Onboarding Risk & Strategy Lead (KYC/CDD)

Grant Thornton UK; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Balance of work and life

Job summary

Grant Thornton UK LLP is seeking an Onboarding Business Lead (KYC/CDD) to act as a trusted risk partner within the Onboarding Client Experience team. You will own complex onboarding engagements, ensuring regulatory compliance while enabling efficient client onboarding and a high-quality experience.

In this role you will engage with senior client representatives, advise Partners and Directors, and shape evidence strategy and decision-making in demanding, high-risk scenarios.

Qualifications

• Substantial hands-on experience of client onboarding, including KYC and CDD, with end-to-end ownership of complex cases.
• Strong working knowledge of UK financial crime obligations and practical application to onboarding decisions.
• Experience advising and challenging senior stakeholders who own the client relationship, with diplomacy and clarity.
• Confident verbal communicator, able to explain needs and requirements directly to senior client representatives.
• Proven ability to write and defend risk rationales and make timely decisions when information is imperfect.

Responsibilities

• Act as a concierge-style onboarding adviser for complex and high‑value engagements, owning cases end to end.
• Build early relationships with client-facing Partners and Directors to anticipate onboarding needs.
• Lead the client outreach process, speaking with senior client representatives by phone, video, and email.
• Provide guidance on evidence strategy, risk-based options, and conflicts, and translate themes into training and improved processes.

Skills

KYC/CDD expertise

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Onboarding leadership

Tools

Onboarding tools

CRM systems

Job description

Grant Thornton UK LLP is seeking an Onboarding Business Lead (KYC/CDD) to act as a trusted risk partner within the Onboarding Client Experience team. You will own complex onboarding engagements, ensuring regulatory compliance while enabling efficient client onboarding and a high-quality experience.

In this role you will engage with senior client representatives, advise Partners and Directors, and shape evidence strategy and decision-making in demanding, high-risk scenarios.