Head of Fraud Strategy and Operations

Checkout.com; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FinTech company in the UK seeks a Head of Consumer Risk to manage its consumer-facing risk management function. This role involves designing a comprehensive fraud prevention framework and leading a high-performing team. The ideal candidate should possess extensive experience in fraud prevention, strong analytical skills, a good understanding of UK regulations, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders. The role offers opportunities for leadership and innovation in the fintech space.

Qualifications

• Typically 7-10+ years of experience in a strategic fraud prevention or consumer risk role.
• Proven experience in leading and managing fraud teams.
• Strong analytical skills for data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills to convey risks effectively.
• In-depth knowledge of UK financial crime regulations.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage the consumer risk management framework.
• Lead and develop a team of fraud risk operators.
• Draft and maintain fraud policies and operational procedures.
• Partner with Product and Analytics teams for technology improvements.
• Develop and monitor Key Risk Indicators and team metrics.

Skills

Strategic fraud prevention

Operational risk management

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Digital fraud expertise

Tools

Fraud prevention systems

Identity verification solutions

Job description

critical, high-impact role blending strategic policy definition with operational leadership. You will be responsible for protecting Checkout.com from consumer fraud while ensuring a seamless user experience. You will build and lead and scale a high-performing team of fraud and risk operators, setting the strategy and owning the policy framework that allows us to grow safely. If you are an experienced risk leader who thrives on building, scaling, and leading, this role is for you.

What You'll Do

• Own the Strategy: Design, implement, and own the end-to-end consumer risk management framework, covering everything from application fraud and account misuse to payment scams.
• Lead the Team: Build and eventually directly manage, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of consumer risk and fraud operators. Foster a culture of excellence and be responsible for the team’s operational performance.
• Write the Rulebook: Draft, own, and maintain relevant consumer risk and fraud policies and operational procedures. Ensure they are effective, efficient, and fully compliant with relevant regulations.
• Optimise Our Defences: Partner with our Product and Analytics teams, providing ongoing thought leadership towards the development and improvement of our consumer fraud technology stack.
• Be the Expert: Serve as the company’s primary subject‑matter expert on consumer risk matters, providing clear guidance to key internal stakeholders.
• Drive Insights with Data: Develop and monitor Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and team performance metrics. Use data to measure the effectiveness of controls, identify emerging threats, and deliver actionable insights back to the business.

What We're Looking For

• Typically 7‑10+ years of progressive experience in a strategic fraud prevention or consumer risk role, ideally within a FinTech, bank, or payment environment. Experience in a digital wallet environment will be a plus.
• Proven experience in leading, mentoring, and managing operational risk or fraud teams.
• Deep subject‑matter expertise in digital fraud typologies, particularly application fraud (synthetic identity, identity theft), money muling, account takeover (ATO), and payment scams.
• Hands‑on experience with modern fraud prevention systems and tools (e.g., identity verification solutions, transaction monitoring platforms, behavioural biometrics).
• A proven “builder” and “leader” with experience developing and implementing risk strategies, policies, and processes from an early stage and scaling them effectively.
• Strong analytical skills with the proven ability to use data to inform strategy, measure performance, and drive decisions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex risks to a non‑expert audience.
• A comprehensive understanding of the UK financial crime and payments regulatory landscape.

Bring all of you to work

We create the conditions for high performers to thrive – through real ownership, fewer blockers, and work that makes a difference from day one. Here, you’ll move fast, take on meaningful challenges, and be recognized for the impact you deliver. It’s a place where ambition gets met with opportunity – and where your growth is in your hands. We work as one team, and we back each other to succeed. So whatever your background or identity, if you’re ready to grow and make a difference, you’ll be right at home here. It’s important we set you up for success and make our process as accessible as possible. Let us know in your application, or tell your recruiter directly, if you need anything to make your experience or working environment more comfortable.

Life at Checkout.com

We understand that work is just one part of your life. Our hybrid working model offers flexibility, with three days per week in the office to support collaboration and connection. Curious about what it’s like to be part of our team? Visit our Careers Page to learn more about our culture, open roles, and what drives us. For a closer look at daily life at Checkout.com, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Company Description

We’re Checkout.com – you might not know our name, but companies like eBay, ASOS, Klarna, Uber Eats, and Sony do. That moment when you check out online? We make it happen. Checkout.com is where the world checks out. Our global network powers billions of transactions every year, making money move without making a fuss. We spent years perfecting a service most people will never notice. Because when digital payments just work, businesses grow, customers stay, and no one stops to think about why. With 19 offices spanning six continents, we feel at home everywhere – but London is our HQ. Wherever our people work their magic, they’re fast‑moving, performance‑obsessed, and driven by being better every day. Ideal. Because a role here isn’t just another job; it’s a career‑defining opportunity to build the future of fintech.

Job Description

As the Head of Consumer Risk at Checkout.com, you will take ownership of our consumer‑facing risk management function.