Director of Financial Crime & Innovation

Adria Solutions Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing digital banking platform in Manchester is seeking a Director of Financial Crime & Innovation to redefine financial crime prevention using data, automation, and AI. The role involves leading the Financial Crime function, integrating machine learning, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership experience within regulated environments and expertise in AML and fraud prevention. The position offers a hybrid working model and various employee benefits including generous holiday leave.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Birthday leave

Well-being days

Access to cutting-edge tools

Qualifications

• Leadership experience within digital banking or regulated environments.
• Expertise in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and fraud prevention.
• Ability to work with technical teams effectively.
• Experience in transformation within risk or compliance framework.
• Skilled in influencing and collaborating with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Financial Crime function focusing on prevention and detection.
• Translate regulations into automated, customer-centered controls.
• Collaborate with AI and tech teams for data analytics integration.
• Deliver strategic insights to senior leadership and board members.
• Drive ownership and assurance across control processes.

Skills

Strong leadership experience in financial crime

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

High technical fluency

Experience delivering transformation or operating model change

Gravitas 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 Director 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.