Job Purpose
To lead and oversee the Bank’s 2LoD Financial Crime Team, responsible for owning, updating, and overseeing compliance with, the Financial Crime Risk Framework to ensure all regulatory obligations are met.
Accountable as the Bank’s MLRO and Nominated Officer, with responsibility for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) / Counter Terrorist Financing (CTF) oversight and acting as the regulatory contact for all financial crime matters.
Provides expert leadership across all areas of Financial Crime Risk, including AML / CTF, Sanctions, Fraud Prevention, Anti Bribery and Corruption, and Tax Evasion, driving a strong control environment and culture of integrity across the Bank.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & strategy
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Lead and evolve the Bank’s Financial Crime Strategy, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations and business priorities.
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Provide clear, credible insight to Executive leadership and the Board on Financial Crime Risks, emerging threats and Key Control Effectiveness.
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Provide expert, pragmatic advice on Financial Crime Risk, supporting informed decision-making across the business.
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Oversee 1LoD teams to ensure effective Financial Crime controls are embedded which support good client outcomes and help drive sustainable business growth.
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Promote and embed a strong Financial Crime Risk Culture, ensuring Policy, Policy Standards, and obligations are clearly communicated and understood across the Bank.
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Support the design and delivery of role based Financial Crime training.
MLRO & regulatory oversight
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Act as the Bank’s MLRO and Nominated Officer, fulfilling all statutory responsibilities.
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Oversee Suspicious Activity Reporting and ensure robust systems and controls are in place to detect and prevent Financial Crime.
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Act as the primary point of contact for regulators and law enforcement (including FCA and NCA), maintaining strong, transparent relationships.
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Responsible for the production of an MLRO Report, at least annually.
Financial Crime Framework, Risks & Key Controls
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Own and continuously enhance the Bank’s Financial Crime Framework, Policies and Policy Standards, ensuring they remain effective, proportionate and aligned to regulatory and legislative requirements.
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Lead Financial Crime Risk & Control Assessments, ensuring risks are identified, understood and managed in line with Board-approved Risk Appetite.
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Ensure Key Controls are designed and operating effectively to mitigate the Financial Crime Risks the Bank is exposed to.
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Oversee breach identification and escalation, ensuring issues are managed, reported and resolved appropriately.
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Monitor regulatory developments, industry guidance and emerging risks, leading timely implementation of enhancements.
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Ensure constant focus is placed on the Key Control environment required to mitigate evolving fraud threats.
Governance, reporting &external engagement
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Deliver clear, insightful MI and reporting to the CRO, Executive and Board Risk Committees, supporting strong oversight.
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Establish and maintain effective governance forums and ensure audit and regulatory readiness.
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Contribute to key Risk Committees and represent Financial Crime in strategic projects and change initiatives.
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Build and maintain relationships with external bodies (e.g. UK Finance, CIFAS), regulators, and key third-party providers.
Team Leadership & capability
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Lead, coach and develop the 2LoD Financial Crime team, ensuring a high-quality, professional service to the business.
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Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and accountability.
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Build strong internal relationships while maintaining appropriate independence and objectivity to protect the Bank and its clients.
Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience:
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Proven senior leadership experience in Financial Crime Risk within financial services, with a recognised Financial Crime qualification.
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Previous experience as, or supporting, an MLRO, with strong understanding of regulatory accountability.
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Experience shaping and enhancing Financial Crime Frameworks, Key Controls and operating models.
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Deep knowledge of UK Financial Crime regulation, including POCA, Money Laundering Regulations, FCA requirements and JMLSG guidance.
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Broad expertise across core Financial Crime risk areas.
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Strong understanding of Private Banking Risks, including high-net-worth clients, complex ownership structures and cross-border activity.
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Sound commercial judgement, with the ability to balance regulatory requirements with client and business needs.
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Ability to work independently, accurately and calmly under pressure to meet tight deadlines, with a genuine desire to keep learning and improving.
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Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a small specialist team (around 5+ years’ leadership experience preferred).
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Confident communicator, able to engage and influence at all levels of the organisation.
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Experienced in managing and challenging senior stakeholders constructively.
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Resilient, solutions‑focused and comfortable providing independent challenge when needed.
