KYC CoE Lead: AML Operations & Risk

The Northern Trust Company; Limerick; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking a seasoned professional to lead KYC Operations delivery within the 1LOD across the enterprise. You will oversee the KYC CoE, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive high-quality outputs while managing risks and performance.

The role reports to senior AML/KYC Operations leadership and requires strong people management, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to embed robust controls across processes. Applicants must have right to work in Ireland.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of AML/KYC regulations, customer due diligence requirements, and operational KYC processes.
• Proven experience in a KYC Operations, AML Operations, or Financial Crime role within Financial Services.
• Demonstrated people management experience, including performance management and capability development.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a high volume environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to escalat

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day to day KYC operations within the KYC CoE, ensuring timely and accurate completion of CDD and EDD.
• Ensure operational execution aligns with AML/KYC policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and enterprise standards.
• Manage workflow allocation, capacity planning, and prioritisation to meet service level agreements (SLAs) and regulatory timelines.
• Act as a point of escalation for complex KYC cases, operational issues, and delivery risks.
• Embed strong 1LOD controls across KYC operational processes to ensure consistent, high quality outputs.
• Identify, assess, and manage operational AML/KYC risks, ensuring issues are logged, tracked, and remediated in line with Northern Trust's risk appetite.
• Own and deliver remediation actions arising from quality assurance reviews, audits, regulatory exams, and 2LOD challenges.
• Drive root cause analysis for recurring issues and implement sustainable process improvements.
• Partner closely with the KYC CoE Governance, Quality Assurance, Training, and 2LOD teams to ensure alignment.
• Provide operational updates, MI, and insights to senior management, highlighting risks, capacity constraints, and emerging themes.
• Participate in relevant AML/KYC forums and working groups, representing KYC Operations and ensuring clear communication of operational risks and dependencies.
• Support the implementation of process enhancements, technology changes, and strategic initiatives impacting KYC Operations (e.g. tooling, workflow optimisation, regulatory change).
• Promote standardisation and best practices across the KYC CoE to drive efficiency and consistency.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Recruit, develop, and lead a team of KYC Operations professionals.
• Set clear performance expectations, provide coaching, and support capability development.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high performance culture aligned to Northern Trust values.

Skills

AML/KYC knowledge

Regulatory compliance

People management

Stakeholder management

Operational KYC processes

Risk management

Education

College or university degree

Job description

Northern Trust is seeking a seasoned professional to lead KYC Operations delivery within the 1LOD across the enterprise. You will oversee the KYC CoE, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive high-quality outputs while managing risks and performance.

The role reports to senior AML/KYC Operations leadership and requires strong people management, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to embed robust controls across processes. Applicants must have right to work in Ireland.