Junior MLRO

About the role

This Junior MLRO position at Kaizen Gaming involves hands-on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) operational work, focusing on the Ontario and Latin American markets. The role requires reviewing alerts, conducting investigations, and escalating cases for Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) or Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) considerations. A key part of the job is performing quality control on escalated cases and high-risk scenarios, ensuring all actions align with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

The successful candidate will be responsible for initiating and overseeing Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) processes and preparing detailed investigative documentation. This includes drafting SARs/STRs for relevant Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) in compliance with regulatory and licensing obligations. The role also involves evaluating decision quality from escalations to identify training needs or process improvements, contributing to the continuous enhancement of AML/CFT policies and procedures based on emerging risks and regulatory updates.

Beyond direct investigations, this role supports the Team Leader in preparing for internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and compliance testing. It also involves preparing and delivering AML/CFT training, updating materials based on new findings and trends, and supporting regulatory oversight through report completion and committee governance. The Junior MLRO will contribute to audit and regulatory examination readiness and other specialized projects, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of AML/CFT frameworks.

Skills that matter here

• financial crime compliance: The role requires experience in this area to understand and mitigate financial crime risks within the iGaming context.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML): This is a core skill for performing operational work, investigations, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• SAR/STR reporting obligations: The role involves drafting and submitting these reports to financial intelligence units as part of regulatory compliance.
• customer due diligence: The candidate will apply this framework to assess customer risk and ensure compliance with AML regulations.
• Enhanced Due Diligence: This skill is used to conduct deeper investigations for high-risk cases and customers.
• transaction monitoring: The role involves reviewing alerts and investigating suspicious transactions as part of AML operations.

Who this role suits

• A candidate with a meticulous approach to investigations and a strong understanding of iGaming or financial services regulatory environments.
• Someone who can clearly articulate complex risk-based decisions and draft precise regulatory narratives.
• An individual who thrives in an environment requiring continuous learning and adaptation to evolving AML/CFT regulations and typologies.
• A professional with high integrity who can maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive financial crime data.

From the employer

As a Junior MLRO, you will:

• Perform AML operational work (reviewing alerts, completing investigations, escalating for STR/SAR considerations).
• Perform quality control reviews on escalations and high-risk cases.
• Review escalated investigations and determine appropriate case outcomes in line with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Review and investigate escalations for suspicious activity from other departments, as well as complex AML cases.
• Initiate and oversee Enhanced Due Diligence where necessary.
• Develop detailed investigative documentation and deliver risk-based recommendations aligned with regulatory obligations.
• Draft Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) / Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) for the relevant Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in accordance with regulatory and licensing obligations.
• Evaluate decision quality from escalations and recommend targeted training or process improvements where gaps are identified.
• Support the Team Leader with documentation and preparation for internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and compliance testing.
• Contribute to policy and procedure enhancements based on emerging risks, trends, and regulatory updates.
• Prepare and deliver AML/CFT training and update training materials based on findings, typologies, and internal trends.
• Support regulatory oversight and governance (completion of regulatory reports, support committee governance, regulatory advisory and strategy, AML training etc.).
• Support audit and regulatory examination readiness, as well as other specialised projects and initiatives.

What you’ll bring:

• At least 4+ years of experience in financial crime compliance, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), or a related field.
• High proficiency/native speaker in English and/or Spanish, both written and spoken.
• Previous people management experience is not required.
• Experience in banking, financial services, or the iGaming industry.
• Strong working knowledge of AML/CFT regulations, including SAR/STR reporting obligations.
• Proven experience reviewing complex investigations and drafting regulatory reports (SAR/STR).
• Advanced knowledge of AML/CFT frameworks, including customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, transaction monitoring, and sanctions compliance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex scenarios and articulate risk-based decisions.
• Excellent written communication skills, particularly in drafting regulatory narratives.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Kaizen Gaming Perks:

• Hybrid way of working.
• A buddy will support you with your onboarding.
• Competitive pay and bonus scheme.
• Private health insurance for you and your family.
• Monthly meal allowance.
• Developmental 360° feedback framework.
• Unlimited access to Udemy & continuous training.
• Family Support.