Head of Financial Crime & Innovation

Adria Solutions Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth digital banking platform in Manchester is seeking a Head of Financial Crime & Innovation to build a tech-enabled financial crime framework. You will lead a team to embed scalable, automated controls while working closely with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in financial crime within regulated environments and can drive transformation. This role offers hybrid working and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Birthday leave

Well-being days

Access to cutting-edge tools

Qualifications

• Strong leadership experience in financial crime within regulated environments.
• Deep subject matter expertise in AML, CTF, sanctions, and fraud.
• Confident working with engineers, data scientists, and product owners.
• Experience delivering transformation or operating model change.
• Ability to influence at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead the 1st Line Financial Crime function with a vision for scalable prevention.
• Translate regulation and risk into automated controls.
• Partner with AI and technology teams for integration.
• Deliver strategic insights to executive forums.
• Drive control ownership across all lines of defence.

Skills

Leadership experience in financial crime

Expertise in AML, CTF, sanctions, and fraud

Technical fluency with engineering and data teams

Experience with operational change in compliance

Influencing skills at senior levels

Job description

Head of Financial Crime & Innovation
Redefine how financial crime is prevented - through data, automation, and AI.

A high-growth digital banking platform undergoing a multi-million-pound technology transformation is seeking a Head of Financial Crime & Innovation. This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a next-generation, tech-enabled financial crime framework at the forefront of FinTech innovation.

You ll work closely with the senior leadership team, and cross-functional teams-including AI, engineering, and product-to embed scalable controls that strengthen trust, meet regulatory standards, and enhance customer experience.
What You ll Do:

• Lead the 1st Line Financial Crime function with a vision for smart, scalable prevention and detection.
• Translate regulation and risk into efficient, automated, and customer-focused controls.
• Partner with AI and technology teams to integrate machine learning, data analytics, and automation into onboarding, monitoring, and investigations.
• Deliver clear, strategic insights to executive and board-level forums.
• Drive consistent control ownership and assurance across all lines of defence.
• Champion continuous improvement across KYC, transaction monitoring, fraud, and investigations.

What You Bring:

• Strong leadership experience in financial crime within regulated environments digital banking, payments, lending, insurance, or gaming.
• Deep subject matter expertise in AML, CTF, sanctions, and fraud.
• High technical fluency; confident working with engineers, data scientists, and product owners.
• Experience delivering transformation or operating model change in risk or compliance.
• Gravitas to influence at senior levels and collaborate cross-functionally.

What s On Offer:

• Hybrid working
• Generous holiday allowance, birthday leave, and well-being days
• Access to cutting-edge tools and a passionate, mission-driven team

If you're ready to shape the future of financial crime prevention driving innovation while protecting customers at scale apply now to take the next step in your leadership journey.
Head of Financial Crime & Innovation