Financial Crime & Risk Lead

Zeller; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A fintech company in the UK seeks a Financial Crime & Risk Lead to build and implement risk and fraud frameworks. The role involves leading a team of analysts, ensuring compliance with regulations, and designing strategies to mitigate financial crime. Candidates should have 7+ years of experience in risk management within financial services. This position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for growth in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

Equity in the company

Supportive work environment

Learning and development opportunities

Excellent parental leave

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in risk management, with at least 3 years leading a team.
• Strong knowledge of fraud typologies and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in fast-paced team environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement risk management strategies for fraud detection.
• Lead a team of financial crime analysts for transaction monitoring.
• Comply with regulatory reporting obligations.

Skills

Risk management

Fraud typologies knowledge

Analytical skills (SQL, Python, R)

Problem-solving

Education

7+ years in risk management

Job description

We believe that businesses of all sizes deserve better financial and payment products and services. Traditionally, businesses of all sizes are let down by slow applications, protracted onboarding, opaque pricing, restrictive contracts and forced to use outdated solutions that no longer meet the innovative requirements of modern business.

We started our journey four years ago, and have since helped tens of thousands of Australian businesses reduce the complexity and time taken to take and make payments, manage complex fleets of payment hardware, store and save money and lead the conversation in business‑to‑business fintech. We’re now taking our next steps in expanding our industry and world leading capabilities into the United Kingdom.

Our company is backed by leading global VCs, and brings together experienced payment and tech industry professionals who are aiming to redefine business banking and the way businesses get paid by their customers.

If you are passionate, curious, hungry and seeking an opportunity to make your mark on Fintech in the United Kingdom, with the strength of a global team behind you – we’d love to talk to you. This is a unique opportunity to shape, direct and build better financial services for all UK businesses.

Role Description

As our Financial Crime & Risk Lead, you'll be at the forefront of building a robust risk and fraud framework for a fast‑growing fintech. This is a unique opportunity to shape our strategy from the ground up, protecting the company and our customers from financial crime while ensuring we’re fully compliant with all regulations. We are looking for a data‑driven individual who can roll up their sleeves when required, can build and manage a team from the ground up, and is happy to contribute to broader risk work as well.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you'll gain exposure to every facet of risk. If you’re passionate about building something from scratch and love to grow, you’ll have the freedom and resources to do incredible things with us. No two days will be the same!

Responsibilities

• Financial Crime Operations (Primary Responsibility)
• Design, implement, operate and improve risk management strategies to identify emerging fraud vectors and typologies.
• Build and lead a team of financial crime analysts that will execute transaction monitoring and analysis, and review of high‑risk merchants.
• Effectively manage resourcing to meet demand and identify improvement opportunities and efficiencies, including overseeing services rendered from Group entities
• Monitor fraud and blacklist alerts, investigate possible matches and minimise losses by taking appropriate action when “hits” are identified.
• Monitor rules performance (fine‑tuning rules) to ensure quality alerts are generated and eliminate false positives.
• Handle operational escalations and determine whether the firm is at material risk in its positions with its customers.
• Lead material investigations and analysis across our cardholder, account holder, merchant and employee base.
• Complete fraud retrospectives to document confirmed fraud incidents and take appropriate actions.
• Comply with regulatory reporting obligations related to fraud, including the submission of a bi‑annual report to the FCA on collection of statistical data on fraud.
• Report fraud incidents, trends and mitigation strategies to the Board of Directors.
• Oversee subject matter projects and provide training, guidance, and mentorship to the broader team.
• Act as the key liaison with the FCA and other regulatory bodies on risk‑related matters.

• Risk Strategy and Framework (Secondary Responsibility)
• Maintain the company’s Risk Appetite Statement and ensure alignment with the business strategy.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive risk management framework in line with FCA regulations and business objectives.
• Identify and assess key risks, including operational, financial, compliance, and reputational risks, and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and stress testing to evaluate the institution’s risk exposure.
• Prepare and present risk reports to the senior management team and the board of directors, highlighting key risks and mitigation strategies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience (7+ years) in risk management within an Electronic Money Institution, Payment Services Provider, or Financial Services environment, including at least 3 years of leading a team.
• Proven knowledge of fraud typologies, and designing and implementing fraud rules.
• Experience in card issuing, card acquiring and / or current account banking is advantageous.
• Strong proficiency in analytical languages such as SQL, Python and R is desired.
• Ability to perform well in a fast‑paced team‑based environment.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and risk management frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.

Benefits

• An opportunity to shape and build the future of Zeller from the ground up in the UK.
• A competitive salary package, including equity from an early stage.
• A balanced, progressive, and supportive work environment.
• Endless learning and development opportunities.
• Excellent parental leave and other leave entitlements.
• Being part of a fast‑growing and ambitious scale‑up.

At Zeller, we celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, and strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply to join our team.

We want you to be able to show up at your best during the recruitment process. Please, let us know if you require any accommodations during your interview process with us.