Interim UK Compliance Lead

Who you are

• Significant compliance experience within UK financial services, ideally in a fintech or other fast-paced regulated environment
• Strong working knowledge of the FCA regulatory framework and experience supporting or leading compliance for UK regulated products
• Hands-on experience maintaining regulatory authorisations, managing FCA reporting obligations, and supporting ongoing regulatory compliance requirements
• Experience working directly with the FCA during regulatory reviews, examinations, investigations, or other supervisory interactions
• Experience supporting or leading applications for new licences, permissions, or authorisations, ideally including consumer credit or related regulated activities
• Ability to balance regulatory rigour with commercial pragmatism, providing clear advice that mitigates risk while enabling business objectives
• Strong judgment, ownership, and communication skills, with the ability to operate independently and influence senior cross-functional stakeholders
• Experience building or maturing compliance programs, frameworks, policies, and controls in a scaling business

Desirable

• Experience in a startup or high-growth fintech environment
• Experience building a compliance program or function with a high degree of autonomy
• Strong knowledge of AML and financial crime compliance requirements, with experience serving as an MLRO or operating in a comparable senior AML-focused compliance role
• Prior people management experience, or readiness to lead and develop at least one team member
• Familiarity with product development processes and advising on compliance considerations for new products and features
• Relevant compliance certifications or professional qualifications in compliance, AML, or financial crime

What the job involves

• We're hiring a UK Compliance Lead to join Cleo's Legal, Compliance & Policy team in a pivotal role focused on building and leading our UK compliance program
• This is an opportunity to take ownership of compliance for Cleo's UK regulated products, helping shape the framework, processes, and governance that will support our next phase of growth
• You'll serve as the compliance lead for the UK, acting as a key partner to the business and a trusted subject matter expert on FCA requirements, regulatory obligations, and compliance risk
• From maintaining existing authorisation and reporting obligations to supporting new licences and approvals tied to future products, you'll play a central role in helping Cleo scale responsibly and confidently in the UK market
• This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building from the ground up, thrives in fast-moving fintech environments, and is excited by the chance to create a strong, modern compliance program within an international legal, compliance, and policy function
• You'll have significant ownership, visibility, and the opportunity to help shape both the regulatory strategy and the team around it

Key responsibilities

• Take ownership of developing and strengthening Cleo's UK compliance framework, ensuring it is fit for a growing fintech business and aligned to regulatory expectations, business strategy, and product expansion
• Act as the compliance lead for Cleo's UK regulated offerings, advising on applicable FCA rules and broader regulatory requirements across the product lifecycle, from design and launch through ongoing oversight and change management
• Serve as a primary point of contact for UK regulatory matters, including interfacing with the FCA, supporting regulatory queries, examinations, and investigations, and ensuring the business is prepared, responsive, and well-documented
• Oversee ongoing compliance obligations tied to existing UK authorisations, including regulatory reporting, governance requirements, and internal controls needed to maintain a strong compliance posture
• Partner with Legal, Product, and business stakeholders to support applications for new licences, permissions, and authorisations associated with new products, including credit-related permissions and other regulated activity as needed
• Support and help oversee AML compliance requirements, including advising on relevant regulations, financial crime controls, and governance
• Work closely with Legal, Product, Engineering, Operations, and other teams to translate regulatory requirements into practical, scalable processes and controls that enable the business to move quickly while managing risk appropriately
• Identify, assess, and escalate compliance risks; support investigations and remediation efforts; and help ensure that complaints, regulatory issues, and business changes are managed in a way that protects both customers and the company
• Contribute to the growth of Cleo's broader international compliance capabilities, with the opportunity to build processes, improve governance, and manage at least one direct report as the UK program expands

Compensation & Work Arrangement

• £116-145k + Equity
• Fixed-Term Contract
• Senior and Expert level
• London
• Remote from UK