Director of Financial Crime 1LOD

Interquest; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing challenger bank is seeking a Director of Financial Crime to lead their AML and KYC processes while managing a dedicated team. The role requires strong expertise in financial crime prevention, and the ability to communicate with senior stakeholders. Join at a pivotal time to influence critical financial crime controls in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in correspondent banking or BaaS is essential.
• Strong understanding of fintech or payments.
• Senior-level financial crime expertise with exposure to AML, KYC, and EDD.

Responsibilities

• Lead the bank's approach to AML, KYC, and due diligence.
• Act as a subject matter expert in correspondent banking/BaaS.
• Manage a small, capable team focused on accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Correspondent banking experience

AML expertise

KYC knowledge

Team leadership

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Director of Financial Crime (1 LOD) - Challenger Bank — Hybrid: 2-3 days per week in London

Do you want to be part of a culture that values decisiveness, innovation, and impact over bureaucracy? Do you thrive in high-growth, fintech-focused environments where you can be both hands-on and strategic?

I'm supporting a fast-growing challenger bank as they strengthen their Financial Crime function with the appointment of a Director of Financial Crime Risk. This is a first line of defence leadership role, responsible for shaping and overseeing the bank's AML, KYC, and due diligence processes across multiple business lines.

You'll join at a pivotal moment giving you the opportunity to make your mark, influence how things are built, and ensure financial crime controls keep pace with rapid business expansion.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the bank\'s approach to AML, KYC, and enhanced due diligence across client onboarding and lifecycle management.
• Acting as a trusted subject matter expert in correspondent banking/BaaS, ensuring risks unique to this model are properly managed.
• Representing the function at senior governance forums and risk committees - translating complex issues clearly and credibly to senior stakeholders.
• Rolling out enhancements to the target operating model and ensuring effective controls are embedded day-to-day.
• Managing a small but highly capable team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Supporting client-facing discussions with global regulated institutions, demonstrating both technical expertise and commercial pragmatism.
• Working closely with product and technology teams to explore how tools and innovation can strengthen the bank\'s approach to financial crime risk.
• Providing clear, data-driven reporting to senior management and the Board.

What we\'re looking for

• Proven experience in correspondent banking or BaaS is essential
• A background in fintech or payments, with strong understanding of working with other regulated financial institutions.
• Senior-level financial crime expertise with hands-on exposure to AML, KYC, and EDD.
• Gravitas and confidence in presenting to executives, regulators, and clients.
• Experience building, leading, and developing teams.
• Exposure to technology and tooling in the financial crime space is a plus.

InterQuest Group is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. InterQuest Group is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, religion/belief, race, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, sex or sexual orientation. Please make us aware if you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.