About the Client

Our client is a European FinTech start-up, part of an established holding, focused on merchant acquiring and payment services. This early-stage company offers the opportunity to build operations from scratch, take ownership, and grow with the business.

Role Overview

As the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), you will play a pivotal role in developing and maintaining the company's Compliance and AML/CFT framework. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape compliance operations, influence strategic direction, and ensure regulatory alignment within a hybrid work environment in Latvia.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the company's Compliance and AML/CFT framework in accordance with Latvian and EU regulations.

• Act as the registered MLRO with the Latvian regulator.

• Support and coordinate the EMI licensing application, including preparation and review of compliance-related documentation, policies, procedures, risk assessments, and responses to regulatory requests.

• Own all regulatory policies, procedures, risk assessments, internal controls, and governance processes.

• Establish and oversee KYC, CDD, EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, and regulatory reporting.

• Once the EMI licence is obtained and the product is operational, collaborate with Compliance teams across other jurisdictions to ensure alignment of the Compliance and AML/CFT framework, policies, controls, and financial crime prevention practices across the group.

• Cooperate with regulators, auditors, banking partners, Visa, Mastercard, and external compliance providers.

• Advise senior management on regulatory risks and compliance strategy.

Requirements

• Previous experience as MLRO or Deputy MLRO within EMI, PSP, Payment Institution, or Acquirer.

• Strong practical knowledge of Latvian and EU regulatory requirements, including AML/CFT, PSD2/PSD3, E-Money Directive, sanctions, safeguarding, and financial crime prevention.

• Experience communicating directly with Bank of Latvia and managing regulatory inspections and audits.

• Strong understanding of payment services, merchant acquiring, card schemes, and payment operations.

• Professional AML certification (CAMS, ICA, or equivalent) is considered an advantage.

• Understanding of payment services and acquiring.

• Fluency in English, Russian/Ukrainian, and Latvian.

• Latvian work authorization required (citizenship, residence permit, or work permit).

Key Soft Skills

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and regulations.

• Excellent communication skills for effective interaction with regulators and internal teams.

• Ability to work independently and make informed decisions in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to provide training and guidance effectively.

What We Offer

• Regulatory leadership role.

• Collaborative international team.

• Competitive compensation.

• Career development within a growing FinTech.

• Health insurance (on-site in Latvia).