Director of Financial Crime & Innovation

Adria Solutions; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth digital banking platform is seeking a Director of Financial Crime & Innovation to lead the development of a tech-enabled financial crime framework. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership experience in regulated environments and a deep understanding of AML and fraud prevention. This role offers hybrid working, generous holidays, and the chance to work with cutting-edge tools.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Birthday leave

Well-being days

Access to cutting-edge tools

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in financial crime leadership roles.
• Experience in digital banking, payments, or similar regulated environments.
• Proficient in collaborating with engineers and data scientists.

Responsibilities

• Lead the 1st line Financial Crime function.
• Translate regulation and risk into automated controls.
• Integrate machine learning and data analytics into monitoring.

Skills

Strong leadership experience in financial crime within regulated environments

Deep subject matter expertise in AML, CTF, sanctions, and fraud

High technical fluency

Experience delivering transformation in risk or compliance

Ability to influence at senior levels

Job description

Director of Financial Crime & Innovation

Redefine how financial crime is prevented - through data, automation, and AI.

A high‑growth digital banking platform undergoing a multi‑million‑pound technology transformation is seeking a Head of Financial Crime & Innovation. This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a next‑generation, tech‑enabled financial crime framework at the forefront of FinTech innovation.

You’ll work closely with the senior leadership team, and cross‑functional teams – including AI, engineering, and product – to embed scalable controls that strengthen trust, meet regulatory standards, and enhance customer experience.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the 1st line Financial Crime function with a vision for smart, scalable prevention and detection.
• Translate regulation and risk into efficient, automated, and customer‑focused controls.
• Partner with AI and technology teams to integrate machine learning, data analytics, and automation into onboarding, monitoring, and investigations.
• Deliver clear, strategic insights to executive and board‑level forums.
• Drive consistent control ownership and assurance across all lines of defence.
• Champion continuous improvement across KYC, transaction monitoring, fraud, and investigations.

What You Bring

• Strong leadership experience in financial crime within regulated environments – digital banking, payments, lending, insurance, or gaming.
• Deep subject matter expertise in AML, CTF, sanctions, and fraud.
• High technical fluency; confident working with engineers, data scientists, and product owners.
• Experience delivering transformation or operating model change in risk or compliance.
• Gravitas to influence at senior levels and collaborate cross‑functionally.

What’s On Offer

• Hybrid working
• Generous holiday allowance, birthday leave, and well‑being days
• Access to cutting‑edge tools and a passionate, mission‑driven team

If you’re ready to shape the future of financial crime prevention – driving innovation while protecting customers at scale – apply now to take the next step in your leadership journey.

Director of Financial Crime & Innovation