AML Financial Crime Team Leader

Kroo Bank Ltd; Camden Town; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A modern banking institution in Camden Town is seeking a Financial Crime Investigator to support their day-to-day operations. The ideal candidate should have proven leadership experience in financial crime prevention, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities. This role offers flexibility with a hybrid working policy and generous benefits, including 25 days of annual leave and mental health support.

Benefits

Generous holiday time

Mental health support

Workplace pension

Cycle to Work scheme

Full healthcare for family

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams within a Financial Crime or Compliance function.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate and mitigate financial crime risks.
• Experience managing escalations from customer service teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the daily operations of the AML & Complex Investigations team.
• Provide coaching and guidance to Investigators.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex financial crime cases.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., ACAMS or ICA)

Strong knowledge of AML and compliance regulations

Job description

Overview

We are a multi-disciplined team of experienced technology, banking, customer experience, marketing, and legal professionals who share a passion for the company's mission and believe in a collaborative approach to creating the greatest social bank. We are building a diverse team of inquisitive people who want to understand customer needs and behaviour so we can develop innovative products that change people's lives for good. We're searching for a resourceful and enthusiastic Financial Crime Investigator who will, amongst other things, support the day-to-day operations of the First Line Financial Crime Operations function. The Kroo is growing and we'd love to hear from you if you're interested in joining us on our journey!

What you'll do

• Lead and support the daily operations of the AML & Complex Investigations team, ensuring alignment with the bank's financial crime prevention strategy.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and performance support to Investigators, fostering continuous improvement and development.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex financial crime cases, offering expert advice and ensuring appropriate resolution, including reporting suspicious activity and responding to Law Enforcement requests.
• Liaise with regulators, law enforcement, and other financial institutions to ensure accurate, timely communication on financial crime matters.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, internal policies, and industry standards.
• Oversee the timely and effective identification, investigation, and escalation of suspicious activity.
• Use data analysis to identify emerging financial crime trends and potential risks.
• Prepare and present Management Information (MI) reports, summarising key insights, performance metrics, and risk indicators for senior management and other stakeholders.
• Work with the Senior Financial Crime Operations Manager and Head of Financial Crime Operations to optimise processes, procedures, and investigative standards.
• Manage team capacity and resources effectively to meet operational demands.

Qualifications and experience

• Proven experience leading teams within a Financial Crime or Compliance function.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate and mitigate financial crime risks such as money laundering, terrorist financing, and fraud.
• Strong knowledge of AML, Counter Terrorist Financing, Sanctions, and related compliance regulations.
• Understanding of broader financial crime risks, including fraud management (specific fraud SME experience not required).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a sharp eye for identifying suspicious patterns and trends.
• Practical experience investigating transaction monitoring alerts, sanctions, Politically Exposed Persons (PEP), and adverse media cases.
• Proven ability to prepare and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) accurately and promptly.
• Experience performing trend analysis to identify and respond to emerging financial crime risks.
• Strong collaboration experience with law enforcement, other financial institutions, and internal stakeholders to prevent and address financial crime.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of conveying complex information clearly and concisely.
• Experience managing escalations from customer service teams, providing expert and practical guidance.
• A record of driving improvements in processes, systems, and controls to enhance compliance and efficiency.
• A positive, enthusiastic attitude and a commitment to high standards of integrity and professionalism.
• Sound knowledge of retail banking operations, products, and customer lifecycle management.
• Relevant professional qualifications such as ACAMS or ICA (or equivalent) are highly desirable.

Role specifics

Kroo has a big vision. To be the first bank that is both trusted and loved by its customers. We are helping people take control of their financial future and achieve their goals, whilst making a positive impact on the planet. Here at Kroo, doing what is right is in our DNA. We act with integrity, transparency and honesty. We think big, dream big, and relentlessly pursue our goals. We like to be bold, break new ground, and we never stop learning. But most importantly, we are on this journey together.

At Kroo Bank, we believe flexibility drives productivity. Our hybrid working policy gives individuals and teams the autonomy to decide how best to use our London office - a vibrant, collaborative space designed to support focused and effective work. We currently operate a blended model where employees spend one day per week in the office. Therefore, this role is best suited to candidates who can commute to London occasionally in line with this approach. This position involves working shifts across five days per week, totalling 37.5 hours. Shift patterns are provided well in advance and typically fall between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. You'll also be required to work weekends on a rotational basis, currently one in every five weekends, with equivalent time off granted during the same week.

Diversity, inclusion and selection process

Diversity and Inclusion: We wholeheartedly uphold our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Every employee is highly regarded, respected, and supported without any form of judgement or prejudice. We consider Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion as fundamental pillars guiding our path in all aspects of our bank. We also ensure that reasonable adjustments are made available to all candidates throughout the recruitment process.

To all Recruitment Agencies: At Kroo Bank, agency resumes are strictly prohibited. Do not submit agency resumes or forward them to our job advertisements or Kroo Bank employees. Kroo Bank will not assume any responsibility for fees incurred due to unsolicited resumes. To ensure a fair and efficient application process, all candidates are kindly requested to submit their applications directly through the advertised platform. Please refrain from reaching out to the company or its employees via email, LinkedIn, or other communication channels for inquiries or updates. Any attempts to contact us through these channels will not receive a response.

Note: Kroo values honesty and integrity in all candidates; therefore, applications should be accurate and truthful. As part of our hiring process, we conduct employment history and reference checks. Any undisclosed discrepancies, misrepresentations, or false information may result in the withdrawal of your application or job offer.

What we offer

• Generous holiday time: 25 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 1 Kroo bank holiday (June 24th), and 1 day off during the week of your birthday.
• Personal days: 3 personal days to use as needed.
• Employer-sponsored volunteer program: Up to 4 hours per month of employer-sponsored volunteer time.
• Mental health support: Access to Spill, our mental health support partner.
• Workplace pension: 5% employee contribution and 3% employer top-up.
• Top-notch equipment: MacBook laptop and support for home office setup if required.
• Modern office: Access to a modern workspace in Farringdon, Central London.
• Cycle to Work scheme and Electric Car scheme.
• Enhanced parental leave and room for growth.
• You get full healthcare for you and your nuclear family via Vitality.