AML Officer - Maternity Cover

payabl. empowers businesses to grow through payments innovation and banking services. Our ambition is to expand our strong portfolio of global financial services we provide to businesses and make them all available in one place on our platform we call payabl.one. As a licensed financial company with principal membership with card schemes, we specialize in global payments and providing businesses with multi-currency accounts.

About this role:

Our Compliance team plays a critical role in protecting payabl., our customers, and our partners from financial crime while enabling the business to grow safely within a regulated environment.

As an AML Officer, you will support the UK entity across a broad range of AML and financial crime activities, including client onboarding, AML investigations, transaction monitoring escalations, sanctions screening, SAR preparation, periodic reviews, and AML process and procedure management.

This is a maternity cover position where you will be expected to work independently and take ownership of day-to-day AML activities. You will work closely with the Head of Compliance & MLRO UK and collaborate with CDD, Onboarding, Risk, Transaction Monitoring, banking partners, and other stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate financial crime risks.

The role is particularly suited to someone who can think beyond a checklist, apply sound risk-based judgement, investigate cases independently, and identify opportunities to improve existing AML processes and procedures.

Reporting Line: Head of Compliance & MLRO UK
Location: UK – Hybrid, with up to 2 days per week from our London Office in Holborn
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover

What you will do:

• Conduct and review client and merchant onboarding activities, including KYC, CDD, and EDD assessments.
• Assess customer risk profiles, business activities, ownership structures, jurisdictions, source of funds/wealth, and other relevant AML risk factors.
• Conduct medium-level AML and financial crime investigations and manage escalations from Transaction Monitoring, Risk teams, and banking partners.
• Review transaction activity and customer behaviour to identify unusual patterns, red flags, and potential financial crime risks.
• Conduct and support sanctions screening and related investigations.
• Prepare and draft Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs/STRs) for escalation to the MLRO and submission to the relevant authorities where appropriate.
• Conduct periodic and annual AML reviews and update customer risk assessments where required.
• Take ownership of existing AML procedures and ensure they are effectively implemented and maintained.
• Identify gaps and opportunities to improve AML processes, controls, and procedures.
• Support the development and implementation of AML procedures for new products and business activities.
• Apply UK AML/CTF requirements and FCA expectations to day-to-day AML activities.
• Provide guidance to relevant stakeholders on customers, transactions, and activities presenting AML or financial crime risks.
• Maintain accurate and confidential customer and AML records.
• Escalate material findings, risks, and potential regulatory concerns to the Head of Compliance & MLRO UK.
• Work closely with Compliance, CDD, Onboarding, Risk, Transaction Monitoring, banking partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Stay informed about regulatory developments and evolving financial crime risks and adapt processes where required.

What we need:

• 5+ years of relevant AML / Financial Crime experience within financial services.
• Proven hands-on experience across multiple AML activities, including KYC/CDD/EDD, client onboarding, AML investigations, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and SAR/STR preparation.
• Previous experience working within a UK AML and FCA-regulated environment.
• Strong experience conducting client or merchant onboarding reviews and assessing AML and financial crime risks.
• Experience handling AML investigations and escalations, with the ability to assess cases using a risk-based approach rather than relying solely on predefined procedures.
• Experience preparing or drafting SARs/STRs and understanding the appropriate escalation process.
• Experience maintaining, structuring, or improving AML processes and procedures.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of cases, and make sound decisions with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Strong understanding of AML/CTF principles, financial crime risks, and UK regulatory expectations.
• Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and the ability to identify inconsistencies and investigate beyond the initial information provided.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• High level of professional integrity, ethical judgement, and confidentiality.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, regulated, and continuously evolving environment.

Nice to have:

• Experience within Payments, E-money, EMI, Fintech, PSP, or other regulated financial-services environments.
• Experience with acquiring, merchant services, or payment processing.
• Experience working with AML, sanctions, or transaction monitoring technology platforms such as ComplyAdvantage, LexisNexis, or similar.
• AML certification such as ACAMS, ICA, or equivalent, or a commitment to obtain certification.
• Experience supporting AML requirements, procedures, or controls for new products or business activities.

The perks of being a payabl.er

• Max Out Your Downtime: 25 days of vacation + public holidays + 10 days of sick leave.
• Grow with Us:  Annual Learning Budget for professional development (eligible after probation)—because your growth is our growth.
• Dine Your Way: Savour convenience with a £150 monthly Uber Eats credit—your favourite meals, delivered right to you. 
• Commute in Comfort: After successfully completing your probation, enjoy an extra £150 per month transportation allowance,  added to your salary to make your commute smoother.
• Celebrate Together: We bring colleagues from all offices together for unforgettable company celebrations.
• Global Collaboration & Events: Opportunities to participate in international company events and initiatives, connecting with colleagues from all regions and contributing to a truly global community
• Enhanced Family Leave: 26 weeks’ maternity leave at full pay plus 13 weeks at statutory pay, and 2 weeks’ paternity leave at full pay, provided that you have been employed with us for a minimum of one year.

Hiring Process:

• TA Interview – A 30–40 minute interview to assess AML experience, UK/FCA exposure, role fit, motivation, and experience across key AML activities.
• In-Depth Interview – A 60-minute interview with the Hiring Manager, our Head of Compliance & MLRO UK, to explore your AML expertise, relevant achievements, investigation experience, and alignment with the role.
• Final Interview – A 30–40 minute interview with C-Level leadership to discuss behavioural fit, ownership, communication, and ways of working, as well as answer any final questions.

Let's embark on a journey to redefine the landscape of payments together. We're not just offering a role; we're inviting you to be a part of something bigger. Join our team, and let's innovate, disrupt, and lead the future of payments. Together, we can make an impact that resonates. Welcome to the team! 

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