Hire a Fractional MLRO · Fractional MLRO Jobs UK
Fractional MLRO · Hire a fractional MLRO, or hire an MLRO
Hire a fractional MLRO — qualified SMF17 AML leadership, typically 1–2 days per week (FD Capital), for banks, fintech companies, and regulated financial institutions, without full-time regulatory overhead. This page also lists current fractional MLRO opportunities across UK financial services for experienced compliance leaders seeking flexible positions.
How a brief runswhat we undertake
- 01Brief30-MINUTE SCOPING CALLDay 0
- 02Shortlist of 3–5VETTED · RATE BENCHMARK · IR35After the brief
- 03InterviewsYOU MEET THE SHORTLISTYour diary
- 04Scoped startFIRST-MONTH OUTCOMES AGREEDYou set the date
- 05Fractional, interim and permanentIR35 POSITION SET OUTOn every brief
Shortlist3–5
15 minutes · video or phone
Book 15 minutes to hire a fractional MLRO
Tell us the scope and the days a week. We come back with MLRO candidates, their day rates and availability.
- 0115 minutes, video or phone
- 02We scope the role and the days a week
- 03A shortlist of 3–5 after the call
- 04Fractional, interim and permanent briefs
Pick a day that suits · live availability
Live roles · last 3 months
Live Fractional MLRO jobs
No live Fractional MLRO roles in the last three months. Showing live legal and compliance roles instead.
Current fractional MLRO opportunities
Fractional Quest is a fractional recruitment agency: send a MLRO brief and we come back with a shortlist of three to five vetted candidates.
01/ the role
What is a fractional MLRO?
A fractional MLRO provides Money Laundering Reporting Officer services on a part-time basis, typically 1–2 days per week (FD Capital). FD Capital puts fractional MLRO rates at £400–£650/day for SME/start-up environments, with sector-specific rates from £450–£700/day for consumer credit up to £1,000–£1,500/day for Tier 1 institutions. They bring senior-level AML compliance expertise to regulated financial services companies requiring dedicated MLRO oversight without full-time regulatory overhead.
Critical regulatory note: The MLRO (SMF17) is a named, FCA-approved, personally-accountable role that cannot be fully outsourced. Fractional means a qualified individual holds the role part-time, or a specialist retainer wraps around an internal MLRO. This ensures proper regulatory accountability while providing cost-effective compliance expertise.
Fractional MLROs often work with smaller banks, fintech companies, payment institutions, and investment firms that need qualified regulatory leadership but operate below the threshold requiring full-time MLRO presence. They establish compliance frameworks, manage regulatory relationships, and ensure ongoing AML obligations are met.
02/ scope
Core fractional MLRO responsibilities
AML compliance oversight
Developing and maintaining anti-money laundering policies, procedures, and controls. Conducting risk assessments, implementing customer due diligence frameworks, and ensuring compliance with UK MLRs, POCA, and FCA regulations.
Regulatory reporting and liaison
Managing suspicious activity reporting (SARs), regulatory correspondence, and examinations. Acting as primary contact with FCA, NCA, and other regulatory bodies while maintaining comprehensive compliance records and audit trails.
Staff training and governance
Designing and delivering AML training programmes, establishing compliance monitoring, and implementing governance frameworks. Building compliance culture and ensuring staff understand their obligations under money laundering regulations.
Systems and process implementation
Implementing AML monitoring systems, transaction screening tools, and compliance reporting platforms. Establishing automated controls, alert management processes, and integration with existing financial crime prevention systems.
How to hire a fractional MLRO
To hire a fractional MLRO, remember the regulatory constraint: SMF17 is a named, FCA-approved, personally-accountable role, so you're appointing a qualified individual to hold it part-time — not outsourcing it. Match sector experience to your permissions (payments, e-money, consumer credit, crypto or banking), agree days per week (typically 1–2, per FD Capital) and rate in writing, and plan for an engagement that carries you through regulatory examinations. Our five-stage vetting process checks FCA qualification before any candidate reaches you.
03/ rates by stage
Rates by regulatory complexity
FD Capital's published MLRO day rates by sector. What a fractional MLRO costs scales with your regulatory environment and AML risk profile.
04/ timing
When to hire a fractional MLRO
Common scenarios where fractional MLRO expertise delivers maximum compliance value with optimal regulatory cost efficiency
Scenario 01
FCA Authorisation
— you need qualified MLRO designation for regulatory approval without full-time commitment
Scenario 02
Compliance Gap
— establish professional AML framework for growing financial services business
Scenario 03
Regulatory Visit
— experienced MLRO guidance through regulatory scrutiny and remediation
Scenario 04
System Implementation
— transition to professional monitoring systems with regulatory expertise
05/ vetting
How vetting and shortlisting work
What we undertake on every brief: five-stage vetting as described on /vetting, and a shortlist of 3–5 with day rate, availability and IR35 position set out.
- 01
Qualification screen
Verify MLRO tenure, sector context and stage fit.
SOURCING - 02
Mandate fit
Match to your situation — stage, board dynamics, timing.
MATCHING - 03
Reference deep-dive
We take references ourselves, from recent past clients — real outcomes, not titles.
VERIFY - 04
Shortlist
Three to five candidates with day rate, availability and IR35 position set out.
SHORTLIST OF 3–5
06/ the appointment
Appointing a part-time MLRO — SMF17, FCA approval and the nominated officer
Before you appoint a part-time MLRO, check which regime your firm sits under, because it changes what the appointment involves. In firms covered by the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, the Money Laundering Reporting Officer is a Senior Management Function — SMF17 — and SMF holders need FCA or PRA approval before they start. The FCA notes that SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 are often held by people who are not members of the governing body, and its guide for solo-regulated firms confirms that one person can hold more than one SMF, with approval sought for each.
Not every AML-regulated business is in the SM&CR: the FCA's approved persons pages note that a firm only registered for payment services or issuing e-money does not fall under it. The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 still apply their own internal controls — a nominated officer to receive internal disclosures, the supervisor told who holds the role, and, for e-money issuers and payment service providers, a named individual monitoring AML compliance. Reports that leave the business go to the NCA as suspicious activity reports.
Part-time works when the days match the firm's risk and its volume of alerts, and when cover is agreed for absences. If you also need someone to own the wider compliance function, see part-time compliance jobs or a part-time chief compliance officer.
07/ questions
Fractional MLRO FAQ
The questions people ask before bringing in a fractional MLRO.
Book 15 minutes · shortlist of 3–5
Bring the brief. We architect the team.
A shortlist of 3–5 with day rate, availability and IR35 position set out, after five-stage vetting.
