Head of Compliance / Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)

Head of Compliance / Money laundering / Tripadvisor

About Tripadvisor 

We believe that we are better together, and at Tripadvisor we welcome you for who you are. Our workplace is for everyone, as is our people-powered platform.  At Tripadvisor, we want you to bring your unique identities, abilities, and experiences, so we can collectively revolutionize travel and together find the good out there.

Tripadvisor provides payment services through several subsidiaries, including Owl Payments Limited (Owl UK).

The Role 

We are seeking an experienced Head of Compliance /  Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to lead compliance and financial crime functions at Owl UK, a payments institution regulated by the FCA.  This leadership role requires deep regulatory expertise, strategic vision, and operational excellence.

You will oversee compliance for Owl UK and support Tripadvisor's broader payments compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to legal requirements and supervisory expectations. Key responsibilities include managing the compliance program, driving regulatory initiatives, and collaborating with stakeholders to uphold a strong compliance culture.

Job Location: Hybrid

This role is a hybrid position that requires 1 or 2 days per month in our Oxford office

What You’ll Do

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Act as Owl UK’s Payment Service Directive (PSD) Individual, Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) under the FCA regulatory framework.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance framework, ensuring adherence to FCA regulations, Payment Services Regulations (PSRs) and AML requirements.
• Provide regulatory advice to the Owl UK board and senior management, ensuring proactive compliance with evolving laws and regulations.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the FCA and other regulatory bodies, handling all compliance-related communications, audits, and reporting.
• Oversee regulatory reporting, including suspicious activity reports (SARs), annual AML reports, and FCA notifications.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & Financial Crime
• Lead Owl UK’s financial crime compliance program, ensuring robust controls to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, and fraud.
• Maintain and enhance AML/CTF policies, procedures, and systems to ensure effective risk management and compliance with UK AML regulations, JMLSG guidance, and FATF recommendation's
• Act as Owl UK’s MLRO, overseeing transaction monitoring, SARs submission to the National Crime Agency (NCA), and financial crime risk assessments.
• Ensure ongoing customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), and know-your-customer (KYC) processes are effectively managed.
• Lead AML training and awareness programs for employees, fostering a strong compliance culture.

Risk Management & Internal Controls

• Develop and oversee risk-based compliance monitoring programs to assess and enhance the effectiveness of controls.
• Ensure a robust fraud prevention and detection framework, collaborating with relevant teams to mitigate risks.
• Oversee periodic compliance audits, ensuring the business operates within regulatory expectations.
• Monitor industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging risks, advising the Board on necessary adjustments

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership, fostering a culture of integrity and compliance.
• Work closely with legal, risk, product, and operations teams to ensure compliance is embedded in all business activities.
  Act as a key point of contact for external auditors, regulatory bodies, banking partners, and law enforcement.

Skills & Experience 

• We’re looking for a seasoned compliance professional with the right mix of expertise, leadership, and a steady hand under pressure. You pride yourself on your positive disposition, sense of humour, and work ethic, You're collaborative and unflappable.
• Ideally, you’ll have top-notch credentials (ICA Diploma, CAMS, or equivalent) and a deep understanding of payments regulations like FCA regulations, Payment Services Regulations (PSRs), Electronic Money Regulations (EMRs), and UK AML laws.
• You have experience liaising with regulatory bodies, including FCA, NCA, HMRC, and law enforcement agencies.
• If you’ve been an FCA-approved SMF16/17 before or a PSD Individual, even better.
• You should be a strategic thinker who can navigate regulatory challenges, manage auditors effectively, and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills, board-level communication chops, and unwavering integrity are a must.

What We Offer 

• Flexible activity-based working fostered collaboration and productivity
• Inclusive global travelers community welcoming diverse perspectives
• Competitive salary package including performance bonuses and equity plan
• Development programs, managerial courses, and learning series
• Health insurance covers medical, dental, and vision for families (varies by country)
• Lifestyle Reimbursement Benefit for personal travel, and physical, mental, and financial wellness
• Several paid time off programs, including time to bond with new children and care for family members. Paid public holidays, and year-end office shutdown
• Employee assistance program for short-term counseling and free Calm app subscription
• State-of-the-art offices: dining, coffee points, and leisure areas

We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please make sure to reach out to your individual recruiter or our team at AccessibleRecruiting@tripadvisor.com.

If you have any additional questions about careers at Tripadvisor you can email us at recruitment@tripadvisor.com. We have all the answers!

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