MLRO & DPO

MLRO & Data Protection Officer

Bristol (Hybrid) | Permanent | Full-Time

A growing business services organisation is seeking its first in-house MLRO & Data Protection Officer to take ownership of AML, financial crime, data protection and wider compliance activities across the business.

This is an opportunity to join a well-established company undergoing continued growth, where you’ll have significant autonomy and the chance to shape the compliance framework from the ground up. Previous experience within a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) environment is essential.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to senior leadership, you’ll be responsible for overseeing AML governance, risk assessments, policies and procedures, quality assurance, regulatory engagement, data protection and wider compliance initiatives.

This is a strategic and hands-on role, ideal for someone who enjoys building frameworks, improving controls and acting as the senior compliance subject matter expert within a growing organisation.

Key Responsibilities

AML & Financial Crime

• Act as the senior escalation point for complex, high-risk, EDD, PEP and sanctions matters
• Oversee AML governance, policies, procedures and business-wide risk assessments
• Lead regulatory engagement, audits and information requests
• Monitor regulatory developments and ensure frameworks remain aligned with evolving requirements
• Oversee quality assurance programmes, management information and risk reporting
• Review customer risk methodologies and the effectiveness of AML controls
• Support investigations and suspicious activity reporting processes
• Deliver AML training and contribute to staff awareness and competency programmes

Data Protection

• Own the UK GDPR framework, privacy policies and data retention programme
• Manage data subject rights requests and breach investigations
• Lead DPIAs and provide compliance input on new products, suppliers and business initiatives
• Act as the key point of contact for data protection matters and regulatory engagement

Wider Compliance

• Maintain compliance and risk registers
• Support internal and external audits
• Oversee third-party compliance due diligence
• Produce management and board-level reporting
• Drive continuous improvement across compliance, governance and risk management activities

About You

You’ll bring:

• Previous AML compliance experience within a TCSP, corporate services, formation agent, registered office provider, trust company or similar environment
• Experience as an MLRO, Deputy MLRO or Senior Compliance Manager
• Strong knowledge of the UK Money Laundering Regulations, SARs regime, sanctions and financial crime controls
• Experience assessing complex ownership structures, overseas entities and higher-risk customers
• Working knowledge of UK GDPR and data protection requirements
• Confidence drafting policies, reports and presenting to senior stakeholders
• A pragmatic, commercial and risk-based approach to compliance

Desirable

• ICA, ACAMS or CISI qualifications
• Experience of regulatory inspections or supervisory reviews
• ISO 27001 or broader audit experience
• Experience with digital onboarding, screening and verification solutions
• Leadership or mentoring experience

Why Join?

• First dedicated in-house compliance leadership hire
• Opportunity to shape and influence the compliance function
• Broad remit covering AML, financial crime, data protection and governance
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making
• Growing business with a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture

Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide. However we are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role.

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