Head of Financial Crime - Risk Services

Shawbrook Bank; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services company in London is looking for a Head of Financial Crime to lead initiatives across the organization. This role requires strong leadership, extensive knowledge of financial regulations, and a data-driven approach. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in financial crime risk management and will contribute to a dynamic, innovative culture focused on efficiency and customer experience.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, motivation, and strategic thinking skills.
• Understanding of financial regulations and legislation.
• Experience in financial crime and operational oversight.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain financial crime framework across business units.
• Develop and execute group-wide policies.
• Investigate and report suspicious activities.

Skills

Leadership skills

Data-driven

Radical thinking

Curiosity about tech and AI

Education

Professional Qualification

Job description

The Head of Financial Crime leads all 1st line Financial Crime activities across Shawbrook Group, as part of our Risk Services team.

This role is critical for the success of Financial Crime Risk Services, requiring a candidate with a proven track record of delivering results, strong leadership qualities, and an entrepreneurial mindset to drive change and challenge the status quo. The role involves delivering and aligning with Shawbrook Group objectives.

To be successful, the candidate must possess the following attributes:

• Subject matter expertise: as the key 1st line contact, providing senior-level updates across the bank's products.
• Leadership skills: uniting various teams into one, improving efficiencies and future ways of working.
• Data-driven: providing accurate, consistent reporting to ensure Risk Services deliver as expected, defining relevant metrics, and enabling automation.
• Radical thinking: working with stakeholders to challenge and improve existing requirements.
• Curiosity about tech and AI: identifying use cases and working with stakeholders to implement technological changes.

Key Responsibilities include:

Financial Crime Framework

• Framework Alignment: designing and maintaining alignment of the financial crime framework across all business units.
• Policy Implementation: developing and executing group-wide policies and procedures.
• Risk Management: operating within risk appetite metrics and taking corrective actions as needed.
• Oversight and Assurance: supporting oversight, assurance, and audit responses, ensuring timely actions.
• Regulatory Compliance: ensuring activities comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Leadership

• Lead: all 1LOD financial crime activities, including onboarding, reviews, transaction monitoring, investigations, and advisory functions.

Investigations and Intelligence

• Suspicious Activity Management: investigating and reporting suspicious activities, including filing SARs with NCA.
• Escalations: managing high-risk reviews and escalating outside risk appetite.
• Fraud Prevention: strategizing to prevent fraud.

Operational Effectiveness

• Optimize: leveraging technology like Generative AI for automation and efficiency.
• Systems: ensuring consistent system use across Risk Services.
• Data Quality: promoting high data standards.
• Change Management: supporting bank-wide change initiatives.

MI and Reporting

• Analytics and Reporting: producing MI and reports on financial crime activities.
• KPI and KRI Establishment: working with risk directors to set effective indicators.

Training and Awareness

• Financial Crime Culture: promoting awareness through communication and training.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Committee Representation: representing Risk Services at oversight and risk committees.

The Person:

Business Skills & Competencies

• Leadership: strong communication, motivation, strategic thinking, and talent development skills.
• Regulatory Knowledge: understanding of JMLSG, FCA Handbook, and legislation like AML, POCA, and Bribery Act.
• Due Diligence Experience: conducting comprehensive non-personal due diligence.
• Sector knowledge: broad understanding of financial services regulation, with depth in SME and Retail sectors.
• Senior experience in Financial Crime: extensive leadership and operational oversight in a commercial environment.
• Professional Qualification: ideally holding relevant qualifications and strong experience in financial services and regulation.

The Opportunity

Shawbrook offers tailored financial products across SME, Real Estate, and Personal markets, combining human expertise with digital technology for efficiency and customer experience. We foster an innovative, agile culture that values diversity, societal impact, and professional growth. Join us if you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy solving complex problems, and want to contribute to a purpose-led organization.