City & Capital are currently working with a rapidly growing real estate finance lender who are looking to appoint an experienced & dynamic MLRO to head up activity for their flagship lending arm. This is a pivotal role where you will be responsible for overseeing and managing all anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), and other financial crime prevention activities across the company’s lending & investment portfolio. You will report directly to the Group MLRO & will take ownership of MLRO functions for the group’s flagship lending arm. Our client is experiencing substantial growth having doubled in size for the 6th consecutive year and are looking for someone with a proactive mindset who can lead from the front in this critical area of compliance. Key Responsibilities: Develop, implement, and maintain the company’s AML policies and procedures to ensure compliance with UK regulations and other applicable laws Conduct regular reviews of the company’s AML policies, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and compliant with current regulations. Lead the company’s response to any potential AML or financial crime-related risks, overseeing investigations and reporting findings to senior management. Lead activity undertaken by KYC/AML Analysts Report any suspicious activity in line with legal obligations to the relevant authorities, including the National Crime Agency (NCA). Act as the key liaison point with regulatory bodies, auditors, and external stakeholders in relation to AML and financial crime matters. Ensure all regulatory filings and reporting are timely and accurate, maintaining a solid understanding of FCA guidelines and other regulatory requirements. Design and deliver regular AML training to staff, ensuring that all employees are aware of their obligations and the company’s approach to financial crime prevention. Work closely with key business stakeholders to ensure a robust culture of compliance throughout the organisation. Oversee and manage the process for customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) for new and existing borrowers, ensuring appropriate screening and risk assessments are completed. Monitor and track high-risk transactions, ensuring they are reviewed and investigated in a timely manner. Collaborate with the Head of Risk and other senior stakeholders to identify and mitigate potential risks across the business. Ensure the ongoing development of the company’s financial crime compliance framework, adapting to changes in legislation and regulatory expectations. Advise and support senior management in their decision-making processes with clear, actionable insights into financial crime and compliance risks. Required Experience: Proven experience as an MLRO in a regulated UK environment, ideally within the financial services or real estate finance sectors. In-depth knowledge of UK financial crime regulations Expertise in managing the full lifecycle of CDD and EDD processes, particularly for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and corporate clients, ensuring all AML regulations are adhered to and high-risk clients are appropriately monitored. Strong experience in implementing risk management frameworks to identify, assess, and mitigate financial crime risks specific to real estate lending. Demonstrable ability to conduct investigations into suspicious activities, with experience in transaction monitoring Proven track record in submitting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and managing the reporting process in accordance with UK regulations. Extensive experience in developing and implementing AML policies and procedures to ensure the business meets all regulatory requirements. Training & development: Experience in delivering training programmes for staff at all levels on AML, financial crime, and regulatory compliance. Stakeholder management: Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with experience in working with senior management, external auditors, regulators (such as the FCA), and law enforcement agencies. A keen eye for detail, with the ability to manage complex datasets and identify trends in customer transactions. On Offer: The basic salary for this role is between £100k - £140k, with a salary range based on experience. Higher offers may be considered for exceptional talent and experience. Salary will be complemented by an annual discretionary bonus that will further enhance earnings. Most notably, due to continued growth, this role also comes with significant progression potential. As the business expands, the opportunity for career advancement within the company is exceptional, with the chance to move into more senior compliance/risk roles as excellent performance is delivered. This aligns with the company’s strong and proven promote from within policy. The role will be based in our clients Mayfair offices, offering a collaborative and fast-paced working environment. Given the speed of growth and urgency to fill the position, if this role sounds like a perfect fit, we would love to receive your application. We will review applications, and if your experience meets the client’s needs, we will contact you to discuss the role in more detail. We look forward to hearing from you.