Director - Financial Crime Compliance Operations

Hines; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hines seeks a Director – Financial Crime Compliance Operations to lead the global AML/KYC delivery, including onboarding and ongoing monitoring. You will oversee Luxembourg fund investor KYC, collaboration with RCs, and a team spanning Gurugram and two managers, ensuring regulatory compliance and efficient processes.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage complex cases, and report to leadership while partnering with Investor Relations. Real estate investment experience is valued.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading Financial Crime Compliance operations in investment management or transfer agency.
• In-depth Luxembourg AML regulation knowledge and wider AML, sanctions, and anti-bribery requirements.
• Experience designing or managing AML/KYC operating models.
• Strong organisational and operational planning capability.
• Continuous-improvement mindset with use of technology, automation and data.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operational delivery of Hines' global Financial Crime Compliance programme.
• Manage global due diligence and screening operations and supervise senior team members.
• Oversee investor AML/KYC activities across the investor lifecycle in Luxembourg and collaboration with investors relations.
• Pilot efficient AML/KYC processes while meeting regulatory obligations and minimizing investor friction.
• Develop scalable, risk-based operational processes and drive use of technology and data to improve efficiency.
• Coach and develop the Global Centre of Excellence and India-based analysts.
• Prepare management information/reporting for senior leadership and regulators.

Skills

AML/KYC operations

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Operational planning

Financial crime controls

Investor experience

Education

Law/Finance/Business or related

Equivalent experience

Tools

None

Job description

Overview

When you join Hines, you will embark on a career journey fueled by vision and guided by leaders who set the standards of our industry. Our legacy is rooted in innovation and excellence, earning us a spot on Fast Company’s esteemed annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, as well as recognition as one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Companies to Work For in 2024. Discover endless opportunities to grow and make your mark at Hines.

Responsibilities

The Director – Financial Crime Compliance Operations will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operational delivery of Hines' global Financial Crime Compliance programme.

The role will be responsible for managing global due diligence and screening operations, operational planning, supervision of complex and high-risk cases, coaching and development of team members, and ensuring that due diligence is delivered efficiently while meeting Hines' regulatory obligations.

A main responsibility of the role will be to lead our Luxembourg fund investor AML/KYC activities across the investor lifecycle, working closely with our Luxembourg AIFM's RC, Hines Investor Relations and our external Transfer Agent.

The Director will be supported by two Financial Crime Compliance Managers and be responsible for managing two Analysts in our Global Centre of Excellence in Gurugram, India.

• Own the operational delivery of investor AML/KYC from onboarding through ongoing monitoring and periodic review and ensure that AML/KYC processes meet regulatory requirements while minimising unnecessary investor friction.
• Work closely with the AIFM’s RC on final approval of investor KYC, escalation of higher-risk or unusual matters, and reporting.
• Manage investor communication regarding KYC in collaboration with Hines Investor Relations, ensure requirements are identified early, communications are coordinated and duplicative information requests are avoided.
• Establish clear service standards and monitor onboarding turnaround times, outstanding requirements and KYC-related delays.
• Continuously improve the investor onboarding and ongoing KYC experience.
• Oversee and provide guidance on complex and high-risk due diligence cases.
• Prepare management information/reporting.
• Support Luxembourg AML-related regulatory reporting.
• Supervise and review transaction due diligence (buyers, sellers) and due diligence on JV Partners and non-Luxembourg investors.
• Supervise name screening and alert handling process and handle escalations and investigations.
• Supervise vendor due diligence process with regard to third parties posing higher bribery and corruption risks.
• Prepare management information/reporting.
• Develop operational processes that are scalable and risk-based.
• Drive appropriate use of technology, automation and data to improve efficiency and control effectiveness.
• Ensure consistent application of operational procedures, monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Lead, coach and develop team members, including resources within the Global Centre of Excellence, ensuring effective workload management and quality of delivery.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with business teams across Hines.
• Ensure operational risks are identified and appropriately managed.

Qualifications

Essential

• Significant experience leading Financial Crime Compliance operations, gained within investment management or transfer agency.
• In-depth technical knowledge of Luxembourg AML regulation as well as wider anti-money laundering, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption requirements.
• Experience designing or managing AML/KYC operating models.
• Strong organisational and operational planning capability.
• A continuous-improvement mindset with the ability to use technology, automation and data to build scalable processes.
• Sound judgement and ability to combine robust financial crime controls with an excellent investor experience.
• Effective stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong people leadership and coaching skills.

Desirable

• Experience in real estate or private equity.
• Experience implementing technology or AI-enabled process improvements.
• Experience working with offshore support functions / Global Centres of Excellence.
• Degree in law, finance, business, economics or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

Closing

At Hines, we strive for excellence as a leading global real estate investment manager, driven by our belief that real estate is fundamentally about people. Our diverse portfolio spans $93.2 billion¹ of assets across such property types as living, office, retail, mixed-use, logistics and life science projects – all designed to enhance value, connection and inspiration. Our strategic approach integrates local expertise with global knowledge, taking calculated risks aligned with our convictions to exceed expectations and tailor solutions to our clients' needs.

While our projects are renowned for enhancing cities and pioneering sustainable practices, we recognize that the true driving force behind Hines' success is our 5,000 dedicated employees in 30 countries who draw on our 65-year history to build the world forward. This is why we prioritize investing in our people, offering comprehensive training, competitive compensation, robust benefits and generous vacation packages. By centering our focus on the growth and wellbeing of our team, we cultivate an inclusive environment where everyone, including our clients, can thrive.

Hines is proud to be named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2024. ¹Includes both the global Hines organization and RIA AUM as of December 31, 2023.

We are an equal opportunity employer and support workforce diversity.