Head of Financial Crime

Robert Walters; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious financial services firm is seeking an experienced Head of Financial Crime to set the strategic direction for its global risk management program. This role requires significant leadership in compliance, with responsibilities including overseeing AML/CTF/sanctions efforts and representing the firm externally. The successful candidate will bring extensive experience in regulatory frameworks and proven stakeholder management skills, contributing to a culture of high performance.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in senior leadership roles focused on financial crime compliance.
• Proven ability to serve as MLRO/MLCO or equivalent position.
• In-depth understanding of FCA/HMRC regulations.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for financial crime risk management.
• Collaborate with senior leaders on regulatory changes.
• Develop frameworks for managing financial crime risks.

Skills

Leadership in financial crime compliance

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Regulatory knowledge

AML/CFT knowledge

Education

Degree in AML or Financial Crime

Relevant AML certifications

Job description

Overview

A prestigious financial services firm, with a longstanding relationship with Robert Walters, is seeking a highly experienced and commercially minded senior leader to take on the pivotal role of Head of Financial Crime. This position offers you the opportunity to set the strategic direction for a global financial crime risk management programme, ensuring compliance with UK and international regulations while supporting sustainable business growth.

What you'll do

As Head of Financial Crime, you will be entrusted with setting the vision for financial crime prevention across all areas of the organisation. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve collaborating closely with senior leaders to advise on regulatory changes and emerging risks while representing the firm externally at influential forums. You will oversee global compliance efforts spanning AML/CTF/sanctions/fraud/anti-bribery/tax evasion legislation—ensuring that every aspect of client onboarding and ongoing monitoring meets rigorous standards. By leading internal investigations and maintaining vital relationships with enforcement agencies like the NCA, you will play a crucial role in safeguarding organisational integrity. You will also develop robust frameworks for managing financial crime risk while partnering with operational teams to embed preventative measures seamlessly into everyday processes. Through regular risk assessments and thematic reviews, you will drive continuous improvement in how financial crime is managed throughout the business.

• Define and execute the organisation's financial crime strategy across all service lines, ensuring alignment with business objectives and risk appetite.
• Advise the Board, Senior Leadership Team, and Partners on regulatory developments, emerging risks, and industry best practices related to financial crime.
• Represent the organisation at senior external forums including regulatory meetings and industry engagements to maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Oversee global compliance with financial crime risks such as anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), sanctions, fraud prevention, anti-bribery/corruption legislation, and tax evasion.
• Serve as Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO) for UK entities, ensuring robust reporting and compliance standards are met.
• Ensure effective client onboarding processes and ongoing monitoring through proportionate risk-based due diligence procedures.
• Lead internal investigations into suspicious activities, oversee reporting to enforcement agencies such as the National Crime Agency (NCA), and maintain critical relationships with these bodies.
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive frameworks including policies, procedures, and controls to manage financial crime risk effectively across the business.
• Partner with business units to integrate financial crime prevention measures into daily operations without causing unnecessary disruption to commercial activity.
• Drive periodic business-wide risk assessments and thematic reviews to ensure continuous improvement in risk management.

What you bring

To excel as Head of Financial Crime within this respected financial services firm, your extensive experience in senior leadership roles focused on compliance will be invaluable. Your proven ability to serve as MLRO/MLCO or similar positions equips you with deep insight into complex regulatory landscapes across multiple jurisdictions. You bring comprehensive knowledge of UK/EU/global frameworks governing anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing/sanctions/bribery/fraud/tax evasion/market abuse—enabling you to guide both policy development and operational execution confidently.

Your familiarity with FCA/HMRC requirements ensures that every process meets stringent standards while your understanding of SM&CR governance supports effective oversight at partner level. Commercial acumen empowers you to design controls that protect against risk without hindering business growth; meanwhile your outstanding communication skills allow you to influence decision-makers internally and externally alike. By fostering high-performing teams through inclusive leadership practices— and leveraging relevant certifications—you contribute not only technical expertise but also interpersonal warmth that strengthens organisational culture.

• Significant senior leadership experience in financial crime compliance within financial services or investment management environments is essential for success in this role.
• Proven track record serving as MLRO/MLCO or equivalent positions demonstrates your ability to manage complex regulatory requirements effectively.
• Comprehensive understanding of UK, EU, and global regulatory frameworks regarding financial crime compliance enables you to navigate evolving legislation confidently.
• Deep knowledge of UK AML/CTF/sanctions laws alongside FCA/HMRC requirements ensures you can address all aspects of anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, sanctions compliance, bribery/corruption prevention, fraud detection/prevention, tax evasion mitigation, and market abuse risks.
• Expertise in FCA/EU regulatory frameworks—including institutions and internal operating structures—positions you as a trusted advisor within the organisation.
• Experience with Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR), ideally including SMF17 responsibilities, highlights your familiarity with governance requirements at partner level.
• Strong commercial acumen allows you to design proportionate controls that balance regulatory obligations with business needs without impeding commercial activity.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills enable you to communicate persuasively at Board level as well as with regulators and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to create, lead, develop high-performing teams fosters a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing within your function.
• Relevant AML certifications such as ACAMS or ICA are highly desirable; a degree in AML or Financial Crime would be advantageous.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates