KYC Periodic Review Team Lead

Northern Trust; Ireland; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust seeks a skilled professional to lead KYC Operations delivery across the 1LOD framework. You will oversee the KYC CoE with focus on CDD and EDD, ensuring high-quality outputs, regulatory compliance, and strong operational discipline.

The role reports to senior AML/KYC leadership and drives continuous improvement and risk mitigation. You will coordinate with Governance, QA, Training, and 2LOD teams, providing MI and updates to senior management, and you will recruit and develop a

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of AML/KYC regulations and CDD/EDD requirements.
• Proven people management experience with performance and capability development.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management to influence across levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day KYC operations within the KYC CoE ensuring timely and accurate CDD/EDD outputs.
• Ensure operations align with AML/KYC policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage workflow allocation, capacity planning and SLAs to meet regulatory timelines.
• Escalate complex cases and delivery risks; own remediation actions from audits and regulatory exams.
• Drive root cause analysis and implement sustainable process improvements; partner with governance, QA, and 2LOD teams.

Skills

AML/KYC regulations

People management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Northern Trust is seeking a highly skilled and motivated professional to lead KYC Operations delivery within the First Line of Defence (1LOD) across the enterprise. This role sits within the AML/KYC organisation and is responsible for the effective execution of KYC activities across the KYC Centre of Excellence (CoE), ensuring high quality outcomes, regulatory compliance, and strong operational discipline.

The role reports into senior AML/KYC Operations leadership and plays a key role in ensuring KYC processes are executed efficiently, risks are identified and managed, and operational performance meets enterprise and regulatory expectations.

Role Overview

The KYC Periodic Reviews Team Lead is accountable for the end-to-end operational delivery of KYC activities within the KYC CoE. This includes oversight of Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD).

The role ensures KYC outputs are timely, accurate, and compliant, while embedding strong first line controls, effective issue management, and continuous improvement across KYC operations.

Key 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.

Ideal Candidate

• 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 elevate and influence effectively.
• Strong risk management mindset with the ability to manage complex issues.
• College or university degree and/or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Work Authorization

Applicants must have the right to work in Ireland at the time of application and for the duration of employment.

Please note that Northern Trust is unable to provide employment permit sponsorship for this role. This includes Critical Skills Employment Permits, General Employment Permits, Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permits, Stamp 1G permissions, and other employment permits under Irish immigration frameworks.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [e-mail], or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.