Full job descriptionWho we are looking for
We’re seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Financial Crime Operations leader to support our First Line of Defence (1LoD) Financial Crime Operations teams. This role will play a critical part in overseeing the Bank’s end-to-end financial crime controls across client onboarding, ongoing due diligence, transaction monitoring, and screening, and will act as a key deputy to the Director of Financial Crime Operations.
You will bring a strategic mindset and hands-on experience in designing and managing operational frameworks for high-risk and complex client segments such as Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs), Payment Firms, and FinTechs within a regulated banking environment. You will be passionate about operational resilience, scalable control design, and building high-performing teams.
The right candidate thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments, is comfortable challenging the status quo, and demonstrates a deep understanding of financial crime risks, controls, and regulatory expectations across the entire client lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
*Support the Director of Financial Crime Operations in overseeing theBank’s 1LoD Financial Crime Operations departments, ensuring alignment to internal risk appetite, regulatory obligations, and customer outcomes.
*Provide oversight of operational workflows, SLAs, controls, QA expectations, and case escalations across:
*Client Onboarding and Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
*Ongoing Monitoring and Periodic Reviews
*Transaction Monitoring and Screening (name and payment screening)
*Build and maintain effective control frameworks that support scalable onboarding and monitoring of higher-risk products, including:
*Segregated and virtual account structures
*Embedded banking and platform or API-based client flows
*Cross-jurisdictional payment corridors and correspondent-like arrangements
*Drive continuous improvement through process optimisation, tooling enhancements, automation opportunities, and MI improvements.
*Maintain full auditability and regulatory defensibility of operational activity, decisioning, and controls.
*Represent Financial Crime Operations in governance forums, internal and external audits, and regulatory engagements as required.
*Partner closely with Risk, Compliance, Legal, Product, and Technology to ensure financial crime operational frameworks remain effective and fit for scale.
Key requirements
*Proven track record in leading financial crime operations functions within a regulated banking or financial services environment.
*Deep understanding of UK AML/CTF, sanctions, and regulatory expectations(FCA, PRA, JMLSG).
*Experience managing financial crime controls for high-risk client segments (e.g. NBFIs, MSBs, FX brokers, crypto firms).
*Strong understanding of the three lines of defence model and effective 1LoD ownership.
*Expertise in transaction monitoring, name screening, onboarding/KYC, and ongoing monitoring from both an operational execution and control design perspective.
*Strategic and analytical thinker with strong judgement and risk awareness.
*Demonstrable experience implementing change (e.g., tooling migrations, process optimisation, TOM builds).
*Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and influencing skills at senior levels.
*Strong communication and documentation skills.