Financial Crime Risk Management Central CDD Team Manager, Assistant Director, CBS, Belfast

About EY-Parthenon; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major consulting firm in Belfast seeks a Financial Crime Risk Management Central CDD Team Manager. This role requires leadership in AML/KYC due diligence, managing a high-performing team while delivering quality outcomes. The ideal candidate has over 5 years in AML/CDF within regulated environments and is skilled at operationalizing complex regulatory requirements. A competitive rewards package and flexible working arrangements are offered.

Benefits

Competitive total-rewards package

Flexible/hybrid working

Extensive learning opportunities

Qualifications

• 5 years experience in AML/KYC/CDD within a regulated environment.
• Deep understanding of AML/CTF regulations and industry guidance.
• Proven experience handling all risk ratings and diligence levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale a Belfast-based Central CDD team delivering risk-based due diligence.
• Translate evolving AML/CTF and sanctions requirements into clear procedures.
• Produce and interpret MI/KRIs; use data to identify trends and inform decisions.

Skills

People leadership

Technical depth in AML/CTF

Judgement in decision-making

Operational excellence

Communication & influence

Education

5+ years in AML/KYC/CDD

Desirable certifications: ICA-ACAMS or equivalent

Job description

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Financial Crime Risk Management Central CDD Team Manager (Level 3)

Location

Belfast (Hybrid)

Function

Risk Management

Contract

Permanent

Grade

Manager (L3)

About the role

We’re seeking a proven Financial Crime Team Manager to lead a high‑performing Central CDD sub‑team in Belfast across end‑to‑end KYC (onboarding periodic and event‑driven review). You’ll combine deep AML / KYC / CDD technical expertise with outstanding people leadership shaping our controls uplifting capability and delivering high‑quality outcomes at pace.

The opportunity

• Lead and scale a Belfast‑based Central CDD team delivering risk‑based due diligence across complex client portfolios.
• Be the day‑to‑day operational owner for quality productivity SLAs and escalations with direct exposure to senior business stakeholders.
• Translate evolving AML / CTF and sanctions requirements into clear procedures playbooks and training.
• Drive continuous improvement optimising processes, policy and systems to enhance control effectiveness and colleague experience.

Key responsibilities

Leadership & operations

• Lead coach and develop Analysts / Senior Analysts; set goals run regular 1 : 1s and build a culture of accountability inclusion and learning.
• Own workflow case allocation and capacity planning to meet SLAs while maintaining consistently high quality (QA / QC).
• Produce and interpret MI / KRIs; use data to identify trends remediate issues and inform decisions.

Subject matter expertise & decisioning

• Act as the first‑line CDD / EDD SME providing pragmatic risk‑based guidance on complex cases and approving escalations in line with delegation and policy.
• Operationalise regulation : interpret AML / CTF sanctions and industry guidance and convert into controls procedures and training materials for large‑scale operations.
• Oversee E2E KYC across simplified standard and enhanced due diligence ensuring appropriate risk‑rating corroboration and recordkeeping.

Complex risk coverage

• Lead due diligence on complex entity types (e.g. SPVs, Trusts, Foundations, Collective Investment Schemes / Funds) including purpose control / UBO mapping and jurisdictional risk.
• Set clear standards for PEP identification and classification and ensure appropriate approval monitoring and refresh cycles.
• Provide expert oversight of sanctions & embargo compliance and related screening outcomes (sanctions PEP adverse media) including dispositioning and false‑positive reduction strategies.

Stakeholder management & governance

• Build strong partnerships with Service Lines 2nd Line Financial Crime Sanctions / MLRO teams and other control functions; manage issues to resolution.
• Maintain audit‑ready documentation; support internal / external reviews and thematic deep‑dives.
• Contribute to policy reviews and change forums; champion operational readiness and colleague upskilling for new / updated requirements.

Continuous improvement

• Identify and embed process efficiencies automation opportunities and control enhancements to improve effectiveness and colleague experience.

Skills & attributes for success

• People leadership : proven ability to inspire develop and performance‑manage teams; creates psychological safety and high standards.
• Technical depth : authoritative knowledge of AML / CTF norms and how to apply them pragmatically in a large matrixed organisation.
• Judgement : confident risk‑based decision‑making with clear well‑reasoned rationales on complex time‑sensitive cases.
• Operational excellence : strong control mindset MI literacy continuous improvement orientation and change delivery experience.
• Communication & influence : clear written / oral communication tailored to senior stakeholders; able to challenge constructively and secure buy‑in.

To qualify for the role you’ll have

• 5 years experience in AML / KYC / CDD within a regulated environment including end‑to‑end KYC (onboarding periodic EDD); 2 years people leadership preferred.
• Deep understanding of AML / CTF regulations and industry guidance; confident interpreting and operationalising requirements for large‑scale teams.
• Proven experience handling all risk ratings and diligence levels including high‑risk / EDD portfolios and approvals.
• Expertise across complex structures (SPVs, Trusts, Foundations, CIS / Funds) UBO mapping and jurisdictional risk assessment.
• Strong knowledge of PEP frameworks (identification classification approvals monitoring).
• Practical exposure to sanctions & embargo regimes and screening (sanctions / PEP / adverse media) with effective triage and escalation practices.
• Experience building / embedding financial crime processes and controls in a large matrixed business.
• Desirable certifications : ICA‑ACAMS or equivalent.

What we offer

• A competitive total‑rewards package flexible / hybrid working extensive learning (including professional qualifications access to employee networks and a supportive environment focused on growth and wellbeing).

Inclusion & flexibility

• We’re committed to an inclusive culture and welcome flexible working arrangements that enable excellent client service and a sustainable work‑life balance.

How to apply

If you meet the criteria and are excited to shape the future of Central CDD in Belfast apply now with your CV. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to discuss next steps.

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