Financial Crime Operations, Senior Specialist

Vanguard Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment firm in Manchester is seeking a Senior Specialist in Financial Crime Operations to develop and execute strategies against financial crime risks. This role involves collaboration across teams to implement advanced detection systems and enhance operational efficiency. Candidates should possess significant experience in financial crime within financial services, particularly retail investments. The company offers a hybrid working model that supports flexibility and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Financial Crime within financial services, preferably in retail investments.
• Strong understanding of regulations related to retail investing.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the financial crime strategy for retail investments.
• Lead risk assessments to identify emerging threats.
• Oversee investigations into suspicious activity.

Skills

Financial Crime expertise

Understanding regulations related to retail investing

Communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Strategic thinking

Job description

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As a Senior Specialist in Financial Crime Operations, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the financial crime risk agenda across our retail investment business. This role combines strategic thinking, operational excellence, and technological innovation to proactively detect, prevent, and respond to financial crime threats, including fraud, money laundering, and market abuse.
You will work cross-functionally with compliance, technology, data science, and product teams to design and implement robust controls, enhance detection capabilities, and drive continuous improvement in financial crime operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Governance:

• Develop and execute the financial crime strategy for retail investments in alignment with regulatory expectations and business objectives.
• Lead horizon scanning and risk assessments to identify emerging threats and recommend strategic responses.
• Support the development of financial crime policies, standards, and frameworks tailored to retail investment products and services.

Data & Technology Enablement:

• Partner with technology teams to design and implement advanced detection systems, including transaction monitoring, fraud analytics, and case management tools.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies to enhance financial crime prevention capabilities.
• Act as a subject matter expert in system tuning, model validation, and data quality assurance.

Risk Management:

• Oversee complex investigations into suspicious activity, coordinating with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Drive operational efficiency through process automation, workflow optimization, and performance metrics.
• Ensure adherence to UK and international financial crime regulations (e.g., FCA, JMLSG, FATF), while working closely with strategy and CX teams to embed proportionate, risk-based controls that enable innovation and customer growth.
• Provide expert guidance and training to junior analysts and operational teams.

Key skills / experience

• Significant experience working within Financial Crime within financial services, preferable in retail investments
• Strong understanding of applicable regulations and law, related to retail investing
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective collaborator with ability to establish credibility quickly
• Delivery focused with a hands-on approach
• Strategic and proactive thinker with ability to see the big picture

Special Factors

• Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.