Financial Crime Team Leader (Hybrid)

Zopa Bank Limited; Wythenshawe; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A modern financial institution in Manchester is seeking a Financial Crime Team Leader to guide a team of analysts in preventing financial crime. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in regulatory compliance, team leadership, and analytical skills. This hybrid role allows for flexible working with occasional remote days. The organization promotes diversity and values a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Remote work allowances

Promoting diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of AML, KYC, and sanctions screening requirements.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent analytical, investigative, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of financial crime analysts and investigators.
• Ensure team achieves key performance indicators.
• Oversee investigation of suspicious activity reports.
• Monitor daily transactions for potential money laundering indicators.

Skills

Regulatory frameworks understanding

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in transaction monitoring tools

Data analytics experience

Cross-border investigations knowledge

Emerging risks knowledge

Tools

Transaction monitoring systems

Data analytics tools

Case management platforms

Job description

Overview

As a Financial Crime Team Leader, you will play a vital role in leading a dedicated team of financial crime analysts and investigators. You will ensure our organization's compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and implement effective financial crime prevention measures. In this position, you will oversee day-to-day operations and manage complex cases, providing strategic guidance to enhance our risk mitigation efforts. Your leadership will be crucial in fostering a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential financial crime threats. This role requires a dynamic leader with both technical expertise and the ability to drive a high-performing team. You will be at the forefront of safeguarding the organisation against financial crime, ensuring compliance, and implementing innovative solutions to combat evolving threats.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Lead and manage a team of financial crime analysts and investigators, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback.
• KPI Management: Ensure the team achieves key performance indicators (KPIs) for financial crime prevention, detection, and reporting.
• Collaborative Environment: Foster a culture of collaboration, encouraging the sharing of best practices and knowledge within the team.
• SAR Oversight: Oversee the investigation of suspicious activity reports (SARs) and ensure timely submissions to regulatory authorities.
• Transaction Monitoring: Monitor daily transactions to identify red flags related to money laundering, fraud, and terrorism financing.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to facilitate seamless communication and case resolution.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all financial crime activities comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Regulation Updates: Stay informed about changes in financial crime regulations and adjust policies and procedures as needed.
• Risk Assessment: Proactively identify and assess financial crime risks, developing strategies for effective mitigation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including regulators, law enforcement agencies, and industry peers.
• Training and Awareness: Advocate for financial crime awareness throughout the organisation by conducting training sessions for non-specialised teams.
• Continuous Improvement: Review and enhance processes and systems for monitoring, detection, and investigation of financial crime.

Qualifications & Skills

• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, including AML, KYC, and sanctions screening requirements, with a particular focus on transaction monitoring and mule activity.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent analytical, investigative, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency in relevant tools and technologies, such as transaction monitoring systems, data analytics tools, and case management platforms.
• Experience using advanced data analytics or machine learning for financial crime detection.
• Familiarity with international regulatory environments and cross-border financial crime investigations.
• Strong knowledge of emerging risks in the fintech, cryptocurrency, or digital payments space.

Location: Manchester

About the Employer

Operations - Financial Crime / Employee - Permanent / Hybrid. This is Zopa, a company with a history dating back to 2005, evolving from a peer-to-peer lending platform to a modern bank. We value flexible ways of working, face-to-face collaboration, and a healthy work-life balance. This hybrid role requires you to come to our Manchester office 2-3 days a week. You’ll also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year. If you do work remotely, we will ensure you have the resources needed to thrive from day one.

Diversity, equity & inclusion: Zopa is proud to offer a workplace free from discrimination. We value diverse experiences and backgrounds and strive to create a culture where everyone can bring their full self to work. We encourage reasonable adjustments during the hiring process and in your role with us.

This is a hybrid role, with the team in the office three days a week. Your working week will be 7.5 hours per day, with shifts between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday. You will also be required to work one weekend day every other week, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, which will be worked remotely. If you work a weekend day, you will receive a day off in lieu during the following week. In addition, you will be required to work on two bank holidays per year, for which you will receive time off in lieu.