Regulatory Compliance Manager

Ryft is an FCA-authorised payment institution and PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment facilitator, providing acquiring and payments infrastructure to merchants and marketplaces. We're growing fast, expanding across the UK, EU and US, and building a compliance function that can scale with us.

The Role

We're looking for a Regulatory Compliance Manager and Deputy MLRO to strengthen our second line of defence as Ryft scales. You'll work closely with the MLRO to ensure Ryft meets its obligations as an FCA-regulated payment institution and as a facilitator operating under Visa, Mastercard and Amex scheme rules. This is a hands‑on role covering regulatory compliance, card scheme compliance, policy ownership and merchant risk oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and interpret FCA requirements relevant to payment institutions, including the Payment Services Regulations 2017, safeguarding rules, DISP (complaints handling), SYSC and financial promotions.
• Own and maintain compliance policies and procedures, keeping them current against regulatory change and internal audit findings.
• Act as a subject matter expert on Visa, Mastercard and Amex scheme rules, including merchant registration, brand protection, high-risk merchant categorisation and scheme fines/violations.
• Support merchant onboarding and underwriting by advising on risk classification, KYB requirements and scheme-specific restrictions.
• Manage regulatory reporting obligations and support FCA returns and submissions.
• Support the MLRO on AML/CTF matters, including SARs, risk assessments and transaction monitoring escalations.
• Track third‑party and outsourcing risk in line with DORA and FCA operational resilience expectations.
• Prepare board and committee papers summarising compliance risk, incidents and regulatory developments.
• Act as a point of contact for compliance queries from Commercial, Underwriting and Engineering teams.
• Support due diligence responses for partners and acquiring banks (e.g. DDQs, scheme audits, partner reviews).

What We’re Looking For

• Strong working knowledge of FCA rules applicable to payment institutions and/or e‑money institutions.
• Practical experience with card scheme rules, ideally across Visa, Mastercard and Amex (merchant registration, high‑risk MCCs, scheme compliance programmes).
• Experience in a payments, acquiring, PSP or fintech compliance function.
• Confident communicator able to translate regulatory requirements into practical guidance for commercial and technical teams.
• Comfortable working independently and prioritising across competing regulatory demands.
• Excellent attention to detail and clear, concise written work (policies, reports, board papers).

Nice to Have

• Experience with AML/CTF frameworks and SAR processes.
• Familiarity with PCI DSS requirements.
• Exposure to safeguarding and CASS‑adjacent requirements for payment institutions.

What Ryft Offers

• The chance to build compliance capability at a fast‑growing, FCA‑regulated fintech.
• Direct exposure to leadership and real influence over how the function is shaped.
• Hybrid working from our Manchester base.
• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.

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