Team Lead AML Operations UK

Raisin GmbH; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial institution in Manchester is looking for a skilled manager to lead their 1st Line Anti-Money Laundering Operations team. This role involves overseeing AML procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and fostering a team-oriented environment. The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of AML operations experience, a relevant degree, and strong leadership skills. Benefits include a generous development budget and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Employee Development Budget of £1,700

Access to Babbel for learning

Breakfast and snacks provided

Hybrid working environment

28 days + Bank Holidays of leave

Birthday leave and gift voucher

Company pension with 5% employer contribution

Annual retreats in European cities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years managing AML/financial crime operational teams in a FCA-regulated institution.
• Extensive experience with KYC and sanctions screening tools.
• Strong written communication skills and a structured risk assessment approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the AML operations team, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Oversee daily AML operations and ensure effective execution.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of KYC files and manage Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR).

Skills

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, business, law, or related discipline

Professional certification (e.g. CAMS, ICA Diploma)

Tools

Third-party KYC tools

Sanctions screening platforms

Transaction monitoring systems

Job description

Your growth is our growth. Our success is your success.

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About Raisin

About Raisin Bank

About Raisin US

About Raisin UK

Team

We are seeking an experienced and motivated professional to lead our 1st Line Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Operations team consisting of 9 team members. This is a critical role in ensuring the integrity of our financial crime prevention efforts and maintaining compliance with UK regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in AML operations, team leadership, and regulatory compliance within a UK FCA-regulated environment.

Tech Stack

Your Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a high-performing AML operations team, setting clear goals, providing constructive feedback, and supporting continuous professional development.
• Oversee daily AML operations including KYC (Know Your Customer), PEPS/ Sanctions/ Adverse Media screening, and transaction monitoring activities, ensuring timely and effective execution.
• Utilise third-party KYC, sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring platforms to support due diligence and ongoing monitoring processes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on UK financial crime legislation and regulatory obligations, including POCA, the Money Laundering Regulations, the Terrorism Act, and the JMLSG guidance.
• Develop, implement, and enhance financial crime procedures suited for a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Ensure the consistent application of customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) standards in line with regulatory requirements and industry best practices (e.g. JMLSG, FCA reviews).
• Manage and review the end-to-end process of Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR), including quality assurance and timely submissions to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of KYC files to ensure strict compliance with AML regulations and legal requirements.
• Identify, assess, and escalate financial crime risks appropriately, working proactively to propose and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with second line functions, legal, compliance, and technology teams to enhance operational effectiveness and risk management.
• Stay abreast of industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging financial crime trends, and disseminate relevant insights across the team and wider business.
• Promote a culture of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct across all areas of financial crime operations.

Your Profile

• Proven track record of managing AML/financial crime operational teams within a UK FCA-regulated financial institution (minimum 5 years).
• Bachelor's degree in finance, business, law, or a related discipline. A relevant professional certification (e.g. CAMS, ICA Diploma, or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Extensive hands-on experience with third-party tools for KYC, sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring.
• Strong analytical and written communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail and a structured approach to risk assessment and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet high standards under pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organisation.
• A proactive and forward-thinking mindset, committed to continuous improvement and excellence in AML operations.

Our Benefits

Benefits der Raisin Bank

Join our mission, join our team - and grow with us!

At Raisin, we care about each other and it is one of our top priorities to foster an open and caring environment in which everyone feels welcome and comfortable. Our culture is strongly driven by our ambitious team, who are at the heart of our success.
As part of the Raisin UK team, you benefit from:

• Employee Development Budget of £1,700 and 4 full training days per year.
• Access to Babbel for continuous learning.
• Always hungry? Breakfast, snacks, daily fresh fruit and drinks are at your disposal around the clock.
• We are hybrid working, we are in the office twice a week, giving the team the opportunity to collaborate and spend time together. Wednesday is our core day in the office.
• We offer 28 days + Bank Holidays of holiday a year.
• One day birthday leave and gift voucher to celebrate your birthday.
• We offer you a company stakeholder pension with a minimum employer contribution of 5%.
• The opportunity to experience our annual retreats in exciting European cities and other team building events.