant U.S. financial crime regulations
• Oversee and continuously improve the AML framework, ensuring it remains risk-based, proportionate, and aligned to the business model
• Lead decision-making on higher-risk customers, transactions, and cases, including SAR assessment, preparation, and filing
• Manage and enhance core AML controls including CDD, EDD, source of funds reviews, sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring
• Maintain oversight of monitoring rules, alert thresholds, case workflows, and investigative standards
• Serve as the principal contact for financial crime matters with relevant regulators, enforcement bodies, auditors, and exam teams
• Coordinate responses to regulatory reviews, audits, remediation actions, and legal information requests
• Ensure reporting deadlines and recordkeeping obligations are met across all AML and sanctions activity
• Oversee key compliance technology and third-party vendors, including identity verification, monitoring, and blockchain intelligence providers
• Partner closely with product, operations, and engineering teams to ensure compliance controls are embedded into systems and user journeys
• Exercise authority to escalate, restrict, or prevent activity where financial crime concerns are identified
• Support ongoing licensing and regulatory approval activity across U.S. states
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Candidate profile

• At least 3 years of experience within AML/BSA compliance, ideally in fintech, payments, money services, digital assets, or another regulated financial services environment
• CAMS or similar relevant certification
• Previous experience in a BSA Officer, MLRO, Deputy MLRO, or equivalent senior AML position
• Strong knowledge of suspicious activity reporting obligations and regulatory expectations
• Good understanding of sanctions controls, transaction monitoring, and financial crime risk management
• Familiarity with blockchain analytics and digital asset-related typologies is advantageous
• Experience dealing with regulatory examinations, independent AML reviews, or audit processes
• Confidence in making sound judgement calls in complex or high-risk situations
• Strong written communication, documentation, and analytical skills
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Additional preferred experience

• Exposure to digital asset or non-custodial transaction models
• Experience building or scaling AML frameworks in fast-growth businesses
• Background in implementing practical controls within product or operational environments
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What makes this role attractive

• Senior ownership and visibility within a scaling business
• Broad remit across AML, sanctions, monitoring, and regulatory engagement
• Opportunity to shape financial crime controls in a growing and innovative sector
• Fast-paced environment with a practical, delivery-focused culture
• Competitive package, performance-related bonus potential, and additional professional development support

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