MLRO / Head of AML (Riga)

About the Company

The client is a regulated financial services company operating within the Latvian and EU regulatory environment. The business works with payment partners and is preparing for further product and market launches. This role offers the opportunity to influence the company’s AML framework, regulatory relationships and financial crime risk management at the highest level.

About the Role

As Money Laundering Reporting Officer , you will lead the AML team and take practical ownership of the company’s AML/CTPF and sanctions compliance framework. You will advise the Management Board on financial crime risk while acting as the primary AML contact for Latvijas Banka, the Latvian Financial Intelligence Unit and other relevant authorities. Your work will directly support regulatory compliance, operational resilience and future product and market launches.

Responsibilities

• Act as the appointed MLRO and primary liaison with Latvijas Banka, the Latvian Financial Intelligence Unit and other relevant authorities;




• Own and continuously improve the AML/CTPF Policy, enterprise-wide risk assessment and supporting procedures;




• Ensure the framework remains aligned with Latvian law, EU AML requirements, the upcoming AMLR and AMLA framework, and FATF standards;




• Oversee suspicious activity monitoring and ensure timely, accurate and high-quality SAR reporting;




• Strengthen customer risk scoring, initial and ongoing CDD, EDD, sanctions screening and PEP screening controls;




• Lead, mentor and develop the AML team while maintaining clear ownership and accountability;




• Manage AML-related due diligence requests from payment partners and ensure appropriate checks on vendors and other business relationships;




• Drive the timely remediation of findings from independent AML testing, audits and regulatory reviews;




• Deliver risk-based AML/CTPF training and provide regular AML information and risk reports to the Management Board;




• Own regulatory AML reporting and support product and market launches through risk assessments and effective control design.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of AML/CTF experience within a bank, EMI, PI or another regulated financial services company;




• At least 2 years in a senior or leadership AML position ;




• Strong working knowledge of Latvian AML/CTF law, EU AML requirements, FATF Recommendations and applicable sanctions regimes;




• Proven experience managing regulatory relationships and supporting on-site inspections or regulatory reviews;




• Hands-on experience with remote identity verification, transaction monitoring, and sanctions and PEP screening tools;




• Demonstrated experience leading and developing a compliance or AML team;




• Excellent written and spoken Latvian and English , together with a professional qualification such as CAMS, ICA Diploma in AML or equivalent .

Nice to Have

• Previous experience acting as an appointed MLRO ;




• Experience within an EMI, PI or FinTech business regulated by Latvijas Banka or another EU/EEA competent authority;




• Experience with card acquiring .

Key Competencies

• Sound judgement when assessing complex financial crime and regulatory risks;




• Clear communication with regulators, senior management and external partners;




• Practical leadership focused on team development and effective execution;




• Ability to translate regulatory developments into workable policies, procedures and controls;




• Strong ownership of sensitive matters, regulatory deadlines and remediation activity.

The Employer Offers

• Formal ownership of the company’s AML/CTPF and sanctions compliance framework;




• Leadership responsibility for the AML team;




• Direct access to the Management Board and responsibility for senior-level risk reporting;




• Significant involvement in regulatory inspections and relationships with Latvian authorities;




• The opportunity to improve core AML systems, methodologies and operational controls;




• Influence over the control design supporting future product and market launches.