Chief Operating Officer jobs in United Kingdom

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, and individuals from more than 1,200 offices in 43 countries.

As a market leader, the talent and passion of our people is critical to our success. Together, we share a common set of values rooted in integrity, excellence, and strong team ethics. Morgan Stanley can provide a superior foundation for building a professional career – a place for people to learn, achieve and grow. A philosophy that balances personal lifestyles, perspectives and needs is an important part of our culture.

The ISG Financial Crimes Risk (“FCR”) Team is embedded within the Firm’s business line. It is responsible for identifying, assessing, and escalating potential money laundering and reputational risk issues associated with higher risk client types. The FCR Team is considered the First Line of Defense and supports the onboarding and Enhanced Due Diligence processes for Morgan Stanley. #LI-KF1

The Risk Management / Office of the COO Associate will play a key role in centralizing the First Line oversight of reviews and issue management involving the Second and Third Lines of Defense, as well as regulatory engagement. In addition, the role will support the development and implementation of the people & communication strategy for the FCR function. This position will be responsible for driving visibility and solutions across risk management and regulatory workflows, executing a comprehensive resourcing and communication strategy, and supporting team development initiatives. The ideal candidate will have experience in Financial Services or FinTech, with a background in Risk Management, Compliance, Controls, or Internal Audit. The candidate should have the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, maintain and report on inventories, streamline processes (e.g. automation), and collaborate with across teams to advance FCR team objectives.

• Own and maintain 2LOD, 3LOD, and Regulatory reviews inventories, including organizing announcement memos and final reports, tracking the status of ongoing reviews, and escalating within the Risk Management function as appropriate.
• Organize materials related to requests and responses, maintaining a tracker to ensure completeness and accessibility.
• Coordinate with regional FCR contacts to gather timely updates, monitor progress and support the escalation process.

• Maintain the Issue and Action Plan (“AP”) inventory, engaging with owners or Issues Management leads to confirm timely remediation and elevate when necessary.
• Support cross-functional read‑across initiatives by driving stakeholder engagement and ensuring sustained participation through completion.

• Prepare reporting for FCR management across 2LOD/3LOD reviews, Regulatory and Issues Management activities, including materials for the monthly Risk Management Working Group and the development of a newsletter with real‑time updates.
• Automate and visualize metrics, where possible, and maintain going forward.

• Manage a comprehensive headcount plan and budget to support organizational objectives.
• Create clear and concise materials to communicate resourcing updates to senior leadership.

• Assist in the development and implementation of FCR’s people strategy, including creating a comprehensive talent framework and leading strategic initiatives to foster collaboration and a cohesive team environment.

• Support with the development of FCR’s communication strategy to ensure effective interaction within the FCR team and with other teams (e.g., Global Financial Crimes, Business Control Units). Assist with the development of materials to showcase FCR’s strategy and impact.

• Analyze and synthesize data on risk metrics, control performance, and program execution. Prepare detailed reports and dashboards for senior management, providing insights and recommendations to enhance governance and reduce risk exposure.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field. Advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CAMS, CFE) preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in Financial Services or FinTech, with a background in Risk Management, Compliance, Controls, or Internal Audit.
• In-depth understanding of financial crimes regulations, including AML, KYC, and sanctions, as well as risk management frameworks.
• Proven ability to analyze complex data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint; strong skills in creating clear and impactful presentations.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel for data analysis and reporting; experience with data visualization tools is a plus.
• Experience working in a cross‑functional environment, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Collaborative and proactive mindset, with a commitment to continuous improvement and driving operational excellence.

We are committed to maintaining the first‑class service and high standard of excellence that have defined Morgan Stanley for over 89 years. Our values – putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back – aren’t just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what’s best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work‑life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry. There’s also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work.

To learn more about our offices across the globe, please copy and paste https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/global-offices into your browser.

If this role is deemed a Certified role and may require the role holder to hold mandatory regulatory qualifications or the minimum qualifications to meet internal company benchmarks.

Interested in flexible working opportunities? Morgan Stanley empowers employees to have greater freedom of choice through flexible working arrangements. Speak to our recruitment team to find out more.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunities employer. We work to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals can maximize their full potential. Our skilled and creative workforce is comprised of individuals drawn from a broad cross section of the global communities in which we operate and who reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences. Our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion is evident through our constant focus on recruiting, developing, and advancing individuals based on their skills and talents.