Head of Financial Crime & Innovation

Adria Solutions; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A digital banking platform in Manchester is seeking a Head of Financial Crime & Innovation to redefine financial crime prevention through data, automation, and AI. This role involves leading the Financial Crime function, collaborating with technology teams, and delivering strategic insights. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership experience in financial crime, expertise in AML and CTF, and the ability to foster cross-functional collaboration. This position offers a hybrid working environment and generous 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.
• High technical fluency; confident working with engineers and data scientists.

Responsibilities

• Lead the 1st Line Financial Crime function.
• Translate regulation and risk into customer-focused controls.
• Integrate machine learning and automation into investigations.
• Deliver strategic insights to executive forums.
• Drive control ownership and assurance across all lines.

Skills

Leadership in financial crime

AML and CTF expertise

Technical fluency

Cross-functional collaboration

Transformation experience

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